Lexus ES 2026: electric luxury sedan confirmed for Oz in Q3 this year

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Lexus Australia has confirmed that the all-new ES four-door sedan will arrive in Australia in Q3 this year, debuting the first-ever fully electric version of the stalwart nameplate first released by the Japanese premium marque globally way back in 1990 (and 1992 for Oz).  

The BEV variants will join petrol-electric hybrid versions of the new ES, offering buyers a choice of two powertrain types.

Unveiled at the Shanghai International Automobile show in April last year, the new-generation ES is built off a “redesigned” GA-K platform developed to support both HEV and BEV powertrain choices. 

The global Lexus menu currently offers two BEV configurations: a single-motor front-wheel-drive ES 350e trim producing 165kW with a claimed peak WLTP range of 582km, and a 252kW (combined) dual-motor ES 500e capped at 519km.

US-market versions currently fit a 74.7kWh lithium-ion battery for both configurations, with Lexus quoting a best-case 10-80-percent DC charging time of 30 minutes at a 150kW peak rate. Performance is 8.9sec (FWD) and 5.9sec (AWD) for the 0-100km/h measure. 

The 500e, easily the quickest ES for the forthcoming range, can continuously vary the torque distribution of its dual-axle ‘Direct4’ drive from 100 percent front to 100 percent rear. 

While Lexus Australia hasn’t confirmed exact local choice or specifications for the local ES release, the sedan is also offered in some markets in ES 300h (145kW-148kW 2.0L HEV) and ES 350h (182kW 2.5L HEV) trim grades.

The strut front, multi-link rear chassis is optionally available in some markets with Dynamic Rear Steering and Adaptive Variable Suspension damping, depending on the variant.  

Longer (by 165mm) and with more wheelbase (by 80mm) than the outgoing generation released locally in 2018, the “lower, sleeker” ES apes the LF-ZC concept car with more angular, less curvaceous ‘Spindle Body’ exterior design. 

A rethink of interior design introduces a simpler, more minimalist approach, with higher seating and revised ergonomics due to the addition of the underfloor battery pack. 

If US spec is mirrored locally, the ES will feature 12.3-inch driver and 14.0-inch touchscreen interior tech, as well as a new Response Hidden Switches format for buttons and controls to replace the age-old ‘click’ button convention. 

User-selectable Sensory Concierge modes that tie together the functionality of media, climate control, ambient lighting and automated (air bladder) seat cushioning could also make their way into localised specification once the ES arrives Down Under before the end of September. 

The new-gen ES will follow in the wheel tracks of the updated – new battery, more powerful, faster-charging – RZ electric crossover, which will hit local showrooms in May and will debut the first-ever fully electric Lexus F-Sport model in the RZ 550e.