8ES reviews
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 647
Likes: 242
From: USA
Interior and driving experience from those video reviews are not bad, I can't just get over the look of the car outside, especially the front and the sides.
The black color does look the best to me because it hides all the horrendous lines at the front and on the side.
Let's see how well it will sell in NA and China.
The black color does look the best to me because it hides all the horrendous lines at the front and on the side.
Let's see how well it will sell in NA and China.
Last edited by july1988; May 27, 2026 at 10:24 AM.
Rookie
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 45
Likes: 36
From: MA
It's definitely different, but there's nothing so drastically outlandish about it vs. any other new car on the road. The previous ES already looks old and dated to me. To each their own. I think some people automatically say they hate something without even deciding for themselves, just because others have said it.
Lead Lap
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4,729
Likes: 553
From: Ca
Interior and driving experience from those video reviews are not bad, I can't just get over the look of the car outside, especially the front and the sides.
The black color does look the best to me because it hides all the horrendous lines at the front and on the side.
Let's see how well it will sell in NA and China.
The black color does look the best to me because it hides all the horrendous lines at the front and on the side.
Let's see how well it will sell in NA and China.
Just the fastback look takes getting used to.
New ES350e ambushes old ES300h, while new ES500e AWD ambushes old ES350 V6.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 18
Likes: 9
From: Florida
I agree with you on all your points, Kijug. I have a 2013 ES300h with 160k and have been holding out for years waiting for the 2026. I do want to drive this before nailing the coffin shut. But my gripes:
- It's 10 inches longer than my 2013. I need to test drive it home to see if it will fit in my garage, and try to park this thing in a tight lot.
- It's 340 lbs heavier.
- Nothing screams Lexus like....a rubber steering wheel. Unimaginable.
- No luxury trim. No leather seats.
- Don't see any color I like (need to see in person)
- Cannot use my trunk mounted bike rack. No receiving hitch available. I would never put a hitch on a car such as this anyway.
- 91 octane recommended. Can't hardly find that. Would need to buy 93, which is about $0.80 more. Equivalent 36 mpg (see my eariler post.) Yes, sure, it will run on 87. Guess that had to go to 91 because it's a goliath of a vehicle.
- It's taller - good, because I am 13 years older and want a higher seat, but I need to see if the '26 adds much height. Auto reviewers are not commenting on seat height.
I expect it will be comfy and drive nice. I will give it a take home test drive and then decide.
- It's 10 inches longer than my 2013. I need to test drive it home to see if it will fit in my garage, and try to park this thing in a tight lot.
- It's 340 lbs heavier.
- Nothing screams Lexus like....a rubber steering wheel. Unimaginable.
- No luxury trim. No leather seats.
- Don't see any color I like (need to see in person)
- Cannot use my trunk mounted bike rack. No receiving hitch available. I would never put a hitch on a car such as this anyway.
- 91 octane recommended. Can't hardly find that. Would need to buy 93, which is about $0.80 more. Equivalent 36 mpg (see my eariler post.) Yes, sure, it will run on 87. Guess that had to go to 91 because it's a goliath of a vehicle.
- It's taller - good, because I am 13 years older and want a higher seat, but I need to see if the '26 adds much height. Auto reviewers are not commenting on seat height.
I expect it will be comfy and drive nice. I will give it a take home test drive and then decide.
Pole Position
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3,172
Likes: 1,714
From: NC
Interior and driving experience from those video reviews are not bad, I can't just get over the look of the car outside, especially the front and the sides.
The black color does look the best to me because it hides all the horrendous lines at the front and on the side.
Let's see how well it will sell in NA and China.
The black color does look the best to me because it hides all the horrendous lines at the front and on the side.
Let's see how well it will sell in NA and China.
Last edited by Freds430; May 27, 2026 at 04:48 PM.
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Advanced
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 647
Likes: 242
From: USA
Agree completely. Back looks good. Now the bad news the black plastic zig zag lines covering both doors is cheap looking and hideous. The black plastic under each headlight looks light running mascara. Would not matter how it drives would never own one. Sales on this generation will be 25% less then the 2025 model.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 302
Likes: 172
My 7th gen feels massive. Yet the 8th gen is 1/2 a foot longer and 3 inches taller. I believe it's also 400lbs heavier.
WTF was Toyota thinking?
They're trying to make up for the loss of the LS with this ES. They might as well called it something else.
The original ES was literally a Camry in a tux but with nicer doors and buyers loved it that way.
Now it's a Crown. I don't like the Crown. Toyota reminds me of GM during their spiraling down with their brands in the early 2000s.
WTF was Toyota thinking?
They're trying to make up for the loss of the LS with this ES. They might as well called it something else.
The original ES was literally a Camry in a tux but with nicer doors and buyers loved it that way.
Now it's a Crown. I don't like the Crown. Toyota reminds me of GM during their spiraling down with their brands in the early 2000s.
CL Community Team Leader
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,903
Likes: 842
From: The School of Hard Knocks
Next time you or anyone else posts a video in this thread, would you please tell us if it's actually a review or just another walk around/through video like this one? Unfortunately, there are no driving impressions in this video. It's just another walk around/through like we've seen so many times before.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 302
Likes: 172
Just look at the RZ. Last Christmas my local Lexus dealer were clearing them out with 0% interest and up to $5,000 rebate.