The Lexus ES owners have been let down, with the brand giving us a model seemingly designed for the Chinese market and its customers.
First of all, the design is unattractive.
Second, it lacks any sense of class—both inside and out.
And to make matters worse, reports say Lexus will launch the EV version first, followed by the Hybrid months later.

With all that in mind, do you still plan on buying the 8ES?

 

That’s a no for me. The powertrain alone is a dealbreaker for me. My ES350 was in for an airbag recall this past week and they gave me a 25 NX350h as a loaner. That 4 banger was too noisy for my liking. Also didn’t like how the engine wouldn’t kick on until you got to a certain speed. The infotainment is easier to use, but I prefer the physical buttons for climate control. Also, the steering wheel has blank buttons that you had to touch to see what they were programmed to do. I’m assuming all of these things will be in the new ES, along with the hybrid 4 cylinder motor. No thanks.

 

This car looks like a cheap Corolla.

 

Will wait to see actual product. Full EV is not practical for me or most likely vast majority in US. For me the EV will have to have at least the range of my hybrid using all accessories at night with heater on. Lexus is really pushing it and doing hybrid later which tells me they are not really targeting the US market. Big let down.

 

Count me as: NO.

I like to keep my cars long-term, so with a '23 300h (almost UL w/ only 9k miles) in the garage, I’m 100% out on any first or second-year 8th gen. But based on what I’ve seen so far; styling, inside and out, plus the feature set, I’m 99.99% sure the 8th gen is NOT for me. I'll probably go against my own and grab a Tesla than commit to this new gen.

That said, I’ll reserve the final 0.01% until I see it in person; and reviews start to flow.

 

I would never buy new again...first, last, and only "new" was a 1978 Volare station wagon...bucket seats, 4 speed, "super six", posi trac. A good car that could handle any amount of snow...too bad it could not handle any amount of road salt. Too much depreciation in that first year for "new" even if it did have 3.5 engine. I think the current car will outlast me anyway but if I had to replace I'd be looking at used hybrid. Really hoping our federal government kicks that silly and poorly thought out "EV only" target down the road where it belongs.

 

Most of the reviews will be: “the best ever”, “modern”, “sleek”, “minimalistic” and all this sort of rubbish.

I know that it will be quieter than the current ES, quicker, more comfortable… but it looks cheap and non-Lexus like.
The current generation literally killed the LS, that’s how good it is, and now we are getting this crap?



I know that Lexus designers and key people are reading this thread. Do you see what you have done?
I don’t care, send this crap to China, but for the US market, please do a redesign and put things back together.

 

I would not get the new ES.

I love my 7th gen for exactly what I listed below:

normally aspirated V6
torque converter geared transmission
cable controlled transmission engagement
real spare tire
mechanical controlled door locking system

I really only have one major problem with my car. The darn AC compressor not having a physical button to engage and disengage it. So annoying.

 

This video sums up why I'd never buy the 8th gen ES

 

What I don't understand is that I'm sure that Toyota did some surveys as to what Lexus customers want, if EV is practical (for Lexus vehicles), design, meaning looks, and projected sales numbers. This survey is an indicator of the American attitude towards the new model as small as it might be. China may be number one, but America is #2...

 

I'm still really happy with my 7ES 300h. 3 years later and it's still as good, well better due to a few light mods, since day 1. I never thought I would look back at an ES, but every time I park it, I look back about 90% of the time, so I know I have the right car.

The 8ES....I personally don't find anything about it intriguing. I'll happily hang onto my 7ES for years to come and as my daily driver. If I get the itch to get another car, that'll strictly be a weekend card and it'll definitely be much more fun than anything in Lexus current lineup, except for the LC500...

 

^^^^ This summarizes my opinion of the new 8gen.

I don’t mind the transition to more EV/HEV platforms. IMHO it's the right direction unless something radically new comes along as a fuel, and I’m not convinced hydrogen is it.

But so far, that 8th gen preview is ugly in/out.

 

I had a 22 ES 350 UL and decided to trade and get the 2025 ES350 UL due to last year of the V6 and the 2026 is UGLY!!!!!

No.

 

I guess one could put a 500 HP LS7 in that car. That would help sales. Ya listening Toyota?

 

I’ll hang onto my 21 ES 350 for as long as I can, and then will likely get a Crown.
the difference in luxury between my ES and my 21 RC is shockingly obvious. Lexus luxury seems to be dwindling so why pay for something no longer provided.