I think the answer is they aren't concentrating on the US market as much as overseas (i.e. China). And the more I see of it, the more I think they intend the new ES to replace the LS as well.

There is no way they could make this into an LS and fulfill the role of top status car. The LS was always a stand alone vehicle, on its own platform and specifically designed to be unique to the line, not just a higher trim level of a lower Lexus or a gussied up Toyota. To be a successful flagship vehicle takes something better. Lower levels may emulate it over time, but the flagship stands above it all. One of the best remains the Mercedes S-class, built on a dedicated platform with their best tech and materials (even though that has cheapened out lately to some extent). The lesser lines, like the E and C classes copy some of the look and features over time, but the S sets the pace and tone for the brand. The LS, until this last generation, did that as well. The dying out current gen LS made you feel like you were in a nice ES, not the way it should be, confused styling, not luxurious enough, etc., which was reflected in their poor sales. Some reviewers even commented they preferred driving an ES over the LS.

Will Lexus spend the money to make another LS that actually is head and shoulders above the rest of the line? Possibly, but I would guess they won’t invest the large sums of money to do so, especially since sedans just don’t generate as much in sales as in the past. Some suggest a flagship SUV but again I don’t know if they could pull it off successfully. Going back to Mercedes, they still offer the Maybach name on a revised GLS, but that points to what I’m saying about lack of uniqueness - nice and very expensive with some better engineering, but it’s hard not to just see it a a fancier GLS. The cache is not the same.

Watch The Care Care Nut's video on the current LS vs his original LS. It's already not a unique car, so why bother changing that?

The new ES has LS-like features (massaging, heated, cooled, reclining rear seats, for example). The new ES is bigger than the current ES. etc.

Like you said...sedans aren't the thing anymore, why would Toyota/Lexus continue making multiple models? Especially considering the market (how many people are paying ~$100K for a sedan?)?

seems like you guys are arguing the same point lol. at the end of the day, i'm sure Lexus hopes the new ES picks up some of the soon-sunsetted LS whether or not it's the intention.

does the new ES do that? i don't think so. not at all. but it can certainly try.

Not to quibble but the current LS is on its own platform not the ES’s, and is RWD versus FWD, as it had been from the beginning of the brand. The mistake, right out of the gate, was trying to make a performance oriented sedan instead of focusing more on luxury. The car was very well made with better materials , etc. but by that generation Lexus had already stepped back from its perfection goal, and it showed.

Those luxury rear seat features, by the way, exist on the current generation ES, just not anything sold here in NA. The extending seat, heated and ventilated seats, ability to move the front passenger seat away, etc. are offered as the ES is often a chauffeured car elsewhere.

Possible alternative for me: NX hybrid
 

I have been waiting for the 26 ES for a couple years, planning to make it my 3rd ES. But am shaking my head at the dumb move by Lexus. I am holding final judgement until I drive the new ES350h, but it's not looking good right now. Please at least give us that beautiful Eminent White Pearl instead of the "primer" colors.

As the happy owner of a 2013 ES300h, I have come to realize it is the the best car I will ever own. Ever. 145k, original brakes "like new", drives like new, looks far less than 13 years old. Beautiful styling (6th gen are the best styling IMHO). 2 repairs in 13 years: a parking sensor replaced, and the stupid noisy bushing in the electric steering motor. I could keep this car for years to come, but I am ready for something new. Camry hybrid maybe, or possibly NX hybrid.

Funny, I recently had a Sonata hybrid rental. 51 mpg over my 600 miles. It was a smoothest car I have ever driven. 60 MPH, let your foot off the pedal, and EV kicks right in, and keeps the speed up with a very gradual deceleration, unlike the current Lexus hybrids with very pronouced deceleration when taking your foot off the pedal. I do not like that feeling on the newer Lexus hybrids. Shame that it is a Hyundai.

DO BETTER LEXUS!

Lexus is doing just fine. The RX is the best selling luxury SUV and the NX is second. My 2024 RX 350h with 38.2 mpg is super quiet and smooth. Just saw where the RX is the most reliable luxury SUV.

Makes sense. I've read reviews that comment similarly stating that Toyota/Lexus hybrids, while reliable, are re-using incrementally updated older designs for their hybrid because it works -- the MO @ Lexus, while Honda, Hyundai etc has newer smoother more refined hybrid designs. I don't blame Toyota, they invested a lot of money and were the first in the game. Wouldn't make much sense to start from scratch. But it does make sense that other car makers came in later and started from scratch and therefore their hybrid approach is different, newer, and smoother. Are they reliable? Only time will tell.

I've forgotten what its like to have an ICE jerk on/off but i do remember it being perceptible at times, causing rumbling, jerking sensation after complete silence. it can be disrupting but i suppose you get used to it.

The RX is a proper car. Hands down.

I wish '25 RX had better safety. Unfortunately it has elevated risk of Pelvis Injury in side impact 2.0 test which simulates a full size loaded pick up truck into the side. Also only managed a below average B pillar strength for its segment. it should have done substantially better for its size and weight.

One more review, this time in Germany:

Consumer Reports just rated it the most reliable two row luxury SUV.
The 2025 Lexus RX performs very well in safety tests, with most versions receiving a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

:confused: Isn't the autoglide control doing just that in our ES-h?
We could argue that we could wish for user selectable deceleration from no deceleration to one pedal driving.

But on the architecture side, I don't see how anything could beat Toyota's power split drive.

It does have to be in eco mode for auto glide and touching brake brings out.

Our next Lexus may very well be an RX. Not a fan of the new ES, so we picked up a 2025. By the time we're in the market again, the RX may be the only good option for us.

At least its a nice vehicle!