2026 Lexus ES: Hybrid luxury sedan spied with refreshed styling

The updated Lexus ES has been spied in China with minor styling tweaks, though it’s unclear if more major changes lie underneath.

Images shared on Chinese social media and published by Lexus Enthusiast give us a better look at visual updates previously revealed in leaked owner’s manual illustrations.

Up front, there are revised LED daytime running lights; previous leaked images indicated there will also be a new grille texture, though the bumper looks much the same.

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Down back, there are revised tail light internals and a new light bar connecting the clusters. The Lexus logo is also gone, replaced by the company’s wordmark as on other recent Lexus products.

According to the leaked owner’s manual images, the ES appears to be getting the 14-inch infotainment touchscreen found in the NX and RX SUVs.

This incorporates climate controls but, in the updated ES, appears to have come at the expense of the analogue clock that sits next to the current model’s 12.3-inch screen.

There also appears to be a fully digital instrument cluster.

It’s unclear whether this updated ES will be exclusive to China, or if it’ll be offered globally. It also raises the question: just how long will the current ES stick around for?

The current ES entered production in 2018, a year after the Toyota Camry with which it shares its TNGA-K underpinnings.

The Camry, however, was just redesigned and, while it rides the same platform as before, it features a new look inside and out plus a new-generation hybrid system.

It’s possible the ES will also get the new fifth-generation hybrid system, even if it hasn’t received as extensive a visual overhaul.

The new Camry Hybrid produces 170kW of power while achieving combined cycle fuel economy of 4.0L/100km and emitting 91g/km of CO2.

In contrast, the current ES 300h produces 160kW and uses 4.8L/100km, emitting 109g/km.

The current ES is offered in Australia with a choice of naturally aspirated or hybrid 2.5-litre four-cylinder powertrains; a 3.5-litre V6 is also offered overseas.

Given the Camry, as with many Toyota models, has gone hybrid-only in Australia it’s possible the atmo 2.5-litre ES 250 could be given the chop.

Toyota and Lexus have also been phasing out the naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6 in favour of turbocharged and/or hybrid powertrains, potentially spelling the end of the ES 350 sold overseas.

It’s unclear if a rumoured electric ES will arrive with the current generation. Earlier this year, trademark filings were uncovered by AutoGuide, with Lexus filing to protect the ES 350e and ES 500e nameplates, in addition to ES 350h.

In 2021, Lexus released a shadowy teaser that previewed not only the LBX and TX SUVs – which at the time had yet to be revealed – but also what appeared to be revised ES.

Unlike the vehicle depicted in these owner’s manual illustrations, this vehicle appeared to have a closed-off grille and a unique front bumper, as well as L-shaped daytime running lights. It otherwise appeared to have the same body as the current ES.

Also featured in this teaser image was Lexus’ Electrified Sedan Concept, which appears to be a concept previewing an electric IS successor.

While the IS was axed here in 2021 due to stricter side impact regulations, in other markets it’s still available and serves as a sportier, rear- or all-wheel drive counterpart to the plusher front/all-wheel drive ES.

MORE: Everything Lexus ES