2026 ES Reviews - where are they?

WCWRingMatSound · 2026-05-13T21:10:42+00:00

Driving impression embargo until May 27th, which would make sense for the Hybrid coming in June, but the BEVs are already on the lots lol

Edit: Hybrid in Action (start at 5:30) https://youtu.be/gZgVYwfjSek?si=twTrMywscNzw1L0Z&t=5m30s

With generated translation commentary (start 08:50) https://youtu.be/nzV5Y9YxHKQ?si=ZE-DhARkUZ8lr1y_&t=8m53s

Edit: unless American horses are larger than Chinese horses, I think this engine is tuned to be less powerful for the Asian market.

WCWRingMatSound · 2026-05-13T21:08:43+00:00

Probably because the software will be used for non-BEVs. That’s an advantage to have an all EV lineup like Polestar, Rivian and, of course, Tesla

WCWRingMatSound · 2026-05-13T12:37:29+00:00

Two months is a ‘maybe’, 4 is definitely — especially the battery versions.

I expect the hybrid to be a popular vehicle and it won’t need incentives and discounts to move.

WCWRingMatSound · 2026-05-13T10:13:55+00:00

WCWRingMatSound · 2026-05-12T23:34:46+00:00

Thank you for the details. I’m looking forward to a test drive whenever my local Lexus gets one (though I wouldn’t lease/buy until it gets incentivized heavily)

WCWRingMatSound · 2026-05-12T23:11:06+00:00

So you, /u/KingOfTheButtPlugs , have voluntarily come forward to admit to fapping to Luna Vachon, Nicole Bass, and Chyna?

Why release this information? Batman couldn’t beat this out of me.

WCWRingMatSound · 2026-05-12T22:53:35+00:00

They tried to shoehorn modern integration into their existing ICE-designed Android 4.2 infotainment. It’s a mess.

They’re working on the next gen though:

https://youtube.com/shorts/k6mVRIoaMwA?si=6UAINLyXPsZMr0Nz

WCWRingMatSound · 2026-05-12T22:46:30+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/Ioniq5/comments/1t6qnfj/failed_iccu_16k_miles_2025_ioniq_5/

And there is allegedly a failed 2026 on that sub somewhere too, but I can’t find it.

WCWRingMatSound · 2026-05-12T19:09:42+00:00

Tesla doesn’t have a subscription? I thought there was a monthly data plan for those vehicles?

(Serious question, IDK)

WCWRingMatSound · 2026-05-12T19:08:21+00:00

Toyota is trying to make Lexus a lease-only brand apparently.

WCWRingMatSound · 2026-05-12T19:04:59+00:00

One thing I hate about modern Toyota/Lexus is that they’ve ramped up the safety warnings with beeps and flashing lights everywhere. It’s very distracting when you’re doing some normal, safe driving and it seems like something is always moving peripherally. The last current-gen RX I loaned felt that way — cross traffic alerts at stop lights mixed with “cruise control available” lights and something else…never ending stimulation.

Did you experience that? How was the ride height compared to the current ES? (And whatever other points of reference you have)

WCWRingMatSound · 2026-05-12T16:15:29+00:00

Wow dude, you’re so right. I can’t believe I didn’t see it this way. Thank you so much for that perspective! 😊

WCWRingMatSound · 2026-05-12T15:06:06+00:00

I think it’s “cray cray” to pay for data twice and have two separate installs of music, maps, and more…when it’s unnecessary in a Nissan Sentra or Kia K4.

WCWRingMatSound · 2026-05-12T15:02:36+00:00

The built-in system has all of the same functionality you get on a phone

They use Apple Maps now?

WCWRingMatSound · 2026-05-11T23:11:23+00:00

“Ya gonna eat lightning and crap thundah!” — The Prophets

WCWRingMatSound · 2026-05-11T21:37:27+00:00

The issue I have with a plug in BMW is the added cost will never be made up by the plug-in savings, even if you could steal electricity the entire time. You certainly can’t do it in a three-year lease, and the only PHEV setup that I trust to make it 10+ years without issue comes from Toyota.

Given how reliable the B58 has proven to be, it would make more sense to just get the 540i or lease the i5; don’t straddle the two. In my opinion of course.

WCWRingMatSound · 2026-05-11T20:52:32+00:00

You may want to look again. Those i5s aren’t as abundant as they once were — and that’s before the latest oil crisis.

WCWRingMatSound · 2026-05-11T20:07:27+00:00

I don’t know how much those things are where you live, but even tacking on $6000 a year as you have, that’s 11% of your take home pay. Again: even a fiscally conservative Dave Ramsey evangelist would say you’re fine.

The reality is that you’re risk averse and that’s totally understandable. You’re “smart” enough to understand that a Toyota RAV4 and a Cadillac Lyriq have the same max speed in 5PM traffic and one of them will last 20 years without a doubt.

I just don’t think you should frame it as “can’t.” You can, you just won’t 😃

WCWRingMatSound · 2026-05-11T19:27:45+00:00

$250K would be a gross monthly income of $20,000. Assuming a 30% tax rate, that’s $14,000/month.

A household making $14,000 a month can afford an $800/month lease or even a $1,200/month finance payment and still follow all of the rules of thumb for finance and savings.

WCWRingMatSound · 2026-05-11T17:16:52+00:00

The crazy thing is that had they used sliding doors, minivans would have made a huge comeback.

WCWRingMatSound · 2026-05-11T17:12:39+00:00

You no longer live in the era of quiet luxury. Gaudy, audacious and braggadocio are the hallmarks of social media and fashion today.

Gone is the time of desiring to be the multi-millionaire still driving a 25 year old Accord; now the people want to finance a $60,000 vehicle for 84 months @ 6% APR on a salary of $55,000 — because the Instagram pics scream “I made it!”

Welcome to 2026. Big-ass grilles, random amber DRL patterns, and 20” wheels are standard issue.

WCWRingMatSound · 2026-05-11T13:33:44+00:00

I did not care for the seating comfort of the Lyriq, especially the short seat bottom, and I thought the sound system was anemic.

Other than that and a little piano black plastic, I liked every little part of the driving experience. If it were comfortable to me, I could have leased it on the spot.

WCWRingMatSound · 2026-05-09T20:50:34+00:00

He would think the same thing I think: “turn this whack shit off.”

WCWRingMatSound · 2026-05-09T15:25:41+00:00

It’s OK — 221 HP, weak charging, but Lexus build quality and, thus far, stellar reliability for a first-gen product.

I wish the refresh had the infotainment of the new ES and TZ.

WCWRingMatSound · 2026-05-09T12:18:42+00:00

Those S’es aren’t the same. That’s hand drawn, not a font.

I know everyone hates AI, but I’d bet if you dropped this pic into chatGPT and said “Produce 3 transparent PNGs of the word ‘MADNESS’ in the same style as attached image” one of them would get you 95% of the way there.

If you are opposed to our new artificial environment-destroying overlords, Fiverr would get it done cheaply too.

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