The eighth-generation Lexus ES has arrived in Aotearoa New Zealand and for the first time in its history is available as a fully electric model.
Landing across three grades, two hybrids and the all-electric (ES 300h Premium, ES 300h Limited, and the new ES 500e Dynamic), this ES is arguably Lexus’ most design-led range yet.
“We came up with a concept called ‘Time is Luxury’,” reveals Chief Designer Yahiko Kumai. “This concept prioritises making sure that time spent in the car is perceived as luxurious time. We wanted to make the cabin space into a kind of second living room – a place where all occupants can feel totally relaxed, an experience that will inspire all the senses.”
A plethora of details reinforce the philosophy. Touch switches sit flush and dark until they’re needed, then illuminate. New-generation front seats use a split construction aimed at improving ride comfort over longer stints. Ambient lighting runs to 14 themes and 50 colours on the Limited, alongside a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system and a digital rear-view mirror. On the 500e Dynamic, the lighting is diffused through bamboo trim for something closer to a soft, layered glow than a light show.
Such restraint, dressed up as tech, feels very on-brand for Lexus’ ‘Clean Tech x Elegance’ design language – and it carries through to the 500e’s exterior, where 21-inch grey metallic alloys, matte black aero wheel covers and a dedicated aero package mark it out from the hybrids.
“We spend a lot of time in our cars in New Zealand, whether that’s commuting, travelling between cities or heading away for the weekend,” says Lexus New Zealand Vice President Andrew Davis. “So luxury isn’t just about what you can see or touch. It’s also about how you feel after you’ve spent an hour or two in the car.”
The new ES is also 165mm longer and up to 115mm taller than its predecessor, and nearly all of that extra length has gone into the back seat – a deliberate call, given how much of the sedan’s traditional appeal has always been about the passenger experience as much as the drive.
“That’s where the thinking behind this ES really comes through, continues Andrew. “It’s quiet and spacious, but there are also small details like the lighting, seating and the way the technology sits within the cabin that make it an enjoyable place to spend time.”
Adding to the excitement, the new range debuts Lexus Connected Services in New Zealand – remote lock/unlock, climate control, vehicle tracking and an SOS emergency function, all via app – alongside an updated Lexus Safety System+ that adds a High Definition Adaptive High-Beam System, sharper Lane Trace Assist and a camera-based Driver Monitor for fatigue and inattention.
The 500e Dynamic pairs E-Four all-wheel drive with a 74.69kWh battery and 252kW of total system output, good for a WLTP range of 465km and 0–100km/h in 5.5 seconds. Paddle-operated ‘virtual gears’ via Lexus’ Interactive Manual Drive give it something closer to a hybrid’s engagement than the usual EV silence, while Adaptive Variable Suspension comes standard.
The two 300h hybrids run Lexus’ new sixth-generation hybrid system – a 2.5-litre engine paired with an E-CVT and lithium-ion battery – for a combined system output of 144kW.
For Andrew, the point of offering both hybrid and electric isn’t to pick a side: “There isn’t one pathway that suits every customer, which is why having both hybrid and fully electric options in the ES range matters. What connects all three models is the experience Lexus has set out to create.”
“It really moves the idea of a traditional sedan forward,” continues the VP. “The design inside and out feels completely new, but it’s still just as much about the experience of the people travelling in it as the person behind the wheel.”
The all-new range is now on display at Lexus Dealerships nationwide, ready to view and test drive. Pricing starts at $96,900 +ORC for the ES 300h Premium, rising to $104,900 +ORC for the Limited and $109,900 +ORC for the ES 500e Dynamic.
Visit lexus.co.nz to find out more.
