Just saw a credible-looking rumor on Reddit—I won't represent it as being anything more than that—claiming that Lexus decided nearly a year ago to change the next gen more extensively and push it back a year, to a 2025 introduction of a 2026 car. Take it for what it's worth.

 

What makes it credible?

 

Reddit has credible rumors?!

 

Nothing in particular except that the author sounded like he might know what he was talking about. That's why I put so many disclaimers on it.

 

What does it look like?

 

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es-...l#post11650927

 

If the Camry was a super light re-skin, I would expect similar for other TNGA-related vehicles that aren't SUVs/crossovers.

Wouldn't be a bad thing. The 7ES is a nice looking car. I just think it needs some smoothing out around the light areas, too much bulbous/sticking out going on. Same for the door handles.

Also with the new 5 Series and 7 Series out now, those cars are jacked and high due to BMW having those cars having hybrid ICE/EV structures (which is poor for optimization), so it would be awkward to see a low to the ground 8ES next to a jacked/big boy 5 series. I hope the new ES is jacked somewhat.

My dream 8ES: Take the current 7ES, beef up its structure where it needs it (on the side--for safety), jack it up higher, streamline the design a bit, give it a plug in at least, beef up the interior quality, make it 6ES/GS quality/thickness/plushness, give it powerful modern lights. also give it a jet black color. none of this brown sparkly bits black =/

 

You can now build the 2025 Camry on configurator. Hybrid is now standard. Costs $455 less than the outgoing gas only model. not sure how toyota will keep up w/ the new accord which at least has the appearance of a newer, sleeker car. this new camry looks so basic and.. old.

https://www.toyota.com/configurator/...2-6c8e977dfaa5

 

That looks like Hyundai i30.

 

You've posted this innuendo that the ES lacks side impact protection at least five times on this board, and I for one wouldn't mind a bit if you gave it a rest.

When this car came out in 2019, it earned a top rating under the side impact standards in force at the time. Since then, the side impact standard has evidently been toughened so the same car gets a passing but not top grade. This has happened before, including after the birth of the small-overlap front crash test that caused many formerly top-rated cars to need front corner reinforcement.

The only thing this reflects on the ES is that it is now a six-year-old design. This is neither news nor alarming, let alone a reason for your previous post denigrating it by comparison to the current-gen Honda Accord that came out after the updating of the standards. I, for one, will continue to drive my ES with the level of confidence that a certain proud ex-owner repeatedly declares he lacks.

 

This is the least of Toyota's worries. Camry Hybrids have been selling like hotcakes, and Toyota's only worry right now is how they will keep up with demand—something they've struggled to do with Camry Hybrids for about 4 years now. You've all but asserted in previous posts and this one that the Accord is such a mic-drop triumph that it endangers both the Camry and the ES. Sales figures suggest your confidently held view is not unanimously shared by the marketplace.

 

Changing standards is a big reason why cars keep getting heavier and motors smaller with turbo boost to compensate and comply with more stringent safety and fuel economy mandates. This is why I'm content with today's ES and plan to keep it a long long time. How Lexus has managed to combine and balance performance and fuel economy in this environment is a joyous discovery coming from SUVs and trucks. I'm currently enthralled with the vehicle like I hadn't expected, coming from another brand and format I'm quite impressed.

 

The 2025 Camry features the Gen6 hybrid drive train and available eAWD. I would be surprised and disappointed if the 2025 ES did not offer those features, with or without model change.

 

I understand the ES model isn't the sporty like the IS, but i would hope there would be a bit of a performance boost in comparison to the camry if they're gonna use it in the ES.

 

Actually, at least from what I’ve read, the bigger issue now in engine sizing and development is no longer fuel economy but stricter emissions standards. This applies globally, not just here in the US.