New Lexus ES Looks Like A Totally Different Car

Update: Lexus has clarified that the term “global flagship,” used in its press release to describe the new ES, does not signal a replacement for any other vehicle. Instead, it simply means the ES is considered a “core model for the brand”.

Lexus is beginning to lift the curtain on the next-generation ES, releasing an official teaser ahead of its full debut. The luxury sedan will be unveiled on April 23 at the Shanghai Auto Show in China, with a phased rollout expected in other global markets, including Europe and the US.

More: 2026 Lexus RZ Gets Yoked Steer-By-Wire And Simulated Gears

Interestingly, the new ES is being billed as a “global flagship”. From the teaser image, it looks like the updated sedan will adopt a sleeker, more aerodynamic shape, including a fastback-style roofline that brings a more modern edge to its silhouette.

Design Evolution

Up front, the ES features a redesigned LED headlight setup split into two elements, along with a new take on Lexus’ signature spindle grille. The rear showcases full-width taillights, sculpted shoulders, and faux vents. Large-diameter, multi-spoke alloy wheels round out the updated look, giving the sedan a more upscale and assertive stance.

This version of the ES seems notably more evolved than the earlier concept previewed in 2021, moving further away from its long-running predecessor. For context, the outgoing ES has been in production since 2018, receiving a facelift in 2021 and a second update in late 2024, specifically for the Chinese market.

Electrification and Platform Speculation

Lexus says the new ES “refines advanced electrification technologies and pursues further evolution of the hallmark quietness and ride comfort.” While exact powertrain details haven’t been disclosed, previous trademarks suggest the lineup could include both hybrid and fully electric variants.

At the moment, it is not clear if the ES will ride on new underpinnings, or an evolved version of the existing TNGA-K architecture which is shared with the Toyota Camry.

Besides China, arguably the most important sedan market, Lexus has confirmed that the new ES will be available in Europe. As for North America, Leigh Anne Sessions, Senior Manager, Lexus Communications, shared the following statement: “The ES is one of the core models for Lexus in the US, and we’ll have updates to share about the vehicle for our market soon” hinting at an imminent reveal.

What About The Lexus LS?

The decision to label the ES as Lexus’ new “global flagship” naturally sparked speculation about the future of the LS, the brand’s longstanding top-tier sedan. When we reached out to a local Lexus representative for clarification, here’s what they had to say:

“The phrase global flagship indicates that a vehicle it is a core model for the brand, and the ES fits this description, as it was launched the same time as LS and is one of our best-selling models globally. We do not have any LS news to share at this time.”

More: Lexus Plots 3-Row Electric SUV To Take On The Kia EV9

While this doesn’t give us a clear answer about the LS’s long-term future, it does confirm that, for now at least, the flagship sedan isn’t going anywhere.

As the brand’s first production model, the LS has been a key part of the lineup since 1989, spanning five generations. The current LS debuted in 2017 and received a facelift in 2020, meaning that it’s nearing the end of its lifecycle. Despite its presence in Japan, China, and parts of Europe, the LS was recently dropped from the UK market due to weak sales.