Manny Ita
Lexus has officially introduced the eighth-generation 2026 Lexus ES, signaling a major strategic shift by moving the best-selling luxury sedan to an exclusively electrified lineup. For the 2026 model year, Lexus has discontinued all traditional internal combustion engines, offering instead a range of hybrid and battery-electric (BEV) options.
The new lineup includes the ES 350h hybrid, which features an upgraded 2.5-liter powertrain producing 243 horsepower, alongside the brand’s first-ever all-electric ES variants: the front-wheel-drive ES 350e and the high-performance, all-wheel-drive ES 500e. The ES 500e utilizes Lexus’s “DIRECT4” intelligent torque distribution system to deliver an estimated 338 horsepower. Inside, the cabin has been completely overhauled with a standard 14-inch touchscreen and the new Lexus Safety System+ 4.0, while the exterior features a “spindle body” design concept aimed at lowering the vehicle’s center of gravity.
Concurrently, Lexus has refreshed the 2026 IS Sport Sedan for its third facelift of the current generation. While the IS 350 retains its 311-horsepower V-6 engine, the model range has been slimmed down, notably resulting in the discontinuation of the V-8 powered IS 500. The updated IS features a restyled interior now equipped with a standard 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and an improved 12.3-inch infotainment display, replacing the previous 8-inch unit. These updates across the Lexus sedan portfolio emphasize a commitment to modernizing the user experience through integrated “eAxle” technology and enhanced structural rigidity.
In the truck segment, Ford is generating significant industry interest with the revival of the Ranchero nameplate for 2026. Positioned as a compact, unibody utility vehicle, the new Ranchero is expected to slot below the Maverick in Ford’s hierarchy, targeting an affordable entry price point in the low $20,000s. Alongside this revival, Ford has expanded its mid-size truck capabilities with the launch of the Ranger Super Duty.
This new variant features a reinforced chassis, upgraded axles, and a heavy-duty suspension designed for “extreme towing and off-road work,” boasting a class-leading 4,500kg gross vehicle mass (GVM). The company has also scheduled a major announcement for January 15, 2026, which many analysts believe will preview a new high-performance “production road car” developed by the recently rebranded Ford Racing division.
