The facelifted 2025 Lexus ES has debuted in China donning a revised grille, new exterior lighting and an all-new infotainment system some six years after the current generation was introduced.
Intended primarily for the Chinese market (go figure), the new Lexus ES’ grille gains horizontal elements in place of the old model’s vertical ones while the headlamps gain double-L light signatures and the air intakes have been enlarged.
The big change within the cabin meantime is the big new 14-inch infotainment system in place of the current car’s 12.3-inch unit, however the bigger display has forced designers to relocate the central air vents – they now live beneath the two rotary climate control dials.
Two powertrains will be offered in the 2025 ES’ primary market: a 127kW/206Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder (ES 200) and a gutsier 2.5-litre hybrid (ES 300h) good for 160kW.
Missing from the line-up is the recently upgraded 170kW hybrid as seen in the latest Toyota Camry – this is not a new-generation ES.
The Chinese version also misses out on the locally offered ES 250; a 152kW/243Nm naturally-aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder.
There’s no word yet as to if we’ll get the latest version of the seventh generation ES or if Lexus Australia will skip straight to the all-new eighth generation – tipped to be electric – due by the second half of next year.