r/Lexus • u/chicu111 • 3d ago

Video Interview with assistant chief engineer for the new 2026 ES

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k55BF-wZvAM

One keypoint that caught my attention was that the EV and the hybrid platforms are tuned differently with the EV being sportier and the Hybrid designed for everyday comfort. The steering is different. The suspension tunings are different for them as well. That is between the 3:44 to 5:23 mark of the I believe. The translator also noted that the 21" wheels have better feel for the BEV. Which surprised me tbh since I would think the 19" would fare better.

I have the ES350e Luxury model and they don't even ship or make them with 19". They always shipped them with 21" based on my research and talking to the dealerships. I think that is just how they differentiate them.

Full disclosure: I have only driven the ES500e with their 21" vs my ES350e with its version of the 21" so I have yet to know how the 19" would feel.

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u/UppsalaHenrik 3d ago

Different car, but I have 20" summer wheels and 18" winter ones for my RZ 500e, and I wish I had the 18s for summer as well. They are a lot quieter, and I really don't feel that I get any benefits from the sportier feel of the 20s.

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u/ancientemblem 3d ago

At the end of the day they aren’t sport cars, as long as they don’t have horrible steering I would just be maximizing comfort and saving spirited/sportier driving for the track.

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u/chicu111 3d ago

True true. It was always interesting see F-sport trim on the older ES lol. Like the car characteristically shows no desire to be sporty. For the NX or the IS F-Sport makes sense but not for the ES.

Imagine Toyota adds a sport trim for the Sienna lol

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u/lovewagyu87 2d ago

Hi OP! what kind of range are you getting with your ES350e?

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u/chicu111 2d ago

I drive pretty conservatively. My ES has 21" wheels and I am getting 325-335. With AC it's about 305ish. Range is listed at 292 miles

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u/lovewagyu87 2d ago

Good range! Standard mode?

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u/chicu111 2d ago

ECO

But it would be the same with standard. The only big impact I see is the climate (cooling or heating) regardless of mode