There’s a new-generation Lexus ES hybrid arriving in Australia, but the even bigger news is the arrival of new electric versions of the Japanese luxury brand’s large sedan.
Not only is this the first electric ES, it’s the first electric sedan from Lexus.
The new eighth-generation ES is being launched in Australia imminently, with Lexus saying it’s arriving “in the middle of this year”. Electric variants will be available first, with the hybrid ES300h following later in the year.
Looking for your next car? We’ll help you research and compare so you choose with confidence.
ES300h
Pricing for the base ES300h Luxury is up by $9460 compared with the outgoing model, at $75,000 before on-road costs, but surprisingly the electric ES350e Sports Luxury has been priced just $2000 higher than the entry-level variant despite its electric powertrain and a wealth of extra standard equipment.
The dual-motor all-wheel drive ES500e Sports Luxury – the first all-wheel drive ES ever offered in Australia – is priced at $84,000 before on-road costs.
The new ES rides an updated version of the GA-K platform used by the outgoing model, with various enhancements made to increase rigidity.
The trailing arm rear suspension has also been swapped for a multi-link setup that’s said to improve ride comfort and refinement.
ES350e
Lexus engineers have also improved the soundproofing to make the cabin even more serene.
The new ES is the first Lexus with the new Arene software platform, which promises improved processing power and expanded over-the-air software update functionality.
The touchscreen has grown from 12.3 to 14 inches, and now incorporates the climate controls. It also features a new cloud-based satellite navigation system, customisable widgets, embedded Spotify, and an improved voice assistant.
An Embedded Drive Recorder allows the vehicle to capture and save footage from its exterior cameras, supporting continuous loop recording, manual recording, and incident-triggered clips. Footage can be accessed, reviewed and exported using the touchscreen.
ES500e
The digital instrument cluster adopts an unusual shape, but now allows you to choose between six different layouts including a full-screen map view.
‘Hidden’ switches can be found on the steering wheel and on the centre stack, illuminating when your finger approaches them.
The safety suite has been expanded, with front cross-traffic alert joining the equipment list and the rear cross-traffic alert now able to detect crossing bicycles.
The list of safety upgrades also includes the introduction of a brand-first emergency driving stop system, which issues audible and visual warnings if it doesn’t detect any driver inputs for a certain period of time while the adaptive cruise control and lane-centring functions are active.
ES500e
If the driver remains unresponsive, the system can bring the vehicle to a gradual halt with the hazard lights on and the doors unlocked, and use the automatic SOS emergency call function to alert authorities.
The emergency call function is part of a suite of features under the Lexus Connected Emergency banner, with functions like this, remote viewing of the battery charge, fuel level or vehicle location, and automatic collision notification remaining complimentary for the life of the vehicle or until the sunset of the 5G network.
Other features are available under a five-year complimentary subscription to Lexus Connected+, including remote control of the locks, climate control, lights and horn, as well as stolen vehicle tracking. This suite of features is available for $9.95 per month following the end of the complimentary period.
This is the eighth generation of the ES, but only the sixth to be sold here since the nameplate debuted locally in 1992. Australia skipped the first-generation model, a rebadged Toyota Camry Prominent sold in the US market, plus the left-hand drive-only fifth generation.
PricingModelPrice before on-road costs
2026 Lexus ES300h Luxury
$75,000
2026 Lexus ES350e Sports Luxury
$77,000
2026 Lexus ES300h Luxury with Enhancement Pack
$82,000
2026 Lexus ES500e Sports Luxury
$84,000
Drivetrains and Efficiency
All Lexus ES sedans are based on Toyota’s TNGA-K platform, and feature MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension.
ES500e
The ES300h features two-piston front brake calipers with 328x28mm ventilated discs, and single-piston rear calipers with 317x18mm vented discs. EV variants step up to larger 340x38mm front and 338x18mm rear rotors.
The flagship ES500e features the DIRECT4 all-wheel drive system, which by default has torque distribution of between 80:20 and 25:75 per cent front/rear during cornering. However, drive torque can be distributed between 100:0 and 0:100 per cent.
It also features Interactive Manual Drive, which simulates the gear shifts of a combustion-powered vehicle. You can shift between eight simulated gears using the paddle shifters that are usually used to adjust regenerative braking, and there are synthetic sounds and a simulated tachometer.
Specifications
ES300h
ES350e
ES500e
Drivetrain
2.5L 4cyl hybrid
Single electric motor
Dual electric motors
Engine outputs
105kW + 227Nm
–
–
Electric motor outputs
150kW + 270Nm
167kW + 269Nm
167kW + 269Nm – front
88kW + 170Nm – rear
System outputs
144kW
165kW
252kW
Battery
Lithium-ion
74.7kWh lithium-ion
74.7kWh lithium-ion
Transmission
e-CVT
–
–
Drive type
Front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive
All-wheel drive
Kerb weight
1825kg
2180kg
2280kg
0-100km/h (claimed)
7.7 seconds
8.0 seconds
5.5 seconds
Fuel economy (claimed)
4.5L/100km
–
–
Electric driving range (WLTP)
–
510km
465km
Electric energy consumption (WLTP)
16.4kWh/100km
17.9kWh/100km
Max AC charge rate
–
22kW
22kW
Max DC charge rate
–
150kW
150kW
Fuel tank capacity
55L
–
–
Fuel requirement
95-octane premium unleaded
–
–
CO2 emissions
103g/km
–
–
Emissions standard
Euro 6E-bis
–
–
Dimensions
Depending on the variant, the new Lexus ES is 170mm longer, 55mm wider and up to 115mm taller than its predecessor, which was classified as a mid-size sedan, while the wheelbase has also grown by 80mm. It remains to be seen whether the new ES, which now spans more than five metres long, is classed as a large sedan.
ES500eDimensionsES300h
ES350e/ES500e
Length
5145mm
5145mm
Width
1920mm
1920mm
Height
1555mm
1560mm
Wheelbase
2950mm
2950mm
Cargo capacity
493L
517L
Servicing and Warranty
Lexus backs its vehicles with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. It has yet to announce service pricing for the new ES.
Safety
The Lexus ES has yet to be independently tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP.
ES350e
Standard safety equipment includes:
Adaptive cruise controlAutonomous emergency braking (AEB)Vehicle, pedestrian, motorcycle and bicyclist detectionIntersection assistLow-speed acceleration suppressionEmergency steering assistBlind-spot monitoringDriver monitoring systemEmergency driving stop systemFront cross-traffic alertFront and rear parking support brake (AEB for low-speed collision detection)Lane-keep assistLane-centringRear cross-traffic alertSafe exit assistTraffic sign recognitionFront and rear parking sensorsReversing camera
All bar the base ES300h (without the Enhancement Pack) also feature a surround-view camera.
Standard Equipment
There are four members of the new-generation ES lineup.
ES300h
The ES300h Luxury comes standard with the following equipment:
19-inch alloy wheelsTyre repair kitPanoramic glass roof with power sunshadePower boot-lidAutomatic LED headlightsAutomatic high-beamPower-folding exterior mirrorsProximity entry and startRain-sensing wipers12.3-inch digital instrument cluster14-inch touchscreen infotainment systemWireless Apple CarPlay and Android AutoSatellite navigationDAB+ digital radioEmbedded drive recorder5 x USB-C portsLexus Connected Services10-speaker sound systemNuLux leatherette upholsteryHeated front seats8-way power-adjustable front seats with 2-way driver lumbarHeated, NuLux-wrapped steering wheelPower tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustmentDual-zone climate controlSingle-colour ambient lightingElectrochromatic rear-view mirrorStainless steel scuff platesRear centre armrest with cupholders
The ES300h Luxury with Enhancement Pack adds:
Semi-autonomous parking assistAuto-dimming driver’s exterior mirror with rear link and memoryDigital key with NFC cardHead-up displayDigital rear-view mirrorPerforated NuLux upholsteryVentilated front seatsDriver’s seat memory2-way power passenger seat lumbar adjustment17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system with illuminated speaker grillesWireless phone chargerMulti-colour ambient lighting
ES350e
The ES350e Sports Luxury adds:
21-inch alloy wheelsAdaptive suspension’Easy close doors’Active sound control’High-grade’ LED headlights with cornering and ‘multi-weather’ lightsAdaptive high-beamSemi-aniline leather-accented upholstery10-way power driver’s seat with memory8-way power passenger seat with memory4-way front lumbar adjustment with driver calf length adjustmentMulti-colour interior illumination with ‘surface emission lighting’Rear door sunshades2 x front wireless phone chargers
The ES500e Sports Luxury adds:
Colours
The ES can be had with a choice of Black, White or Hazel upholstery.
There’s a choice of seven exterior paint colours. These are:
White NovaSonic IridiumSonic TitaniumSonic ChromeGraphite BlackSonic CopperWavelength
The latter is a new finish for Lexus, which the brand describes as “a blue hue with a solid look that shimmers in the light”.