The huge Lexus ES full change has appeared..Is it better than 5 Series or A6
Apr 30, 2025
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The 8th generation Lexus ES not only applied new technologies but also made a big transformation in style and power train.
The Lexus ES has established itself as a key model in its portfolio driving Lexus sales since it first launched in North America in 1989.The Lexus ES was praised as a 'cool camry' with less performance-oriented and more comfortable driving than the small high-performance sedan IS.
In this regard, the 2026 Lexus ES is not much different from the previous model.It is still an all-wheel drive model developed based on the same platform (TNGAGA-K) as Camry. The similarity is only that much and is actually a completely different vehicle from the Camry.
Full Model Change Lexus ES is significantly larger than previous models.The length exceeded 5 m for the first time, with a 5138 mm width of 1918 mm, longer and wider than the previous ES.The biggest change is that the new Lexus ES comes with a hybrid as well as a fully electric vehicle.
The exterior design may seem rather radical at first. But if you park next to the new Camry, you'll see it's pretty similar. It is a future-oriented update that differentiates it from Camry.
How does it compare to Audy A6? Audi is also highly likely to compete with the new Lexus ES by unveiling its completely changed A6 design this year.In terms of style, A6 and ES take a similar approach.
Both models clearly reflected the latest design trends.Narrow LED headlights and tail lamps that stretch along the width of the trunk lid stand out.The 2026 Lexus ES design without a grille feels cleaner and less aggressive than Audi's wide grille.
It is clear that the unique accent line along the side of the vehicle is a factor that further differentiates the ES. It is difficult to compare which powertrain is better between the fully modified Lexus ES and the Audi A6. While there is no exact powertrain information yet, Lexus ES has combined a hybrid system with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine.
The A6 to be released in the U.S. market will be equipped with a 3.0-liter six-cylinder gasoline engine. This is expected to be more powerful than ES.The A6's dual-clutch automatic transmission will be even more attractive than the eCVT that Lexus boasts.
The new Lexus ES interior has undergone a major upgrade. It creates a distinctly different atmosphere from the Audi A6.Lexus uses sustainable materials such as bamboo and boasts a minimal design that removes buttons and introduces touchscreen manipulation.
The Lexus ES instrument panel display is 12.3 inches larger than the Audi A6 11.9 inches. Instead, the Audi A6 has a central display of 14.5 inches, which is larger than the ES's 14.0 inches.
BMW 5 Series also had a full model change last year. Pure electric i5 models with new styles inside and outside will also be released to compete with the new Lexus ES electric vehicle version. In terms of style, the 5 series has mixed likes and dislikes even within BMW. I chose to evolve a bit rather than be innovative, maintaining a Kidney grille bigger than Lexus and a wider headlight profile.
Also, the giant tail lamp design preferred by Audi and Lexus is not on the 5 Series. BMW took the opposite path in the design of the grill.Even electric models use grills of common shape.The BMW 5 series is 7.6cm shorter than the new Lexus ES, slightly narrower in width and lower in body height.Lexus ES is expected to improve handling due to suspension changes. It is unclear whether the competition between the two models will be fierce.
The 5-series mild hybrid model exhibits 483 horsepower and the electric model exhibits up to 593 horsepower.The high-performance M5 is excluded.However, ES's cost-effectiveness can be good at the entry level.The basic 530i has only 255 horsepower. This is clearly lower than the 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid mounted on the base ES 350h.
Both vehicles have almost the same screen size. There are some regrets in terms of integration.One of the notable advantages of the 5 Series is that the iDrive controller remains intact, allowing you to manipulate the screen without the need for touchscreens or complex steering wheel buttons.
The 5 Series has a wider center console. The new Lexus ES has cool steering wheels and its minimal design will certainly appeal to some buyers.
Totally Changed Lexus ES has a huge change. It is clear that it is on par with competing vehicles in terms of technology and style. The biggest unknowns are in power trains and dynamics. Given that the ES was not originally a high-performance vehicle, the smooth ride is expected to remain.
Moreover, the new Lexus ES is expected to be considerably cheaper in terms of price than competitors of the Audi A6 and BMW 5 series. It is expected to be about $10,000 cheaper.Overall, the new ES is likely to gain popularity with high-end vehicle buyers who are less sensitive to dynamic driving performance.
Meanwhile, 7th generation ES models are currently on sale in Korea. It has maintained its ranking in the top 10 sales of imported cars as it has been steadily popular even though its launch period has been long.The 8th generation is expected to be released as early as the second half of this year. Considering the upgraded new ES design and power train, the 8th generation model is also expected to gain high popularity.
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Editor Song Moon-chul mc.song@carguy.kr
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
