Next-Gen Lexus ES India Launch Confirmed for March 20, 2026

Seven years. That is how long the current Lexus ES has been on sale in India. And in those seven years, it quietly became one of the better-selling luxury sedans in the country — not by being flashy, but by being genuinely refined and reliable. The ES contributes to around 50 percent of Lexus India's total sales which tells you how important this car is for the brand here.

Now the next generation is almost here. Lexus has confirmed the new-gen ES will launch in India on March 20, 2026 — less than a year after its global debut.

That is a fast turnaround by Lexus India standards, and it signals how seriously they are taking this market.

How Is the New Design Different From the Old One?

This is probably the biggest change. The current ES has smooth, flowing lines that look elegant but safe. The new one throws all of that out.

Up front, the new ES gets Z-shaped LED lights that carry the DRLs and indicators, with the main headlamp units sitting below them, hidden behind gloss-black vertical trim pieces. The iconic Lexus spindle grille is gone — replaced by a clean air dam at the base of the bumper flanked by a diamond pattern design.

On the sides, a sharp crease runs across the body highlighted with gloss-black trim, along with new alloy wheel designs and a sloping roofline. At the back, a slim full-width LED light bar carries illuminated LEXUS lettering, with L-shaped chrome-lined creases underneath.

The new ES is also physically bigger than before — 165mm longer, 55mm wider and 110-115mm taller. The wheelbase has grown by 80mm too, measuring 2,950mm now. More size means more cabin space, which matters a lot for a luxury sedan where rear passengers expect to be comfortable.

What Does the Cabin Look Like?

Inside is where the generational shift really shows. The old ES had buttons everywhere — the kind of layout that felt thorough but looked cluttered. The new one has moved most of those functions into a 14-inch infotainment touchscreen that supports OTA updates. The centre console controls are now touch-capacitive, though the steering wheel thankfully retains physical buttons.

Equipment on offer includes a 12.3-inch digital driver display, Mark Levinson surround sound system, electrochromic panoramic glass roof, ADAS, configurable ambient lighting, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, powered front seats with memory function, reclining rear seats and Boss mode for the rear passenger.

On NVH — always a Lexus strength — the company says it has improved door sealing and used high sound insulation glass on the front doors to make the cabin quieter than before. That is exactly what luxury sedan buyers expect.

What Engine Will It Get in India?

Globally, the new ES is available with both hybrid and full electric powertrains. Since the current ES is sold in hybrid form in India, the new model is also expected to come here as a hybrid. An EV variant has not been confirmed for India yet.

The hybrid lineup globally consists of three options. The ES 300h comes with either a 197hp 2.0-litre or a 201hp 2.5-litre petrol-hybrid setup. The ES 350h uses the 2.5-litre engine in a stronger 247hp state of tune. All hybrid variants are paired to an e-CVT gearbox and available in both FWD and AWD configurations.

For India, the 300h is the most likely option to launch first — the same route Lexus has taken with the outgoing model.

What Is the Expected Price of the New Lexus ES in India?

Lexus has not announced official pricing yet — that will happen at the March 20 launch event. Based on current information, the new ES is expected to start at around Rs 68 lakh to Rs 70 lakh ex-showroom. a step up from the current model which starts at Rs 62.65 lakh. The increase is expected given the bigger size, updated technology and new platform.

Like the outgoing ES, the new model may also be sold via the CKD route in India to help keep the pricing competitive against German rivals.