Lexus ES Finally Has the Tech to Match Its Luxury Reputation

The all-new Lexus ES sedan went on sale earlier this year in fully electric form, with hybrid variants set to arrive in showrooms in June. New powertrains and a fresh design aside, the automaker has now detailed its new Lexus Interface Multimedia Experience, which launched on the ES and will ultimately roll out to other models. It’s a smarter, more personalized and feature-rich system than before, while promising much-improved usability for an automaker that hasn’t always delivered on the infotainment front.

Related: Lexus ES Hybrid Starts at $51K and Arrives in June

Lexus Interface Multimedia System Overview

The previous ES had a much more traditional layout with a small, standard eight-inch touchscreen and numerous quick-access buttons. In the new one, many of these buttons are gone, but the standard screen size has grown to 14 inches. All models get a 12.3-inch digital multi-information display ahead of the driver, too. Here’s a summary of the new features and improved functionality:

• First Lexus integration of AT&T 5G network connectivity
• Faster touchscreen response times
• Configurable home screen with individual widgets
• Quick Control Menu on upper right of touchscreen
• Faster responses from Lexus Voice Assistant (male or female options)
• Native, cloud-based navigation now available in full screen in driver’s display
• New Drive Recorder
• Digital Key for up to five additional drivers
• Available SiriusXM with 360L
• Available Spotify

These improvements bring the ES right up to date with rivals, giving drivers and passengers access to a range of connectivity and entertainment options. Lexus has not forgotten ease of use, though. The configurable home screen and Quick Control Menu (allowing instant access to often-used functions like Bluetooth and screen brightness) prevent users from having to dig deep into the menus to find what they need.

Integration of AT&T 5G improves connectivity speeds, which is useful for the range of streaming options. Do note, however, that some features require a subscription to Drive Connect or Remote Connect. The latter allows for remote control of features like the climate settings, the headlights, and even trunk access, all via the Lexus app.

Safety and Convenience Come Standard, Too

The latest infotainment system marks the debut of the Lexus Drive Recorder. This system can save 90 one-minute clips of continuous looping footage, and also saves vehicle speed and location data. Manual recording is also possible, and incident recordings can be triggered when the G-Sensor is triggered, such as during a collision. These clips can be viewed on the car’s display or downloaded via USB.

For the electric variants specifically, the Lexus Interface introduces EV Charge Management. Using this, drivers can monitor and manage charging on the go. Charge limits and charging schedules can quickly be set, while navigation integration allows you to plan trips based on the location of public chargers.

“We are excited for guests to experience something truly special,” said Brian Inouye, chief engineer, Connected Experiences Division. “We’ve made bold updates to Lexus Interface that deliver both function and performance, with every detail meticulously designed to delight, inform and entertain.”

Related: 2026 Lexus ES Launches With LS-Level Rear-Seat Luxury

What It Means

Lexus has always been viewed as one of the top luxury brands for quality and reliability, but its vehicles often lagged behind German rivals for tech integration. The Remote Touch interface fitted to various vehicles for around a decade was a major weakness—as we experienced in the 2019 Lexus ES—with its mouse-like controller and touchpad being particularly frustrating to use. 

The new Lexus Interface Multimedia Experience successfully banishes memories of that much maligned system. It brings Lexus tech into the modern era and will do the same as it rolls out to other models in the brand’s lineup. This is now an automaker for tech-savvy drivers as much as it is for those who appreciate traditional luxury virtues like comfort, quality, and refinement.

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