• by Tanya Gazdik , Staff Writer, June 1, 2026

The sedan is not dead, especially not at Lexus.

The luxury brand is offering three powertrain options for its completely updated ES. 

Customers who want a gas-powered vehicle can pick the eighth generation ES with a reimagined 2026 ES hybrid engine (ES 350h). 

For those ready to make the leap to electric, they can choose one of the first ES battery electric vehicle models: ES 350e and ES 500e.

I had the opportunity to drive all three and it would be hard for me to recommend one over the other unless I could have a conversation with the buyer about their driving habits and needs. The vehicles are virtually carbon copies of each other. 

The multipathway vehicle platform shared by the three models is a first not only for ES but also the Lexus brand. All vehicles share the same platform and overall design except for minor model-specific details.

Marketing for the ES, which launches later this month, will highlight both exterior and interior design, and will include extended test drives to help customers make informed decisions, says Cynthia Tenhouse, Lexus vice president marketing.

“Our belief is, it's going to really appeal to the loyal owners, and then we're also going to be able to conquest and bring new new people in to the brand,” Tenhouse tells DriveTime. “Over the last two years, we’ve been working really hard, from a marketing perspective, to take our product to where these young, affluent buyers are.”

Younger buyers might still associate the Lexus brand with the car their parents had, not today’s “sexy and cool” models like the GX, she says. 

“So we had this realization of like, hey, we need to start to take our product out and take it to buzzworthy events and cultural moments, and get people into our product — people who would never consider Lexus [before],” Tenhouse says. 

Last year, Lexus had one of its highest conquest rates at 59%.

“We have this really strong loyal following, and we didn't lose the loyal owners, we just added,” she says. “So I think ES will just continue that. I think there's still people who love cars, and this is to me a home run for a sedan.”

The campaign will focus on the ES with language to show there are powertrain choices. 

The dealership experience is important for consumers struggling to make the choice between gas and EV, according to Tenhouse. “They can help guide someone and say, ‘Okay, you came in, you want the ES, and you just think you want the hybrid. But have you looked at the battery electric? And let's talk about both, and let's talk about your lifestyle and, like, see what fits you the best,’” she says. 

For those on the fence who aren't current EV owners, they can do an extended test drive, which is a new program. 

“Take it home for two days,” she says. “The early adopters won't need it. They know it fits their lifestyle. But for people who are on the fence, they're first time battery electric buyers, take it home for two days and see what you think. And if it's not a buy, you can return it. It's literally just take one home and see if you like it, and if you don't, we have a hybrid.”

Lexus wants customers to get what they want, to feel good about it, and to make an educated choice. 

“It's hard with something that's such a lifestyle choice, it's hard to know," Tenhouse says. "So take it and see how it works with your daily commute. With charging and all of those things, does it fit?”