Even though the ES has been around since 2018, Lexus isn’t ready to roll out a next-generation model just yet. After the facelift launched in 2021, another update has just been introduced in China. The revised luxury sedan debuted at the Auto Guangzhou show alongside the LX 700h. The ES is a big deal locally, selling over a million units to date.
Although it is just another facelift, quite a few things have changed on the outside. The corporate spindle grille has a new pattern inspired by the RX. Those matrix LED headlights sharpen the front fascia with their double “L”-shaped motif. At the rear, Lexus couldn’t miss the opportunity to install a light bar to keep up with design trends. That ‘L’ graphic is also embedded in the updated taillights.
Jumping inside, the revised ES for China gets a 14-inch touchscreen that has unfortunately gobbled up the climate controls. As a result, the center console houses fewer physical buttons, along with a revised gear lever “more in line with the usage habits of young Chinese customers.” Customers can order the chic sedan with a Snowy Night White interior theme or a two-tone Tanzanite Snow Night. The interior modifications are rounded out with a Silver Lance Moon Ridge upholstery.
It is unclear whether the ES for the United States will benefit from these adjustments. The Mercedes E-Class competitor has already entered the 2025 model year here, so this second facelift probably won’t come before the 2026 model year. Lexus’ decision to revise the current model again indicates that the car will stick around for a few more years before the eighth generation arrives. When the time comes, expect the updated ES to borrow heavily from the latest Toyota Camry.
In the meantime, the 2024 Los Angeles Auto Show starts next week, so perhaps we’ll see the 2026 ES at the event.
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