Lexus ES500e Launched at ₹89.99 Lakh — Brand's First EV in India

Lexus India has officially entered the electric vehicle segment with the launch of the ES500e, the brand's first battery electric vehicle for the Indian market. Priced at ₹89.99 lakh (ex-showroom), the ES500e is a fully electric luxury sedan that slots into the premium EV space currently dominated by the Mercedes-Benz EQE and BMW i5. Built on a dedicated EV platform, the ES500e promises 580 km of claimed range from its 74.68 kWh battery pack, dual-motor all-wheel drive producing 343 hp, and the kind of refinement that Lexus buyers have come to expect. Bookings are now open across all Lexus dealerships in India.

Pricing and Availability

The Lexus ES500e is available in a single, fully-loaded variant priced at ₹89.99 lakh (ex-showroom). This positions it squarely in the luxury electric sedan space, undercutting the Mercedes-Benz EQE (₹1.01 crore onwards) while sitting above the BMW i4 eDrive40 (₹72.50 lakh). Given that Lexus prices its vehicles uniformly across India, the ex-showroom figure remains the same whether you're buying in Delhi, Mumbai, or Bengaluru.

Lexus India operates through its Guest Experience Centres in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai, with after-sales support available through its expanding service network. Bookings are open now with deliveries expected to begin by April 2026. Lexus is offering a complimentary home charger installation for early buyers, along with a free three-year maintenance package.

It's worth noting that as a CBU (Completely Built Unit) import, the ES500e attracts significant customs duty. Lexus has absorbed some of the cost to keep the price competitive, but the sticker still reflects India's high import tax structure for luxury EVs. Buyers in metro cities like those browsing used cars in Delhi or used cars in Mumbai will be the primary audience for this launch.

Powertrain, Battery, and Range

At the heart of the ES500e is a 74.68 kWh lithium-ion battery pack paired with a dual-motor setup — one on each axle — delivering a combined output of 343 hp and 430 Nm of torque. This gives the sedan all-wheel drive as standard, a rarity in the Indian luxury sedan segment. Lexus claims a range of 580 km on a single charge under the WLTP cycle, though real-world Indian driving conditions — particularly highway speeds and air conditioning use — will likely bring that closer to 450–480 km.

Performance is brisk for a luxury sedan. The ES500e sprints from 0 to 100 kph in 5.5 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 200 kph. Lexus has tuned the power delivery to be smooth and progressive rather than neck-snapping, staying true to the brand's comfort-first philosophy. There are four drive modes — Eco, Normal, Sport, and Custom — each adjusting throttle response, steering weight, and regenerative braking intensity.

Design and Dimensions

The ES500e carries Lexus's latest design language with the signature spindle grille reimagined as a solid body-coloured panel, flanked by ultra-slim LED headlamps with sequential turn indicators. The silhouette is classic sedan — long bonnet, flowing roofline, and a short rear overhang — but the flush door handles, aero-optimised alloy wheels, and a flat underbody hint at its electric underpinnings. The drag coefficient of 0.26 Cd is among the lowest in its class.

At 4,960 mm long, 1,880 mm wide, and 1,450 mm tall with a wheelbase of 2,880 mm, the ES500e is nearly identical in footprint to the outgoing ES 300h hybrid. This means rear seat space is generous — knee room and headroom are both segment-competitive. The boot offers 450 litres of cargo space, plus a 50-litre front trunk (frunk) under the bonnet for charging cables and small items.

Lexus is offering the ES500e in six exterior colours — Sonic White, Sonic Silver, Graphite Black, Iridium, Deep Blue, and a new Copper Crest exclusive to the EV. The interior comes in two-tone Hazel or all-black leather trim with hand-stitched detailing on the dashboard and door panels.

Interior, Features, and Technology

The cabin is where the ES500e makes its strongest case. The centrepiece is a 14-inch touchscreen infotainment display running Lexus's latest multimedia system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Below it sits a clean, button-free centre console with haptic climate controls and a wireless phone charging pad. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a colour heads-up display complete the driver's view.

Rear passengers get dedicated USB-C ports, individual reading lights, a rear sunshade, and a centre armrest with integrated controls for the audio and climate systems. The rear bench is slightly reclined for a lounge-like seating position — Lexus clearly intends this car to be chauffeur-friendly, which matters in the Indian luxury market.

Safety and ADAS

Safety is comprehensive. The ES500e comes equipped with 10 airbags, electronic stability control, ABS with EBD, traction control, hill-start assist, and a tyre pressure monitoring system as standard. The body structure uses high-tensile steel and aluminium reinforcements, and the battery pack is housed in a sealed, impact-resistant casing with its own liquid cooling system.

Lexus has equipped the ES500e with its full Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite of ADAS features. This includes pre-collision braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane departure alert with steering assist, lane tracing assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams. A 360-degree camera system with a bird's-eye view aids parking manoeuvres.

How It Compares to Rivals

The luxury electric sedan segment in India is still small but growing. The ES500e's primary rivals are the Mercedes-Benz EQE 350+ and the BMW i4 eDrive40, both of which are also CBU imports. Here's how the Lexus stacks up on paper against its German competitors.

The Lexus undercuts the Mercedes EQE by over ₹11 lakh while offering more power, quicker acceleration, and standard AWD. Against the BMW i4, it's pricier by about ₹17.5 lakh but gains dual motors and the Lexus luxury experience. The EQE wins on range and charging speed, while the BMW edges ahead on DC fast-charging capability. All three are competent long-distance EVs for Indian highways.

What This Means for Used Car Buyers and Sellers

The arrival of the ES500e has implications beyond the new car showroom. Lexus's entry into the EV space signals the brand's long-term commitment to the Indian market, which should help residual values across the Lexus lineup. Current Lexus ES 300h owners may see a slight dip in resale value as the electric model draws attention, but the hybrid will continue to appeal to buyers who want Lexus luxury without range anxiety.

For used luxury car buyers, this launch expands the options. As early adopters upgrade to the ES500e over the next 2–3 years, well-maintained ES 300h hybrids will enter the pre-owned market at attractive prices. Buyers exploring used cars in Bengaluru and other metro cities — where Lexus has its strongest presence — should watch for these opportunities. The used Toyota Innova Crysta page shows how Toyota-family vehicles hold their value, and Lexus models tend to depreciate more slowly than their German rivals.

The broader trend is worth noting too. Every new luxury EV launch pushes conventional luxury sedans further down the depreciation curve. If you're selling a BMW 5 Series, Mercedes E-Class, or Audi A6, the growing EV roster means more competition in the used market. Pricing your vehicle competitively and highlighting low running costs compared to EVs (no battery degradation concerns, wider service network) will be key selling points.

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