Lexus had better give us something extraordinary in an LS for 2026 or the new ES will steal its sales. I’m not a big fan of the 4 cylinder Toyota sound, but electrification should help.

Waiting for an announcement from Lexus itself re the 2026 LS, not some rumor on YouTube.

 

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I find the shift in interior design of the new ES interesting to say the least... idk if it's better than the 2019-2025... more simple sure. I don't understand why someone would pay the same price for less interior?
I expected a hybrid max powertrain like the Platinum Toyota Crowns... idk why thats not available in the new ES. You'd think that be the logical spec for matching the 301hp in the 2025 ES350?
idk why they think they need two full EV variants in today's EV market. Looking forward to picking up a 2026 ES 500e in 2029 for %50 off. The RZ residuals aren't holding up like a standard gas/hybrid powered RX...

edit: sorry I forgot we were supposed to be talking about the LS.. 🤓

The guy that replaced Akio Toyota-san (Kojo Sato) used to be the head of Lexus so I think he'd understand the importance of the LS to the brand globally and in the USA. (I think he was the lead engineer for the LC...) but neither the new LS or LC has been a huge sales success...

 

If the new LS is going electric, whether it be hybrid or full EV, it needs to have big horsepower to help differentiate it from the new ES and to make it al little more competitive with German and South Korean competition. Maybe 500 hp min.?

 

I hope it doesn’t look anything like that butt ugly ES. I absolutely hate the restyle.

 

"Steal sales"........I doubt thats really the same market. ES gone a bit upscale and those looking at uber sedans are looking elsewhere as our LS is antiquated in the current marketplace. Personally I love my car and it makes for incredible value as a used car.
I don't buy new cars anymore. If I did im looking at EV or hybrid. LS hybrid is not competitive in its current form.

I would think that ES will get a choice of drivetrain that is in the Crown Sedan and offered on the RX. So yes to the performance version.

I always reserve my opinion on a cars look until I see it in person and sit in the interior. I laughed at the LS500 zen garden design when it first came out as it was such a departure from the Mercedes influenced history of the LS. I thought the exterior was ok and the 20 inch chrome wheels a bit tacky. Few years of seeing them on the road I warmed up to the look. For most the ES and LS exteriors like other brands are not easily distinguished unless you look close. Then I had the chance to sit in the LS500 and not only did I "GET IT", I had to have it!!!! For decades I was a teutonic build snob. I loved my German cars! Then I got a GS350 Fspot and enjoyed its very competent drive, fit and finish and it being reliable, it never really knocked my socks off. This coming from a 2013 535i Msport with Manual Trans. In time the LS500 blew me away.
I like the pictures of the ES and agree the interior looks a bit simple but until I sit in it I don't capture "THE VIBE" of a car.
The ES I expect to be executed very well and Lexus does have that talent to put things together nicely!
That said the new RX does not do a thing for me when I get my loaners.
What will our new LS look like? I'd suspect it could be two models like the Crown. A wagon type thing and sedan with same mechanicals and interior. If they choose to combine into one perhaps a knock out "Shooting brake" large 4 door/ 4 seater like what Porche did with the Panamerica. Anyone wanting more space goes LX. Im just guessing. The uber sedan might be thing of the past.

Perhaps the Toyota Crown line its chunky dimensions is the template but LS at twice the price takes it to a whole other level.

 

While I would probably never consider the new ES for myself, I can foresee a non-car person Lexus buyer opting for the ES over an LS. It wouldn’t take too many to cannibalize LS sales unless Lexus hits a home run with the new LS.
LS sales are now running what, 200-300 per month?

 

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