Lexus is in the process of developing a new version of its ES sedan, poised to showcase a refreshed exterior design and introduce options for electric powertrains. While no spy shots have surfaced yet, a teaser released by the Lexus group in December 2021 offered a glimpse of a sedan with a strikingly similar profile. Leveraging this teaser, digital artist Nikita Chuicko created renderings commissioned by Kolesa, providing potential insights into the upcoming Lexus ES’s appearance.
In these speculative illustrations, the midsize sedan presents a sleeker front fascia compared to its current iteration, notably without the signature spindle grille. Instead, a slim horizontal grille connects to redesigned headlights featuring simplified shapes and updated LED graphics. The bumper is more contoured, showcasing triangular intakes accentuated by thin chrome bezels. Moving to the rear, the renderings propose full-width LED taillights, a pronounced spoiler, and a revised bumper.
Despite these alterations, the teaser suggests that the new Lexus ES will maintain its current side profile and greenhouse, indicating a substantial facelift rather than a complete redesign. This aligns with the approach taken by its Toyota counterpart, the Camry, which recently underwent a similar refresh for its ninth generation.
Lexus’s recent models and concept cars have showcased the brand’s gradual evolution towards a cleaner design language. Accordingly, the styling of the next-gen Lexus ES is expected to adopt a more streamlined and universally appealing approach, catering to traditional sedan buyers with understated elegance.
While the new Lexus ES is likely to retain the existing TNGA-K platform, recent patent filings suggest significant changes to the powertrain lineup. The ES350e and ES500e variants are anticipated to offer fully electric powertrains, marking a first for the nameplate. Additionally, the ES350h could receive a new self-charging hybrid setup with AWD capability.
As of now, Lexus has not specified a debut date for the new ES lineup. Given the timeline of previous generations, it’s plausible that the new iteration could be unveiled by early 2025, potentially as a model year 2025 or 2026 release.
