A Stylish and Emotional Ride: The 2026 Lexus ES Premiere
Luxury sedan Lexus ES makes bold debut in Europe, showcasing its colorful and sculpted design.
By: Patrick Broich 💻📞💬📩🔗
Get ready to navigate the roads in style! The 2026 Lexus ES business-class sedan is here, and it's more emotional than ever before.
Traditionally, Germany may not be a major market for Lexus, but that doesn't stop the sedan from delivering an emotional punch. The latest ES, with its exquisite design, leaves you yearning for the powertrain under its hood. But will it be powerful enough to match our driving expectations?
Some History Cars Forget
While the ES wasn't originally available in Germany, it was never a series with large engines, unlike its counterpart, the GS, which used six cylinders. Interestingly, Lexus opted to develop and modernize the ES instead of the GS for the European market.
Lexus plows ahead - ES goes electric
The top ES model ditches the traditional gasoline engine in favor of electrifying power. Dubbed the ES 500e, it's a fully electric vehicle that'll grace your waistline with 343 horsepower. Armed with all-wheel drive, it promises a 5.3-second run to 100 km/h while boasting a WLTP range of 530 kilometers.
For those who want a less intense powertrain, the ES 350e comes to save the day. With 224 horsepower, a front-wheel drive, and a 77 kWh battery pack, it'll get to 100 km/h in a modest 8.2 seconds. The electric base's WLTP range has yet to be announced.
Range-anxious buyers shouldn't fret, as the hybrid ES 300h is still in the fold. With 201 horsepower, you can have your pick between all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive, depending on your needs.
Size Matters, and so does Space
The competition's on notice, as the ES boasts a length of 5.14 meters, almost rivaling luxury class vehicles. While BMW's internal G60 5 Series offers a more spacious 3-meter wheelbase, the ES boasts a luxurious interior that's hard to beat. The elegantly crafted cabin, replete with a clean, streamlined console and ambient lighting, sure beats the traditional, cluttered setup seen in earlier Lexus models.
But don't take our word for it - feel the comfort for yourself. The ES offers generous legroom, thanks partly to its compact design of axles and intricate packaging of electrical components. Additionally, the exclusive model also features an ottoman-style rear seat with a footrest and a foldable front passenger seatback for pure relaxation during your ride.
Boosting your driving experience even further is the ES's state-of-the-art handling, thanks to a new rear axle construction and variable-ratio steering. Whether you're cruising with a chauffeur or tackling the road on your own, you can expect a smooth and refined ride.
Straightforward Infotainment Systems
Operating the infotainment system in the new ES is easier than ever, with a large central touchscreen taking center stage while physical buttons are replaced by touch-sensitive surfaces. European designers have taken charge of the interface, making it more suited to the global market.
In the electric variants, the ES features a special EV menu, allowing you to manually optimize the battery temperature before charging. It'll still take about 30 minutes for a 10-80% charge, which is admittedly no speed demon, but Lexus claims it can reach 150 kW of charging power. The competition is definitely stepping up their game in this arena, so it'll be interesting to see if Lexus can keep up.
A New Era Begins
The new, emotionally designed, and significantly enhanced Lexus ES is set to hit European roads in the spring of 2026. Get ready to experience a ride that's as stylish as it is powerful.
Source: ntv.de
- Lexus ES
- Electric Vehicles
- Automotive Industry
Detailed Info:
- Powertrains: Hybrid (ES 300h), Pure Electric (ES 350e, ES 500e)
- Hybrid Power: Next-generation hybrid system with a sixth-generation hybrid technology incorporating a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and an “eAxle” producing 243 combined horsepower [2][5].
- ES 350e: Front-wheel drive (FWD), one electric motor driving the front wheels, large-capacity battery [5].
- ES 500e: All-wheel drive (AWD), dual electric motors, Lexus Direct4 all-wheel drive system for power distribution, large-capacity battery [2][5].
- Specific range details: Not detailed for the ES 500e, while the ES 350e is estimated to offer 300 miles of range with 19-inch wheels [5].
Note: The article you have provided focuses on the overall experience of the ES, so only the necessary information has been included to complement the article and enrich the content. The exact specifications of each powertrain and the performance details have not been integrated into the article, as they may overwhelm the reader and disrupt the reading experience.
In the lineup of advancements in the 2026 Lexus ES, the community policy of embracing electric vehicles is apparent, as both the ES 350e and ES 500e models are fully electric, aligning with contemporary lifestyle preferences. One might expect this shift to also influence individual choices for vocational training, perhaps even technology and gadget-related fields, as the automotive industry evolves with electric vehicles gaining prominence. As you cruise through the city in your new ES, the sleek design and state-of-the-art infotainment system will undoubtedly be reminiscent of the latest gadgets and cars, underscoring Lexus' dedication to modern technological integrations.
