The new Lexus ES sedan will soon launch in South Africa, available in both hybrid and – for the first time – fully electric form. Here’s what it will cost you…
- New ES range comprises 3 variants
- Pair of HEV derivatives & EV flagship
- Starting price crosses into 7 figures
The new Lexus ES is scheduled to hit the market in South Africa soon, offered in both traditional hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) and fully electric vehicle (EV) guise. And Cars.co.za can confirm pricing for this 8th-generation luxury sedan ahead of launch.
Revealed in China in April 2025, the new ES measures 5 140 mm from nose to tail, making its some 165 mm longer than the outgoing version. The wheelbase, meanwhile, grows 80 mm to 2 950 mm, with overall height and width both up, too.
With the IS and LS no longer available new in Mzansi, the ES soldiers on as the last surviving Lexus sedan. The local XZ20-series Lexus ES line-up again comprises a trio of derivatives. However, while the outgoing portfolio featured purely petrol-powered and hybrid derivatives, the 8th-gen version is offered in both hybrid and – for the first time – fully electric form.
The new Lexus ES 350h EX is priced at R1 051 200. With the old petrol-only ES 250 EX gone, the range’s starting price effectively increases by R199 700 (meaning the ES no longer represents the entry point to the broader Lexus line-up, with the R957 100 UX 300h EX – the only Lexus derivative still priced under 7 figures – inheriting that role).
The new ES 350h EX draws its urge from what Lexus describes as an “upgraded” version of the 7th-gen model’s 2.5-litre self-charging hybrid powertrain, which again powers the front wheels. While the naturally aspirated 4-pot alone delivers 139 kW and 235 Nm via a continuously variable transmission (CVT), total system power stands at 182 kW thanks to the hybrid system’s electric motor.
The new Lexus ES 350h SE employs precisely the same HEV powertrain – and thus has an identical claimed 0-100 kph time of 7.7 seconds – but starts at R1 232 700, since it features additional standard kit (more on that in a bit). Both hybrid derivatives have a listed fuel economy of 4.4 L/100 km.
Finally, the Lexus ES 350e SE – which arrives as the Toyota-backed luxury brand’s 2nd fully electric offering after the RZ – tops the 8th-gen ES range, priced from R1 561 000. Equipped with a front-mounted electric motor, the ES 350e SE generates peak system power of 165 kW, which affords it a claimed 0-100 kph time of 8.0 seconds.
This EV’s 74.69 kWh lithium-ion battery pack offers a listed 615 km of single-charge range, though it’s worth noting that’s using the typically optimistic NEDC standard. According to Lexus, a 150 kW public DC fast charger can move the battery capacity from zero to 80% in just 30 minutes. Top speed is listed as 160 kph, down from the HEV variants’ maximum of 200 kph.
So, what are the key equipment differences between the trio of derivatives? Well, the ES 350h EX ships standard with items like 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlamps (with auto high beams), faux-leather upholstery, powered front seats, a 14-inch touchscreen, a reverse-view camera, a 10-speaker sound system, a panoramic sunroof, 7 airbags and a raft of advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) features.
The ES 350h SE adds features like side-mirror memory, a digital rear-view mirror, steering-wheel heating, a head-up display, a panoramic-view monitor, heated-and-ventilated front seats, a 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system and wireless smartphone charging. Finally, the flagship ES 350e SE furthermore boasts 21-inch alloy wheels, adaptive high beams and semi-aniline leather upholstery.
What does the new Lexus ES cost in South Africa?
| DERIVATIVE | PRICE |
| Lexus ES 350h EX | R1 051 200 |
| Lexus ES 350h SE | R1 232 700 |
| Lexus ES 350e SE | R1 561 000 |
The prices above include a 7-year/105 000 km vehicle warranty, an 8-year/160 000 km battery pack warranty (applicable to both the HEV and EV batteries) and a 7-year/105 000 km maintenance plan.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the starting price for the new 8th-generation Lexus ES in South Africa?
A: The new Lexus ES range starts at R1 051 200 for the entry-level ES 350h EX hybrid derivative. The mid-tier ES 350h SE is priced from R1 232 700, while the range-topping, fully electric ES 350e SE tops the lineup at R1 561 000.
Q: What powertrains are offered in the local Lexus ES range?
A: The line-up consists of two powertrain types: an updated 2.5-litre self-charging hybrid (HEV) producing a total system output of 182 kW in the ES 350h models and a single front-mounted electric motor producing 165 kW in the fully electric (EV) ES 350e SE.
Q: What are the battery performance and range figures for the first-ever electric Lexus ES 350e SE?
A: The Lexus ES 350e SE features a 74.69 kWh lithium-ion battery pack offering a claimed NEDC range of up to 615 km. It supports 150 kW DC fast charging, allowing a 0 to 80% charge in approximately 30 minutes, and achieves a 0–100 km/h sprint in 8.0 seconds.
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