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What did you do with the 500h and why did you get rid of it? Just curious. I know they had some trans issues with that model.
Sold it. This works still works flawlessly except for the second immobiliser. In Europe new Toyota and Lexus models are equipped with the second immobilisation system which is crap. That is the only reason I did not keep it.
Leaving the gym this morning walking to my RX I see this white SUV. I noticed nice looking than I spot OMG the ES black plastic line on the doors and now know who Lexus is copying. Chevrolet it is a Blazer. The ES's is 4x uglier.
Sold it. This works still works flawlessly except for the second immobiliser. In Europe new Toyota and Lexus models are equipped with the second immobilisation system which is crap. That is the only reason I did not keep it.
Hi, just curious, what does 'second immobilizer' refer to? Is it a second-gen version, or an secondary immobilizer? I tried searching online but couldn’t find any info on it. Thanks.
The 7th gen ES was virtually identical between US and Chinese versions, except for the availability of the limo rear seat and unavailability of the V6 in China. So much so, they were co-introduced at concurrent press events in Shanghai and Tennessee. This time, as you know, the introduction was in Shanghai only. But I see no reason to think this was for any other reason except that the US market is less important now. I think any expectation of a car significantly reworked for American tastes is pure hopium with no evidence behind it.
I tend to agree with you. We'll find out in early 2026 when it arrives at dealerships.
I think the US market will be put off even more by the interior than by the exterior. If they revise the interior for the US that could salvage it a bit.
Hi, just curious, what does 'second immobilizer' refer to? Is it a second-gen version, or an secondary immobilizer? I tried searching online but couldn’t find any info on it. Thanks.
Secondary immobilizer.
It is called Lexus enhanced security system.
RIP ES, very sad day indeed. I am actually nervous for the Lexus brand and direction they are going. You think they would have learned looking at what BMW did with there reversions of XM and then having to reverse back to tradition.
I'm depressed. I have a new 2014 ES/UL and was waiting 12 years to skip a gen and get the 2026. A sup'd up Toyota Crown as the new ES? They actually advertise a "no truck" as a feature of a sedan. It's 6" longer and 3" taller--marketing says that's a good thing but the fact (OK, IMHO) is the battery is causing this. Not sure if 6" will fit in my garage. My 2014 ES 350 has 260 HP. The 2026 ES 350h has 240 HP. They're going backwards. This is a luxury car--supposed to be. Make the F-Sport version and sporty if you want. The side lines are silly on this car. I love the joystick in my car. Poking at a touchscreen for everything wears on the arms. Perhaps I push too many buttons in my Ultra Luxury ES. I don't want to get in the car and poke, poke, poke, to change settings. Now I get in the car and flip a few buttons easily.
I'm not a fan of hybrid, but I'll bite. But don't reduce the HP! Total EV is useless on roadtrips...useless (well, in the U.S. at least). The big screen I like for maps primarily, but we'll see what "touch" buttons they have. They should make a ES 350L that is extended if folks want 100" more of legroom in the back. The current version has LOTS of legroom already. Not gearshift? I love the manu-matic and you can't use the paddles on a curve with the wheel turned. I use the gear shift all the time and works great. Now a CVT and 240 HP with paddles. Gag. Change for change sake...not improving things.
I think Lexus has lost its "luxury" viewpoint and is just making stuff...change for change sake regardless if it is actually better. I'm disappointed. We'll see, granted, but I'll probably keep my 2014 ES 350/UL for several more years. This anti-ICE movement is just too silly. Make EV and hybrid, OK, but don't ditch ICE.
Absolutely hate these AI voiced derivative videos. All this footage was stolen from other content creators.
I couldn't agree more. I also love how, for the past six months, countless AI videos on YouTube have plagiarized the current ES in various ways, made trivial Photoshop-type changes to it, and claimed it's the '26 ES. Too bad the humans behind the automated plagiarisms can't be tracked down and fined for their frauds against the viewers.
What ever the excuses that Lexus and other people trying to explain for this poorly design ES, no Chinese or American will buy this BS, it will fail miserably, terrible tech and battery. How old is Toyota/Lexus EV department? oh 3 year-old, they are 20 years behind Testa and 10+ years behind Chinese EVs. All EVs Toyota4XYZ and Lexus RZ that they produced so far have been doing incredible well, so well, well, like 2 people actually bought them here in the US, and 0 people has bought them in Asia LOL. I mean what attract anyone to buy this BS? NONE. Think of a reason that made you bought your Lexus, ok, do you see that on this new pregnant ES, NO right,
Mark my words, the sale of the 8 gen Lexus in fall 75%, they will be panic and start making changes very very soon.
I agree sales of the next generation ES will drop dramatically. In the U.S., a BEV Lexus does not sell well. A good example is the RZ, in 2023 U.S. Lexus sales of the RZ was a measly 5,386 units, in 2024 the RZ sales were 9,697 and the first quarter of 2025 sales of the RZ were 1,454. So at that rate, let's round up to 1,500 units for the first quarter of 2025 and multiply by 4 quarters that totals 6,000 units. It appears the RZ is not selling like hotcakes...I'm sure worldwide the RZ isn't selling in larger numbers, same with the UX 300e. This 8ES BEV (ES 500e and ES 350e) doesn't have a bright future...
In contrast the UX 2023 U.S. sales were 11,846, 2024 U.S. sales were 8,877 and first quarter 2025 U.S. sales were 2,525.
I couldn't agree more. I also love how, for the past six months, countless AI videos on YouTube have plagiarized the current ES in various ways, made trivial Photoshop-type changes to it, and claimed it's the '26 ES. Too bad the humans behind the automated plagiarisms can't be tracked down and fined for their frauds against the viewers.
Hilarious the YouTube videos on the new RX which is not even coming out new and it looks like a Ferrari.
I agree sales of the next generation ES will drop dramatically. In the U.S., a BEV Lexus does not sell well. A good example is the RZ, in 2023 U.S. Lexus sales of the RZ was a measly 5,386 units, in 2024 the RZ sales were 9,697 and the first quarter of 2025 sales of the RZ were 1,454. So at that rate, let's round up to 1,500 units for the first quarter of 2025 and multiply by 4 quarters that totals 6,000 units. It appears the RZ is not selling like hotcakes...I'm sure worldwide the RZ isn't selling in larger numbers, same with the UX 300e. This 8ES BEV (ES 500e and ES 350e) doesn't have a bright future...
In contrast the UX 2023 U.S. sales were 11,846, 2024 U.S. sales were 8,877 and first quarter 2025 U.S. sales were 2,525.
While Toyota was way ahead of the pack on Hybrids, they are woefully behind on BEVs. The Lexus division has committed to be fully electric by 2035. I assume they will follow through on this commitment, even though their 1st gen BEVs are not very competitive. I expect we'll see some big improvements in the next gens of Lexus BEVs.
I haven't bothered to look into it, but initially I thought the next ES would be based off of the Crown. I wonder how much similarity there is. At minimum, both are "jacked" sedans. I think both are GA-K too. I wonder if these cars share platforms with the Japanese crown or what the exact relationship is between all three.
Similar short front doors, similar quarter glass, similar sloping rear end.
I agree sales of the next generation ES will drop dramatically. In the U.S., a BEV Lexus does not sell well. A good example is the RZ, in 2023 U.S. Lexus sales of the RZ was a measly 5,386 units, in 2024 the RZ sales were 9,697 and the first quarter of 2025 sales of the RZ were 1,454. So at that rate, let's round up to 1,500 units for the first quarter of 2025 and multiply by 4 quarters that totals 6,000 units. It appears the RZ is not selling like hotcakes...I'm sure worldwide the RZ isn't selling in larger numbers, same with the UX 300e. This 8ES BEV (ES 500e and ES 350e) doesn't have a bright future...
In contrast the UX 2023 U.S. sales were 11,846, 2024 U.S. sales were 8,877 and first quarter 2025 U.S. sales were 2,525.
The folks that want aEV have already bought. That’s why the market is plummeting. Others don’t want one and lots of those who bought are going back to ICE vehicles. At least a hybrid is manageable but Lexus screwed us there with less horsepower and a physically bigger car (thank you battery) for no reason (they justify it with marketing lingo but it is all because of the battery).
The folks that want aEV have already bought. That’s why the market is plummeting. Others don’t want one and lots of those who bought are going back to ICE vehicles. At least a hybrid is manageable but Lexus screwed us there with less horsepower and a physically bigger car (thank you battery) for no reason (they justify it with marketing lingo but it is all because of the battery).
One hears the comment often, but the market for EVs isn't "plummeting." In fact, it's growing slowly. Just more slowly than the hype said it would. I do agree, the early adopters who had to be the first EV on the block all have theirs now. From here, the growth will be more organic.
One hears the comment often, but the market for EVs isn't "plummeting." In fact, it's growing slowly. Just more slowly than the hype said it would. I do agree, the early adopters who had to be the first EV on the block all have theirs now. From here, the growth will be more organic.
Also, about half of the cars sold in China are plugins, that includes BEVs and PHEVs. Since more than twice as many cars are sold in China compared to the US, that's significant. There's no stopping this trendline.
Toyota and Lexus Join Mille Miglia For The First Time
Slideshow: A five-car lineup spanning more than five decades of Toyota performance and engineering will tackle one of Italy's most celebrated automotive routes.
