2026 Lexus Lineup Preview: New Electrics, Old-School Charm, and a V8 Farewell Worth Toasting
By Nik Miles – Test Miles
Subhead:
Lexus is making more moves than a Formula Drift finale. With a triple-play of redesigned BEVs, hybrid powertrains, and one last glorious V8, the brand isn’t just keeping up with electrification—it’s rewriting its own script. Again.
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Why does this matter now?
Because Lexus is about to drop the biggest brand bombshell since its founding—according to Lexus, mind you—at this fall’s Japan Mobility Show. And if their latest model reveals are any indication, it’ll be more than just another badge swap and a press release full of adjectives.
In the meantime, Lexus has quietly launched a product offensive that blends plug-in futurism with luxury you can feel, smell, and, in one case, hear at 7,000 rpm.
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Let’s start with the headliner: The 2026 Lexus ES Goes Electric… and Hybrid… and Bigger
The ES has long been the quiet overachiever of the Lexus lineup. Less flashy than an RX, more useful than a GS (RIP), and beloved by folks who think acceleration should never ruffle their hair.
But the 2026 Lexus ES is different. It’s built on an all-new platform designed to handle everything from electrons to internal combustion without breaking a sweat—or the bank.
Key specs:
• Powertrains: ES350H (hybrid), ES350E (BEV, FWD), ES500E (BEV, AWD)
• Estimated range: 300 miles (BEV, FWD, 19” wheels)
• Charging: 10–80% in ~30 mins (ideal DC conditions)
• Suspension: First-time multi-link setup for ES
• Interior options: Bamboo layering or embossed synthetic leather—because why not
And yes, there’s an Executive Rear Seat Package with reclining, massaging seats and a fold-forward ottoman. It’s like flying first class without the turbulence or the tiny orange juice.
Who’s this for?
If you’ve been waiting for a Lexus that combines the quiet calm of a Buddhist temple with the torque of a startup EV, this is your moment. For everyone else, it’s a hint of how Lexus plans to electrify without alienating its core audience: people who don’t want to be guinea pigs for unfinished tech.
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The RZ Grows Up: A Real Luxury BEV, Not Just a Compliance Car
Remember the BZ4X? No, you don’t. That’s the point.
The 2026 Lexus RZ lineup expands and improves dramatically. This is Lexus doing electric on its own terms, which means more range, more power, and—yes—a faux manual paddle-shift system complete with simulated engine noise. Because silence, apparently, isn’t golden for everyone.
RZ550E F Sport Highlights:
• Horsepower: 402
• Drive: Direct4 AWD
• Gimmick Level: High, but charming—8 simulated gears and engine sound included
• Range: 300 miles (RZ350E with 18” wheels)
• Looks: Sportier, blacked-out accents, spoiler, aero wheels
• Interior: Black ultrasuede with blue stitching—think Tron meets Tokyo lounge
Why now?
Because Lexus finally realized Tesla isn’t the only benchmark. The RZ is targeting the sweet spot: more engaging than a Model Y, more refined than a Mustang Mach-E, and less preachy than anything with a Polestar badge.
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The IS 500 Ultimate Edition: A Love Letter to Internal Combustion
While the rest of the lineup hums into the future, the IS 500 Ultimate Edition roars defiantly in the rearview. This is Lexus saying a proper farewell to its naturally aspirated V8—not with a whisper, but with 500 special-edition tire-shredding invitations.
Spec sheet for the nostalgists:
• Engine: 5.0L V8, no turbos, no nonsense
• Wheels: 19-inch gray BBS
• Brakes: Brembo front calipers, because of course
• Interior: Red and black with a numbered badge, like all great collector cars
• Color: F Sport-exclusive “Wind” (insert poetic sigh here)
• Units: Only 500, so blink and you’ll miss it
It’s not cheap, it’s not subtle, and it’s definitely not coming back. But it is very, very good.
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So what’s the long-term significance here?
Lexus isn’t just adding EVs to check a regulatory box. It’s reengineering how luxury fits into the electric age. By offering multi-pathway powertrains—hybrid, BEV, and that lone glorious V8—it’s betting that flexibility, not fanaticism, will win the decade.
The brand’s global message? “Experience Amazing.” But with this lineup, it’s more like: “Experience Options.”
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Final Thoughts
While the industry zigzags between electrification and existential dread over tariffs, Lexus is doing what Lexus does best—offering technology that works, comfort that endures, and just enough excitement to keep enthusiasts from wandering off to BMW.
The only question left is what on Earth they’re planning to announce at the Japan Mobility Show. A new halo car? A hydrogen-powered LF-A revival? Your guess is as good as mine—but you’ll want to be paying attention.
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Like what you’ve read? Stay in the driver’s seat with more insider automotive insights. Follow @NikJMiles and @TestMiles for stories that go beyond the press release.
