Zakirin
The highly anticipated eighth-generation Lexus ES appears to be arriving on local shores very soon. Lexus Malaysia has officially dropped a teaser on its social media channels, giving eager fans a glimpse of the all-new executive sedan.
The dark teaser image specifically highlights the rear end of the car, showcasing a striking full-width LED taillight bar complete with illuminated ‘Lexus’ lettering glowing prominently in the center. This rear light signature unmistakably belongs to the all-new ES, which made its global debut at the Auto Shanghai motor show last year.
While the teaser stops short of confirming an official launch date, the messaging strongly suggests that a local introduction is imminent.
New Architecture and Significantly Larger Dimensions
The 2026 Lexus ES marks a major leap forward for the model, built on a new “multi-pathway” platform—an evolution of the brand’s TNGA GA-K architecture. This modern chassis was specifically engineered to accommodate both hybrid and fully electric powertrains for the first time in the model’s history.
In terms of physical footprint, the new executive sedan has grown substantially across all dimensions. It now measures 5,140 mm long (+165 mm), 1,920 mm wide (+55 mm), and 1,555 mm tall (+110 mm), with a significantly stretched 2,950 mm wheelbase (+80 mm).
Visually, it represents a clean break from the outgoing generation. Taking heavy design inspiration from the futuristic LF-ZC concept, the new ES sports a sleek fastback profile and slim, aggressive twin L-shaped headlamps. To differentiate between powertrains, the EV variants feature a smooth, nearly blanked-off front nose, whereas the hybrid models retain a lower air intake grille for cooling.
Hybrid and Fully Electric Powertrains
Globally, the new ES is offered with highly advanced electrified powertrains:
- Hybrid (ES 350h): Utilizes the sixth-generation Lexus hybrid system, pairing a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with electric motors to produce a total system output of 244 hp. For the first time, all-wheel drive is also available on the hybrid setup.
- Battery Electric (ES 350e & ES 500e): Both fully electric variants draw power from a large 74.7 kWh lithium-ion battery pack mounted directly into the floor. The front-wheel-drive ES 350e produces 221 hp, while the flagship ES 500e utilizes dual motors and the brand’s DIRECT4 all-wheel-drive system to deliver a robust 338 hp, allowing it to sprint from 0-96 km/h (60 mph) in just 5.1 seconds.
Minimalist Interior and High-Tech Upgrades
Inside the cabin, Lexus has embraced a minimalist, tech-forward design language. The traditional dashboard is replaced with a clean layout dominated by a 12.3-inch digital instrument display for the driver and a massive 14-inch central infotainment touchscreen running the latest Lexus Interface software.
Safety remains paramount, with the new ES equipped with the comprehensive Lexus Safety System+ 4.0, offering the brand’s most advanced suite of active driver assistance technologies to date.
Will Malaysia Get the Electric ES?
The outgoing generation of the Lexus ES (the ES 250) sold in Malaysia has historically been a strictly petrol-only affair, currently priced between RM320,888 and RM371,888.
However, with right-hand-drive production of the all-new model currently ramping up globally—and the electric ES already officially confirmed for the Australian market in the third quarter of this year—the timing aligns perfectly for a local debut. Whether Lexus Malaysia decides to introduce the hybrid, the full EV, or a combination of both remains to be seen.
