• Lexus has reserved model names indicating changes for its ES sedan
The ES sedan is sometimes forgotten within the Lexus family, it works discreetly and has attracted a loyal clientele for more than 20 years. Its vocation would be expected to change in the medium term, if we rely on the fact that Lexus has reserved some model names indicating future changes.
Concretely, the company has reserved the names ES 350h, ES 350e and ES 500e. At the moment, the range counts on the ES 300h, ES 250 and ES 350. In the case of the transition from ES 300h to ES 350h, we simply guess an adjustment of the mechanics and the hybrid system of the model, which would probably offer more power. As for the 350e and 500e designations, the letter “e” indicates an electrical solution to the animation.
This would therefore mean the withdrawal of the gasoline versions only, while two electric variants could be added to the range.
Obviously, everything is speculative, but it’s kind of our job to look to the future.
This is not a surprise, however, because Lexus had promised us a mid-size electric sedan as early as December 2021, during a presentation of the brand’s electric future.
Photo: D. Boshouwers
The 2022 Lexus ES
It will also be necessary to see what electric approach would be reserved for a possible battery-powered ES. Lexus currently offers only one electric model, the RZ 450e, cousin of the Toyota bZ4X. We guess that an electric Lexus ES could benefit from a new electric platform, but nothing has yet been announced, neither from Toyota nor from Lexus.
See: Lexus RZ450e 2023 first test: Lexus’ turn to enter the electric arena
Nothing, either, on the timetable. However, it should be sooner rather than later. The current ES sedan was launched for the 2019 year. It has since been upgraded, but it’s clear that a new generation must be in the works, or at least a passably updated version.
Toyota’s new fifth-generation hybrid system, which powers the new 2025 Toyota Camry, could debut soon for the ES 350h model. We’ll have to see about the electric variants, but that gives us something to watch out for from Lexus.
Lexus plans to offer an electric solution for each of its models by 2030. It has already announced that 2035 would be the tipping point towards an all-electric family.
