New Lexus ES to be unveiled on April 23

Toyota-owned Lexus will reveal the eighth-generation ES sedan on April 23, 2025, at the motor show in Shanghai. Lexus has released a series of teasers hinting at the upcoming model’s new design. Its interior, features and powertrain specs will be announced next week.

1. The upcoming ES gets connected tail-lights, redesigned alloy wheels
2. ES is Lexus’ flagship sedan in India and has over 50 percent share in sales 
3. The current-gen ES, launched in 2018, has received a facelift and an update

New Lexus ES teasers explained

Boomerang DRLs, rakish roofline

Lexus dubs the upcoming ES an all-new model, and based on the teasers, it’s clear that the sedan has undergone a noticeable transformation. Its headlights sport a fresh look while retaining the signature boomerang-shaped daytime running lamps (DRLs). The alloy wheels have also been restyled, and for the first time, the tail-lights are connected by a sleek LED bar. While the overall silhouette appears familiar, the new ES has a more rakish rear roofline.

New Lexus ES powertrain

New electric powertrain likely

The car in the teasers has a fender-mounted charging port lid, suggesting that it could introduce an all-electric powertrain with the new model. Autocar UK, our sister publication, confirmed that Lexus has even trademarked the ES 350e and ES 500e names, hinting at the potential for EV options – as it did with the Lexus RZ sold in international markets.

For reference, the RZ 350e features a 224hp front-wheel-drive motor paired with a 77kWh battery pack, offering up to 574km range. In comparison, the RZ 500e has a more powerful 381hp all-wheel-drive setup using the same 77kWh battery but delivering a range of over 500km. 

Lexus has also trademarked the ES 350h name, which means it will continue to be offered with a strong hybrid powertrain. The sedan may borrow the NX 350h SUV’s hybrid setup featuring a 2.5-litre petrol engine paired with two electric motors, generating a combined 243hp.

New Lexus ES launch

Lexus is expected to introduce the luxury sedan first in China, followed by other markets. Earlier this year, Lexus India president Hikaru Ikeuchi told in an interview with Autocar India that the ES sedan alone contributes to over 50 percent of the brand’s sales in the country. The current-gen ES has been on sale here since 2018 and has received a facelift and an update along the way. Given the model’s strong sales performance and its age, it is likely that Lexus will bring the new-generation ES to India as well.