Lexus Philippines launches eighth-generation ES, brand's first battery electric sedan

Lexus Philippines has introduced the eighth-generation Lexus ES, a vastly evolved version of the nameplate that ushers in, for the first time, full electrification in the Japan-headquartered automaker's sedan line.

The local debut is the expected culmination of an experience last May, when "Velocity" was invited to San Diego, California for the "global dynamic press launch" of the ES — joining journalists from all over the world who got behind the wheel and learned everything about the luxury vehicle. The model had been presented to the world weeks earlier at Auto Shanghai in April 2025 with an entirely electrified range — the first ES generation offered without a purely combustion-engine variant.

Speaking at the local unveiling held at the Lexus Manila Gallery, Lexus Philippines Chairman Alfred V. Ty noted the model's long history in the country. "The ES has been in the Philippines since Lexus arrived 17 years ago," he said. "Your new ES delivers the most evocative and expansive change ever. It combines a redesigned exterior, a more spacious cabin, and a renewed platform and powertrain. An extended wheelbase, along with improvements to the body and chassis, elevates ride comfort, handling stability, and interior space, ensuring the ES transforms itself while staying true to its heritage."

The ES nameplate itself dates to 1989, making it one of the longest-running models in the Lexus lineup and a consistent volume driver for the brand across global markets.

While the entry of the latest ES into the Philippines was preordained, the inclusion of the battery electric vehicle (BEV) variant was not.

"We want to cater to every type of lifestyle, every kind of customer who wants electrified vehicle," said Lexus Manila President Carlo Ablaza in an exclusive interview. "It may be an HEV or BEV; customers now are already installing solar panels in their homes. If they want to maximize electrification and have the budget for the ES, they can get the BEV."

The ES 350e is not the marque's first battery electric offering in the country — the UX 300e and RZ crossovers preceded it — but it is the first to arrive in sedan form.

Design and dimensions

The design brief for the Lexus ES is "Clean Tech and Elegance," bestowing the vehicle with a minimalist yet attractive look said to be drawn from the LF-ZC Concept revealed at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show.

The all-new ES is larger in every aspect than the generation it supplants: 165 mm longer at 5,140 mm, wider by 55 mm at 1,920 mm, and taller by 110 mm for the hybrid version at 1,555 mm and by 115 mm for the BEV grade at 1,560 mm. Significantly, the wheelbase has grown by 80 mm to 2,950 mm — translating to more generous cabin space.

The front bears what Lexus calls the "accentuated resolute look," an evolved version of the brand's signature spindle face. A sharply angled nose and a sleeker body deliver both aesthetic benefits and a lower coefficient of drag. Twin L-Signature lamps uniquely incorporate the L-shape typical of Lexus models, with the daytime running lights pointing inward and the turn signals pointing outward.

On both the battery electric and hybrid versions, the grille shutters can open and close to admit and manage airflow into the motor or engine compartment, helping reduce aerodynamic drag and increase range or fuel economy.

The side profile showcases what Lexus calls a "single-motion silhouette," highlighting the ES's low center of gravity. A smooth curve ends in a fastback-like rear that is aesthetically pleasing while mitigating wind drag, and an S-shaped black character line adds dynamism while making the ES appear even lower than it is.

At the rear, the aspiration to project a lower profile is again on full display. The fascia and the execution of the lines also widen the car's look, and an unbroken lighting strip features the Lexus typography at top center, dispensing with the L logo. Lexus said the ES trunk space is class-leading: with a spare tire fitted, it can hold three golf bags or two suitcases — an 86-liter and a 75-liter.

Interior and technology

Designers aimed for "living room-like comfort and relaxation (or workspace productivity)" in the ES. The overarching motif interprets the concept of Tazuna, the Japanese word for a horse's reins — the idea of enabling a driver to form a relationship with the vehicle, much like a rider and horse. This also means reductionist thinking, dispensing with extraneous clutter.

Lexus gives the ES its largest display yet: an all-new 14-inch, full high-definition touchscreen on the dash, equipped with a multi-domain information feature for at-a-glance convenience. The latest version of LexusConnect boasts quadruple the processing speed and eight times the memory storage capacity of the outgoing system.

The highly legible 12.3-inch instrument cluster offers six layout options, which drivers can change through a steering-wheel-mounted control. For added safety and convenience, a legible head-up display has also been optimized to afford the driver a greater field of view relative to the line of sight.

The hybrid ES 350h Executive features synthetic leather upholstery and a 10-speaker audio system, while the Luxury variant receives perforated synthetic leather seating and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson Premium Surround Sound System. The pure electric ES 350e is equipped with semi-aniline leather upholstery and a premium 17-speaker Mark Levinson system, together with Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) "to create the most refined and engaging ES driving experience yet."

A multi-pathway approach

"It goes back to our multi-pathway approach," insisted Mr. Ablaza, explaining the decision to bring in the two available powertrains. With the uptick in electrified mobility, it is harvest season for Lexus in the Philippines, which was among the pioneering purveyors of the hybrid powertrain long before it became fashionable.

"When we first introduced hybrid vehicles, we really had to educate the customers," he continued. "Some thought that traditional hybrids still needed to be charged. Today it's not the case, helped by the resurgence of electric vehicles and interest in EVs because of the oil crisis. We don't have to sell the concept to many of our customers. They understand the benefits."

Government policy has moved in the same direction: the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (Republic Act No. 11697), signed into law in 2022, extends fiscal and non-fiscal incentives meant to accelerate EV adoption in the country.

While Mr. Ablaza said the Philippines remains "an SUV country" whether for luxury or mass markets, he continues to believe there is still a niche for the "more dynamic sedans of Lexus that feature newer technology and styling." After all, he maintained, there are people who like to be chauffeur-driven in them.

"It's still so much nicer to ride in a sedan than an SUV; the comfort is there because of the rigid sedan platform," he said.

Pricing

The all-new Lexus ES is priced as follows: ES 350h Executive (P4.108 million), ES 350h Luxury (P4.308 million), and the ES 350e battery electric vehicle (P5.688 million). The ES 350e carries a premium of P1.38 million over the range-topping ES 350h Luxury.