Auto Shanghai 2025: New 2026 Lexus ES Saloon Bows With HEV & EV Power
New all-electric Lexus ES350e FWD and ES500e AWD variants pictured.
Following a brief teaser released last week, Toyota’s luxury arm Lexus took centre stage in its booth for Press Day at Auto Shanghai 2025 earlier today to debut the new eighth-generation Lexus ES saloon line-up.
According to Lexus, the new eigth-gen ES has been endowed with advances in "ride quality, comfort and quietness" over its predecessor. The marque adds that the ES has also been designed to offer "first-class comfort for everyone on board".
The sharp new exterior design masks the fact that the Lexus ES has significantly grown in size - it's now 165 MM longer with an 80 MM wheelbase stretch, 55 MM wider, and between 110 MM and 115 MM taller.
Visually, the styling of the new ES is based on the brand’s new ‘Clean Tech x Elegance’ design concept. Much of the saloon's new look is also heavily inspired by the LF-ZC concept EV, and features a newly reworked spindle grille design, L-shaped headlights, and single taillight bar.
The design changes masks the fact that the new Lexus ES has grown in size significantly. It now sits 5,140 MM long with a 2,950 MM wheelbase, 1,920 MM wide, and between 1,555 MM and 1,560 MM tall. Overall, this saloon is now 165 MM longer with an 80 MM stretched wheelbase, 55 MM wider, and between 110 MM and 115 MM taller than before.
On board, the new ES' cabin sports redesigned seats that promises enhanced comfort levels. Displays are handled by both a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel whereas higher-end guises now sport a massive new 14-inch Lexus connect infotainment unit.
Moving into the cabin and it appears that Lexus has elected to fashion the ES’ innards with a clean, minimalist approach designed seamlessly to limit driver’s attention and movement.
Tasked with display duties are both a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel plus a new 14-inch LexusConnect infotainment unit, the latter paired with a top-shelf Mark Levinson surround audio system. Notable here too are the redesigned seats delivering enhanced comforts. As for safety, the Lexus Safety System+ (LSS+) ADAS suite will be a standard feature across the board.
Visually, the HEV and EV variants are easily set apart by the presence or absence of a slit grille in the front fascia. Aptly, EV variants like the ES350e FWD (right) make do without said opening up front.
Critically, the 2026 Lexus ES is set to be offered with both hybrid (HEV) and fully-electric (EV) powertrain choices under the hood. Visually, both variants are set apart by the presence or absence of a slit grille in its front fascia – aptly, the EV variant makes do without it.
Hybrid variants, namely the ES300h and ES350h, will come powered by a 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre 4-cyl petrol powerplants respectively paired with an ECVT automatic transmission, the former offering up to 200 HP and 245 HP respectively. Additionally, both will also see front- (FWD) and all-wheel-drive (AWD) setups available too.
Battery capacity wasn't disclosed, but Lexus did instead tout that EV variants of the new ES can draw in up to 150 kW of DC charging inputs to yield CLTC-rated ranges of up to 685 KM and 610 KM.
EV variants consists of the ES350e FWD guise with a reported 222 HP output and a higher-end ES500e AWD sporting a peppier 338 HP. Both underpin the new Lexus global architecture-K platform that features new eAxles – Toyota’s new e-motor with a unique design that integrates both the power control unit and transaxle.
Lexus didn’t disclose exact battery capacities for either, but both are set to share the same battery pack given Lexus’ claims of their shared ability to draw up to 150 kW DC charging inputs to enable 10-80% re-charges as quickly as 30 minutes.
The new eighth-gen Lexus ES line-up is set to see phased roll-outs across various regions and markets starting middle of this year.
Critically, Lexus did also disclose claimed range figures of up to 685 KM (ES250e FWD) and 610 KM (ES500e AWD). However, these are CLTC-rated figures, so expect these to be lower on the arguably more realistic NEDC and WLTP cycles.
Following its debut at Auto Shanghai 2025, the new 2026 Lexus ES range will see phased rollouts across various regions starting from the middle of this year. No doubt, the new eighth-generation Lexus ES will serves as an important shift for Lexus towards an electrified future.
Gallery




































































































Written By
Thoriq Azmi
Former DJ turned driver, rider and story-teller. I drive, I ride, and I string words together about it all. [#FuelledByThoriq] IG: https://www.instagram.com/fuelledbythoriq/
JPJ Running Numbers
KUALA LUMPUR
VPL9471
SELANGOR
BSG6456
JOHOR
JYE2842
PULAU PINANG
PRS8561
PERAK
ANY4859
PAHANG
CFC9138
KEDAH
KGB5694
NEGERI SEMBILAN
NEG5913
KOTA KINABALU
SJL9999*
KUCHING
QAB7831L
Last updated 30 Jul, 2025
Fuel Price
Petrol
RON 95
RM 2.05
RON 97
RM 3.17
-0.04
RON 100
RM 5.00
VPR
RM 6.23
Diesel
EURO 5 B10
RM 2.91
EURO 5 B7
RM 3.11
Last updated 31 Jul, 2025
Related News
Auto Shanghai 2025: Nissan Frontier Pro Debuts as Brand’s First PHEV
Silently making its global debut at Auto Shanghai 2025 is the new Nissan Frontier Pro—the brand’s first PHEV model.
29-04-2025
Auto Shanghai 2025: Geely Panda Knight: A Perfect Urban EV?
Geely Panda Knight charms with rugged styling and promising affordability, but can you look past its basic airbag offering?
28-04-2025
Auto Shanghai 2025: BMW Vision Driving Experience Stuns With Wall-Climb Feat
BMW Vision Driving Experience concept stuns at Auto Shanghai 2025 with wall-climb stunt to showcase new ‘Heart of Joy’ control unit.
27-04-2025
Mercedes-Benz Vision V Concept Previews Future Space-Age VIP EV Vans Line
New Mercedes-Benz Vision V Concept bows at Auto Shanghai 2025, previews upcoming VLE and VLS luxury EV vans.
25-04-2025
Auto Shanghai 2025: Refreshed Chery Tiggo 8 PHEV Shown, Coming To Malaysia 'Very Soon'
Updated and electrified new Chery Tiggo 8 facelift with new PHEV heart shown at Auto Shanghai 2025, and it’s hinted for entry in Malaysia ‘very soon’.
25-04-2025
Auto Shanghai 2025: Geely Starship 7 EM-i PHEV Showcased
Geely Starship 7 EM-i on show during Auto Shanghai 2025 gives us a glimpse of the Proton e.MAS 7’s PHEV ‘twin’.
25-04-2025
Auto Shanghai 2025: Chery Himla Pick-Up Truck Brand Unveiled
Chery took the Auto Shanghai 2025 stage to unveil its new global pick-up truck sub-brand known as Himla.
25-04-2025
Major Brands Skip Shanghai Auto Show Due To Market Woes, EV shift
Some major brands skip the Shanghai Auto Show due to fierce competition, the EV transition, and market woes.
24-04-2025
Latest News
New Brabus 1000 Is Effectively A ‘Hyper-PHEV’ With 1,000 PS & 1,620NM!
New Brabus 1000 sees tuner inject steroids into Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance Coupe for 1,000 PS and 16,20 NM outputs!
30-07-2025
Stellantis Braces For US$1.4 Billion Hit From Tariffs In Its H2 2025 Earnings
Stellantis vows to reconnect with customers as it flags US$1.4 billion US tariff hit to its H2 2025 earnings.
30-07-2025
Next-Gen Mitsubishi Pajero Rendered Based On Latest Spyshots
Next-gen Mitsubishi Pajero rendered based on recent sightings of prototypes being tested in Europe.
30-07-2025
Report: Maserati Mulling New Manual Super-GT Flagship
Maserati reportedly mulling a new limited-run supercar featuring manual box, and it could be twinned with Alfa Romeo too.
30-07-2025
Chinese Lawmakers, Automakers Building Centralised Digital Car Sales Platform
16 Chinese automakers are getting together with lawmakers, regulators to build a centralised digital car sales platform.
29-07-2025
Mercedes Concept AMG GT Track Sport Teases New V8 GT Supercar
New Mercedes Concept AMG GT Track Sport teaser hides upcoming new V8 GT supercar offering.
28-07-2025
Updated 2025 GWM Tank 500 PHEV Unveiled in China
GWM has unveiled the updated version of the Tank 500 PHEV in China, set to go on sale later in August.
28-07-2025
Hongqi Confirms Singapore Launch, Malaysia Next?
With Hongqi entering Singapore in 2026, speculation now rife that Malaysia could be next.
28-07-2025
Show More
trending_flat