New Lexus ES arrives in the UAE from AED 230,000

Lexus has launched the eighth-generation ES in the UAE, giving its luxury sedan a choice of hybrid and fully electric power for the first time. The ES 350h hybrid starts at AED 230,000, while the fully equipped ES 500e electric model is priced at AED 275,000. Both were unveiled alongside the electric RZ 500e at the UAE launch on 8 October.

The new ES range gives buyers a familiar ownership choice: keep petrol refuelling with the hybrid, or move to an EV within the same sedan family. The redesign also brings a 14-inch multimedia display, a new approach to cabin controls and an updated safety package.

How much does the new Lexus ES cost in the UAE?

The opening price is AED 230,000 for the ES 350h hybrid. Lexus described the AED 275,000 ES 500e as fully equipped, so the AED 45,000 difference compares the range’s starting point with the specified electric model. Buyers will need an equivalent hybrid trim quotation to establish how much extra they are paying for electric power alone. Our Al-Futtaim Flex Drive explainer also explains why finance buyers should compare the complete repayment schedule.

These are the figures announced at the UAE presentation. Lexus did not identify the efficiency and range test cycles in the presentation, so treat the numbers as manufacturer claims rather than local road-test results.

What changes with the ES 350h hybrid?

The ES 350h produces 244hp, with Lexus claiming 12% more power and 15% better fuel efficiency than the outgoing hybrid. Its quoted 27.7km per litre works out to approximately 3.6 litres per 100km. That conversion makes the claim easier to compare with other cars’ figures, although a meaningful comparison still requires the same test cycle.

As a conventional hybrid, the ES 350h does not need to be plugged in. That keeps it relevant for drivers who cannot charge where they park, or whose routine includes frequent long journeys. It also means existing ES hybrid owners can move to the new generation without adding charging stops or arranging a home installation.

For high-mileage buyers, the efficiency improvement is potentially more useful than the extra power. Whether it translates into the promised fuel savings on UAE roads will need local testing, particularly at motorway speeds and with the air conditioning working through summer.

What does the electric ES 500e offer?

The ES 500e combines a 74.6kWh battery with 338hp and Lexus’ DIRECT4 all-wheel-drive system. Lexus quotes 0–100km/h in 5.5 seconds and a 465km driving range. It brings the ES into the electric sedan market while retaining the model’s focus on comfort and refinement.

The practical question is how that range fits the owner’s routine. A predictable commute and reliable charging at home or work make an EV easier to accommodate. The advertised figure doesn’t show how far this particular ES will travel on a hot UAE motorway, and Lexus didn’t provide a local summer-range result at launch.

Charging specifications also deserve a separate check with the dealer: the presentation’s 30-minute charging claim was made for the RZ. An ES buyer should confirm the UAE car’s charging capability and installation options before planning around that figure.

What is new inside the eighth-generation ES?

The new cabin combines a 12.3-inch instrument display with a 14-inch multimedia screen. Lexus also highlighted a head-up display, ambient lighting, semi-aniline leather and an advanced parking system. A detailed specification sheet will establish how those features are distributed across the hybrid grades and electric model.

The most distinctive change is the responsive hidden switches. Lexus’ technical explanation of the new ES describes controls concealed beneath the dashboard trim until the car is switched on, when illuminated icons reveal their functions. These include temperature and demisting controls. This approach simplifies the dashboard while keeping those functions in a dedicated location.

Lexus Safety System+ 4 was also announced for the new ES, with the presentation highlighting adaptive cruise control, road-sign recognition, lane-tracing assistance, safe-exit assistance and parking support braking. Buyers should check the equipment fitted to their chosen grade.

Why does this launch matter for UAE buyers?

Lexus says nearly 30,000 ES and ES hybrid cars have reached the UAE since the model’s local introduction in 1998, with hybrid versions joining in 2018. The company specifically highlighted private owners and luxury limousine operators at the launch, two audiences for whom comfort and running costs both matter.

The eighth generation gives those buyers two routes forward. The hybrid preserves familiar refuelling habits while promising lower consumption; the electric version adds a new powertrain choice for owners with suitable charging access. For either car, the next useful step is a test drive and a complete grade quotation that makes the equipment and ownership costs clear.

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