Auto Shanghai 2025: New Lexus ES Teased Ahead Of Debut

Lexus is set to unveil the eighth-generation ES sedan on April 23, 2025, at the Auto Shanghai Motor Show. The current seventh-generation model debuted in 2018 at Auto China in Beijing and received facelifts in 2021 and 2024. With seven years under its belt, the ES is now poised for a full model change.

Ahead of its official premiere, Lexus has released teaser images of the upcoming ES, offering a glimpse into the design direction of the new model. The silhouette suggests a more coupe-like profile, with a noticeably more sloped roofline than its predecessor. The front fascia features updated LED daytime running lights styled in a “Nike-like swoosh” design, reminiscent of those seen on the Lexus RZ. These DRLs sit above a new headlamp configuration that incorporates black trim elements, adding a sportier visual character.

At the rear, the design language continues with a full-width light bar that integrates with slim taillights. Notably, the third brake light has been relocated to the base of the rear window—an indication that, despite the coupe-like profile, the ES will retain its traditional sedan layout rather than transition to a five-door liftback format.

Lexus describes the new ES as a “global flagship model,” a designation that raises questions about the positioning of the larger LS sedan, which has seen declining sales and was recently discontinued in the UK. The ES's elevated status could signal a shift in Lexus' product strategy, potentially broadening the ES’s role in the global market.

The company also emphasised advancements in electrification, noting that the new ES will refine its electric drivetrain technology while maintaining the model’s signature ride comfort and quietness. Teaser images appear to show charge ports on both front fenders, suggesting that the new model may be offered with a plug-in hybrid or even a fully electric variant. These would join the lineup alongside the existing hybrid powertrains.

Further technical details, including powertrain specifications and interior updates, remain under wraps. Lexus is expected to reveal full information when the ES makes its world debut at Auto Shanghai next week.