SHANGHAI – In a world where sedans are either going extinct or hitting the gym for an SUV makeover, Lexus just sent a sharply dressed, electrified reminder that the classic luxury sedan is alive, well, and now… trunkless. Meet the all-new 2026 Lexus ES, unveiled at the Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition – a suave eighth-generation stunner that’s part executive suite, part spaceship.
The ES, which once played the role of the silent diplomat in Lexus’ garage, has clearly had a glow-up. It now arrives with not just a new wardrobe, but a whole new identity – offered as both a hybrid (HEV) and a battery electric vehicle (BEV), with your choice of front- or all-wheel drive. It’s the first Lexus sedan to undergo such a multipowertrain metamorphosis, signaling that the brand’s “Lexus Electrified” vision is now strutting confidently down the red carpet.
From Trunk to Hunk
Gone is the traditional boot – or at least, it’s now so sleekly integrated you’ll barely notice it. In its place? A sculpted, trunkless rear that looks like it belongs on a concept car you’d see in sci-fi movies (and then never in production). The exterior design follows Lexus’ LF-ZC design philosophy, which stands for “Look Fabulous, Zoom Clean” (okay, it’s actually “Lexus Future Zero-emission Catalyst,” but yours sounds more fun).
With millimeter-level precision, the designers have sculpted a sedan that’s low, wide, and full of presence. The new Twin L-Signature Lamps at the rear will ensure everyone you pass knows: “Yes, this is a Lexus. And yes, it’s electrified royalty.”
Cabin of Curated Calm
Step inside, and the new ES doesn’t whisper luxury – it sings it with a surround-sound Mark Levinson® symphony. The cabin now features Bamboo Layering, embossed synthetic leather, and enough ambient lighting themes to give a five-star spa some competition. For the rear-seat VIPs, the new Executive Package turns the back bench into a wellness retreat with reclining massage chairs and even a passenger-side ottoman – because why should front-seat drivers have all the fun?
Dashboard? More like Command Deck
The ES’s tazuna-inspired cockpit (tazuna is Japanese for “reins”) is driver-focused without being flashy – think understated elegance with a 14-inch touchscreen and dual Bluetooth connectivity, so you and your passenger can both play DJ (or argue about podcasts). The Lexus Interface now features an improved voice assistant and split-screen capability, so even your infotainment gets multitasking done in style.
Power Plays: Hybrids and BEVs, Oh My!
The ES 350h hybrid is still the strong, silent type – now with optional AWD and more power thanks to a sixth-gen 2.5L hybrid system. But the real showstoppers are the new ES 350e and ES 500e – full battery electric sedans that promise a buttery-smooth ride, whisper-quiet cabins, and a manufacturer-estimated 300-mile range for the 350e.
Want more grip and go? The 500e gets DIRECT4, Lexus’ clever AWD system that can throw 100% torque to the front or rear as needed – perfect for when the weather turns, or when you’re late for your board meeting and yoga class.
Safety First, Elegance Second (Just Kidding – Both Are First)
The new ES debuts Lexus Safety System+ 4.0, the brand’s most advanced safety suite yet. It’s got better hardware, better detection, and probably better instincts than half the drivers on your morning commute.
If the old ES was a quiet achiever in a sharp suit, the new one is that same executive – only now they’ve ditched the briefcase for a carbon-fiber laptop, taken up meditation, and learned how to drift. Coming to showrooms next year, the 2026 Lexus ES promises to be a sedan for those who believe luxury shouldn’t shout – but it should hum, preferably in EV mode.
