The 2026 model year marks the eighth generation of the Lexus ES, otherwise known as “the more expensive version of the Toyota Camry.” The big news is that for this redesign, the ES is only available with hybrid and electric powertrains. Some of this car’s details are worthy of a closer look. Lexus faces a tough task here; by the company’s own admission during a June 2026 press briefing, the average ES buyer in the United States is about 70 years old. Here’s how Lexus plans to improve its appeal to that demographic, without alienating potential conquests.
The Early-Bird Special
The new Lexus ES distinguishes itself from its mainstream cousin, the Toyota Camry, as well as its own past self with a slick hatchback profile. It’s a bold move for Lexus, if not for automakers in general — the Kia K4 and Honda Accord wear the look just as well, at lower starting prices. However, Lexus moves a step up, literally, with the ES’ new, slightly-raised ride height. This lends easier ingress and egress to its loyal audience, Lexus says, though it also accommodates the battery architecture. Younger shoppers are likely accustomed to the crossover-ification of sedans and might not even notice. I didn’t, initially, until it was mentioned; any ride height that exists between a go-kart and a fire truck is of neutral value to my 44-year-old mom-bod.
High Scorch Potential
The ES’ target buyer likely hasn’t encountered this many creases since the going-out-of-business sale at the local Macy’s (unless Lexus is suddenly taking in a bunch of BMWs as trade-ins). Weirdly, though, the overall look changes drastically depending on exterior color. The available test cars for our press briefing were almost exclusively in grayscale. This includes the all-new Wavelength, a truly lovely and unique color that shifts between grey and gray (and yes, they’re different) with occasional violet sparks. It accentuates what Lexus calls the “spindle body,” inspired by the brand’s traditional spindle grille — and what I think looks great from some angles and resembles a tablecloth in desperate need of ironing from other angles. And I haven’t touched an iron since I needed to soak up a spilled candle from a dorm room carpet in 2002. Your mileage may vary.
You’re Not Having A Heart Attack, It’s Just The Steering Wheel
The Lexus ES gets better inside, with one major exception. The steering wheel of the eighth-generation Lexus ES is why driving gloves exist. Never mind the anachrony inherent in that statement.
Though I drove two versions of the ES, one with each powertrain, I wasn’t able to get my hands on a top-trim test car. Thus, both had the base version of the ES’ steering wheel, covered in Lexus’ NuLuxe synthetic leather.
NuLuxe is perfectly fine as seat upholstery, dash covering, door trim, whatever. On a steering wheel… well, let’s see which of these descriptions will slip by my editors.
It’s slick and sweat-inducing, therefore, anxiety-inducing.
It feels like the semi-realistic baby doll I had to pretend to nurse in my prenatal class.
It’s Hannibal Lecter’s dream steering wheel.
In the interest of fairness, I reached out to Lexus for comment, and was sure to mention it’s truly the only thing I disliked about the vehicle. In the interest of fairness, Lexus responded that NuLuxe is used on steering wheels across the brand’s lineup, and politely refrained from inquiring exactly what it is I get up to in my spare time that triggered such a traumatic response to a steering wheel.
House of Bamboo
Aside from the NuLuxe situation, the cabin kind of rocks. It’s available with a really cool option that ties together the look and feel of the whole car — bamboo-inspired door panel inserts with backlighting. The panels mimic a bamboo weave, created by 3D printing, and incorporate the soft, soothing glow of the ambient lighting system featured across the lineup.
It’s the kind of atmospheric upgrade that convinces you a $12 cocktail is really a $25 cocktail just because you happen to be in a seductively-lit hotel bar.
I want this in my own car. I want this in the built-in shelves in my shower, and on the headboard of my bed. I’m browsing for 3D printers in between typing these sentences, and I haven’t even had any overpriced cocktails yet today.
And as such, it’s standard with the Luxury trims of the Lexus ES 350e and 500e, with published starting prices of $57,295 and $60,295, respectively, including the $1,395 delivery fee. Dealer prices and options can change the total. Lexus lists this treatment for the battery-electric Luxury trims. The bamboo panels are complemented by an upgrade from NuLuxe to semi-aniline leather upholstery, in a choice of black, white, or palomino.
Lexus claims to be one of the first automakers to use bamboo as an interior material, owing to its sustainability as much as its luxury vibe, dating back to 2008. Of course, Lexus is a Japanese brand, and bamboo is crucial to everyday life in Japan.
Toyota and Lexus have rolled out some really cool ambient options over the years that somehow failed to catch on — the adjustable clear-to-opaque glass moonroof comes to mind — and I hope this doesn’t suffer the same fate. Lexus’ European competitors have nailed the sexy-hotel vibe, but the cultural aspect of the bamboo theming helps set the ES apart.
