The Lexus ES gets refreshed for 2025

Six years after its current seventh generation was first unveiled, the Lexus ES has received a couple of updates, revealed at the 2024 Guangzhou Auto Show in China.

The midsize executive sedan has been one of the Japanese luxury automaker’s most popular offerings since it was first unveiled over 35 years ago in 1989. It received its first set of updates in 2021, and for the 2025 model year it gets a bunch of exterior and interior changes to keep it competitive.

While its exterior looks very identical to before, it gets a slightly redesigned set of matrix LED headlights and its signature spindle grille gets a new pattern, following Lexus’ Seamless design concept. At the back, its taillight clusters have been redesigned with a dual L-shaped lighting pattern and a lightbar connecting the formerly separate units. The Lexus emblem has also been taken-out in favor of the Lexus name spelled-out.

Inside, not much has changed in terms of design. New is its 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system which gets a new interface and touch-sensitive controls. There’s also a new gear-lever.

Under the hood remains the same powertrain choices for the Chinese market. The first is a 2.0-liter M20A-FKS naturally-aspirated Inline 4-cylinder gasoline engine that makes 175 horsepower and 206 Nm of torque, mated to a Direct Shift CVT. 

The second option is a 2.5-liter A25B-FXS Atkinson Cycle engine with an electric motor and battery. This hybrid powertrain produces a total of 218 horsepower and 300 Nm of torque, mated to an E-CVT.

With the Lexus ES being the strongest-selling sedan in the local Lexus lineup, it’s only a matter of time until we get it here. What do you think of the updated Lexus ES?