[Badhobz]

https://www.motortrend.com/news/2026-lexus-es-sedan-first-look-review/
https://www.motortrend.com/files/68084d38eb64050008ab0179/2026lexuses300h7.jpg
Meh, looks like a Camry to me. I don’t think it’ll sell that well given how everyone is buying suvs.

[supafamous]

I hate it. Doesn't look like a Lexus nor does it look like a luxury car.

Also, it's enormous now - 202"?!? That's minivan size.

The second gen ES is where it's at:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/30/3rd_Lexus_ES300.jpg

[Badhobz]

100000%

I don’t even know why they bother making it. It’s a completely dead market for large sedans. I haven’t seen a new ES on the road in quite a while. I see more ES from my generation (2007-2012) then brand new ones.

[RabidRat]

It's kind of interesting how they've positioned the trims:

ES350e FWD EV
ES350h AWD hybrid
ES500e AWD EV

[Traum]

The open trapezoid design on the door looks totally out of place, but I guess they needed something to break up the tall door slab.

[Badhobz]

If you kinda squint, it’s giving me Porsche taycan / Panamara vibes…. What have you done Toyota.

[radeonboy]

Nothing about this car screams luxury to me - it looks like an edgy Sonata mixed with a slightly-posher Model 3 interior.

I'm sure TMC did a ton of market research to arrive at this end product, but it's not quite resonating with me. Maybe it works better for the non-Chinese Asian markets?

[immorality]

It looks like they sell just as many ES's as they do Prius' ~40000/yr (US sales Numbers)

https://pressroom.toyota.com/toyota-motor-north-america-reports-2024-u-s-sales-results/

[Badhobz]

Wowowowo that’s unexpected. Like I said I really haven’t seen a new ES around Vancouver.

[JDMDreams]

I like it, I was watching this things on YouTube where in the press material they were saying this is the global flagship? Not sure if they are gonna use it to replace the LS. But I heard the es has more interior space than the LS. But it looks good, duck face in front, just wished the front bumper doesn't stick out so much. Wonder if it will be made in Japan.

[AstulzerRZD]

Kind of looks like a Hyundai Elantra if I squint hard enough

[pastarocket]

Hobz, what are your thoughts on this article?

Lexus's brand image issue with "younger" buyers? Are some people saying that Lexus is selling towards older customers?

One of my friends bought a 2025 ES last year. He's not old at 34 years old haha. -traded in his Tesla Model S for a more reliable car. Good move for him even though he got lowballed big time from the dealer for the trade-in. LUL


https://www.motor1.com/news/756568/lexus-buyers-older-average-luxury/

-from the article:

That might be hard for Lexus. A new report from S&P Global Mobility comparing Lexus, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz buyers revealed some stark demographic differences, like age. Recent Lexus buyers are old—57.6 years on average.

The 2026 ES looks...different.

[AstulzerRZD]

I think they can probably attract 40 year olds who can stand out but not that much in their office/corporate job. I'm thinking Texas, Chicago Suburb, and Boston vibe.

The 25s are going to strive for more - at the very least a B58 car if not a big body Benz/AMG.

[teggy604]

Like others have mention that air trim or diffuser thing looks weird.

ES is an old man's car trying to look young. Lol.

[underscore]

All I can see is a car with pursed lips and a goatee lol

[Badhobz]

Hobz, what are your thoughts on this article?

Lexus's brand image issue with "younger" buyers? Are some people saying that Lexus is selling towards older customers?

One of my friends bought a 2025 ES last year. He's not old at 34 years old haha. -traded in his Tesla Model S for a more reliable car. Good move for him even though he got lowballed big time from the dealer for the trade-in. LUL


https://www.motor1.com/news/756568/lexus-buyers-older-average-luxury/

-from the article:

That might be hard for Lexus. A new report from S&P Global Mobility comparing Lexus, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz buyers revealed some stark demographic differences, like age. Recent Lexus buyers are old—57.6 years on average.

The 2026 ES looks...different.

Sounds about right. I recall the only time Lexus had a remotely youthful image was when the original is300 came out and all the kids wanted it. Ever since then it’s basically full of cheap geezers who really just want a Toyota with leather. You got a few enthusiasts car sprinkled into their history but none of them were ever class leading. Even the LFA which was basically just an exercise to burn money and make music wasn’t class leading in any specs.

It’s a brand for cheap geezers who want reliable automobiles… aka right up my alley and that why i have 5 of them. sc, lc, es and 2 RXs in the family.

[noclue]

Dont like the trend of getting rid of logos for lettering.
L E X U S
P O R S C H E

Gen Z cant read anyway

[bcrdukes]

You guys can't appreciate real beauty.

[Badhobz]

D O U S C H E
C H E P X U S
Is more accurate

[AstulzerRZD]

Toronto Pearson Airport drivers have never been this excited for a new car

IMO a better question: what are Kevin Nguyens going to drive once the IS gets discontinued

[JDMDreams]

^^ ES once they turn into Uncle Nguyen and can't fit into is anymore

[RabidRat]

Ok serious question - why do Vietnamese people like Lexus so much?

I have never seen so many Lexuses as I have in Little Saigon in the Bay Area. All of the parking lots are filled with every year of every model that Lexus has ever made. Across all sub-demographics: aunties, uncles, grandmas, moms, dads, gangsters, kids. I've never seen anything like it.

[AstulzerRZD]

MB has a bit of baggage - was a government car in Vietnam so it's not a good association for those who fled.
BMW/Audi less so but a post-wartime economy is less flex-y here.

Culture continues because most of the kids live at home so it has to be conservative trim/color (white). You'd never see a blue or red IS.
Not only are the Lexus feature in Paris by Night, most Lexus dealer ads in Socal/Norcal/Houston are literally in Viet.

And then there’s the cultural sorting: Civics and Accords are central American aspirations.
Teslas? Guju uncles in Jersey love em. Also quickly replacing the Chrysler 300 and MB C300 as hood car.

[Badhobz]

Ok serious question - why do Vietnamese people like Lexus so much?

I have never seen so many Lexuses as I have in Little Saigon in the Bay Area. All of the parking lots are filled with every year of every model that Lexus has ever made. Across all sub-demographics: aunties, uncles, grandmas, moms, dads, gangsters, kids. I've never seen anything like it.

Herrow, it doesn’t break!!!! It’s the same reason why Jews love it and black rappers.

[JDMDreams]

I think everyone circles back to Lexus, once your BMW, Benz and Audi breaks for no reason, I'm trying to convince my cousin to go back to Lexus after she's had BMW problems, now Audi problems. Also I think all cars especially after corona was built with shit quality plastics + cost cutting with the chip shortage.

[JDMDreams]

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/es-5th-gen-2007-2012/323224-2012-lexus-es-350-on-22-inch-makavelis-forumrunner_20140408_211433.png

Hobs pulling up to the kfc

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/sc430-2nd-gen-2001-2010/213508-what-looks-better-19-inch-or-20-inch-o0600039910389555464.jpg

[dark0821]

I think everyone circles back to Lexus, once your BMW, Benz and Audi breaks for no reason, I'm trying to convince my cousin to go back to Lexus after she's had BMW problems, now Audi problems. Also I think all cars especially after corona was built with shit quality plastics + cost cutting with the chip shortage.

Ahhh makes sense now....

Since I never dabbed in German yet... my body is not ready for Lexus...

this is my only reason for not having a LFA.... yes... thats the only reason

[AstulzerRZD]

I think everyone circles back to Lexus, once your BMW, Benz and Audi breaks for no reason, I'm trying to convince my cousin to go back to Lexus after she's had BMW problems, now Audi problems. Also I think all cars especially after corona was built with shit quality plastics + cost cutting with the chip shortage.

I went the other way from Lexus to German/Italian.

Lexus used to be the move — but the new gen has none of those advantages.
• NX has that hybrid cable issue ($4k fix? seriously?)
• RX shrank and that 2.4T is going to rattle the car apart
• IS is missing tech you’d expect in a Camry
• ES is still a retirement home on wheels

At this point, a B48/58 + ZF8 BMW is a 10 year reliability record. And if you care more about comfort and efficiency, just give me an MB EQ-series and call it a day.

[JDMDreams]

Cuz if you gotta go out or flee a shooting, you gotta have that one car that will start every time and it's Toyota, Lexus.

Would you trust your life with a European product.

[AstulzerRZD]

In the past sure but nowadays I’ll take the BMW or EA888 Audi.

[bcrdukes]

I went the other way from Lexus to German/Italian.

Lexus used to be the move — but the new gen has none of those advantages.
• NX has that hybrid cable issue ($4k fix? seriously?)
• RX shrank and that 2.4T is going to rattle the car apart
• IS is missing tech you’d expect in a Camry
• ES is still a retirement home on wheels

At this point, a B48/58 + ZF8 BMW is a 10 year reliability record. And if you care more about comfort and efficiency, just give me an MB EQ-series and call it a day.
You just made Badhobz all wet.

[AstulzerRZD]

I mean... I'm aggressively shopping for a Granturismo Convertible or DB9 convertible

[bcrdukes]

I was referring to your Toyota trash talk.

[underscore]

Ok serious question - why do Vietnamese people like Lexus so much?

I have never seen so many Lexuses as I have in Little Saigon in the Bay Area. All of the parking lots are filled with every year of every model that Lexus has ever made. Across all sub-demographics: aunties, uncles, grandmas, moms, dads, gangsters, kids. I've never seen anything like it.

Is that why I saw so many first gen IS300s when I was around there?

[Badhobz]

I went the other way from Lexus to German/Italian.

Lexus used to be the move — but the new gen has none of those advantages.
• NX has that hybrid cable issue ($4k fix? seriously?)
• RX shrank and that 2.4T is going to rattle the car apart
• IS is missing tech you’d expect in a Camry
• ES is still a retirement home on wheels

At this point, a B48/58 + ZF8 BMW is a 10 year reliability record. And if you care more about comfort and efficiency, just give me an MB EQ-series and call it a day.

Lexus is dead to me too. The LC is the final product that has a glimmer of what their core values and engineering capabilities used to be. The lineup nowadays is full of garbage I wouldn’t even consider.

Maybe the GX…. Maybe. But I tried to enjoy that 4 seater LX and it was an utter piece of shit. I couldn’t even stretch out ! Who designed this ?!?

[noclue]

The worst offender is the badge engineered TX. I’ve seen better interior build quality in a GM.

I want a lexus built by takumi, who spent 5 years sweeping the factory floor to prove his dedication before building cars; not joe from kentucky who had a beer during his lunch break and forgot to install a bolt cause he was watching fox news on the production line.

[jing]

What up with the Dodge Charger 'body lines' on the doors?

[AstulzerRZD]

The worst offender is the badge engineered TX. I’ve seen better interior build quality in a GM.

I want a lexus built by takumi, who spent 5 years sweeping the factory floor to prove his dedication before building cars; not joe from kentucky who had a beer during his lunch break and forgot to install a bolt cause he was watching fox news on the production line.

They were really glazing at the auto show - spent hours talking about how many jobs they created in the states

[supafamous]

Guys, new pics have dropped

https://www.reddit.com/r/Lexus/comments/1k5nvuv/lexus_es_8gen/

[Badhobz]

arrrgh its frumpy as hell. I got no car brands left to buy, everything I loved is dead or utterly stupid

https://i.postimg.cc/xCHR2W73/pajiz1nk9mwe1.png

[AstulzerRZD]

Guys, new pics have dropped

https://www.reddit.com/r/Lexus/comments/1k5nvuv/lexus_es_8gen/

The extra body line hides how much taller the car is - BMW’s styling is weird for same reason.

This is a concession of building gas and EV on the same platform. Battery variant adds a ton of height instead of really being a part of unibody like a dedicated EV platform.

[bcrdukes]

Oh, my. :pokerface:

I immediately associated this with the Hyundai N cars. It almost has the body lines of the Toyota Crown in it. :inoutugh:

It seems to suffering an identity crisis. What happened to the old man look of it? They kind of squashed the outgoing RC300/RC350 F-Sport with a Toyota Crown.

[dark0821]

arrrgh its frumpy as hell. I got no car brands left to buy, everything I loved is dead or utterly stupid




A F car??? XDDD ROOOOOOOMMMMAAAAAAAAA


Oh, my. :pokerface:

I immediately associated this with the Hyundai N cars. It almost has the body lines of the Toyota Crown in it. :inoutugh:



NO NO NO NO NO, N looks much better come on..... hahaha

[JDMDreams]

How much of this is shared with the crown? At least it looks better. What about that gr Corolla one, I thought they trade marked the name for the US? It was like nbx or ubx or something.

[AstulzerRZD]

This is substantially more different than the Land Cruiser/4Runner/GX.

What's different is they reinforced the structure and moved things around to fit the battery pack in there .... which is why the car structure/body looks so much "taller"

[bcrdukes]

The size/shape just reminded me of the Crown.

[DJ Milk]

I still think the 6th gen is the best looking one. Especially if it has all the options. I'm kinda bias though

https://i.postimg.cc/vBPvPcy5/134.jpg

[JDMDreams]

I like this the best, less beaky and pretty much looks like a LS

https://static0.carbuzzimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/lexus-es-facelift-07.jpg

[Badhobz]

two tone was the best ES. Also came in a manuel if you can find it
https://photos.carspecs.us/e05743e8455ea9e99e942a013a87b18ab3ac5c9e-2000.jpg
https://photos.carspecs.us/76777e7b235ddcb290607a272b48f364ccd495d2-2000.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/64/Lexus_ES_300_front_cabin.jpg