New Lexus range outlined for Australia

Lexus has outlined details on its future line-up for 2021 and beyond.

The biggest news is that the brand's ever-popular medium sedan – the Lexus IS – has been discontinued in Australia. Long been a staple of the Australian premium segment, just under 50,000 examples have been sold since the name plate's introduction in 1999.

Also leaving is Lexuses performance two-door coupe the RC, and its hybrid CT hatchback. This means the brand's 'F' performance hero is also dead, as is the most-affordable vehicle it offers in our market.

The reason behind the deletion of certain product lines stems from Australia's unique decision to adopt the crash performance of a vehicle in a 'Pole Side Impact' situation earlier than other markets.

The brand was presented with two situations: upgrade structural elements of the vehicles to suit the new ruling, or simply discontinue them.

Whilst Lexus Australia has had five years to decide, and "had a lot of discussions with our parent company to assess the alternatives" according to official statements, it ultimately decided to revoke the three models lines from our market.

So where does that leave the Lexus line-up for the rest of 2021 and on to 2022?

The new entry point for the Lexus range is the UX small, SUV starting from $44,445 before on-roads. Compared to the outgoing cheapest CT hatchback, it's around $3400 more expensive.

The brand's first fully-electric car will be the Lexus UX300e, and is set to arrive in November 2021.

Don't forget to read our reviews if you're interested in the brand's smallest, and now cheapest, offering.

Next up is the Lexus NX, which starts from $57,500 before on-roads.

It's the brand's most-popular car in 2021 and also finds itself on the top-five best-sellers list of the prestige medium SUV segment.

It comes in 14 different versions, including hybrid, all-wheel drive and, in limited numbers, 'Crafted' special editions.

Positioned to appeal to growing families, the next SUV in the range is the Lexus RX.

Like the rest of the Lexus range, it comes in a hybrid. Unlike the rest however, the RX is available with a choice of five or seven seats.

If you're wondering where the larger Lexus LX has gone, it's currently on hiatus. Expect it to return once the new Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series has arrived.

If you're interested in an SUV alternative from Lexus, you now have to start with the ES.

It's worth mentioning that whilst the Lexus IS is rear-wheel drive, the ES is front-wheel drive. To some, this poses no issue, but to a select cohort adamant on abandoning SUVs for something sporty, it may be a deciding factor.

After all, the Lexus website does have the IS listed as a "sports sedan" and the ES just a "sedan".

Despite its traditional look, it remains an accomplished vehicle. Price is on its side too, with the entry-level hybrid starting from $62,525 plus on-road costs, and a new non-hybrid model joining the range soon.

In 1989, Lexus burst onto the global market alongside Nissan's Infiniti and Honda's Acura, ready to take on the big European prestige brands of the time.

Lexus launched back then with its LS large sedan, a tradition which it still continues today. With prices starting from the $200,000 mark before on-roads, they're reserved for brand's most elite clientele.

The only performance options left in the Lexus range are its stunning LC coupe and convertibles.

Despite featuring the same, thunderous 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V8 engine as the brand's venerable F performance models, the LC500 sits more as a GT car.

It's more comfortable and supple, lending itself to equally to fast bends and long stretches of highway. Thankfully, Lexus engineers did not muffle the fruity powerplant for this application, and if anything, have made its sonorous bark louder in the LC.

It's the brand's only sports car option, and one that starts from $194,553 before on-roads, nearly $58,000 more than the outgoing Lexus RC F with which it shares its engine.

The first new Lexus to arrive will be the updated ES in August, followed by the first fully-electric Lexus due in November 2021, the Lexus UX300e.

The brand also plans to launch an all-new, second-generation Lexus NX medium SUV around the same time. It could also be the first time we see the brand offer a plug-in hybrid option alongside its more traditional hybrid powertrains.

Lastly, a dedicated, fully-electric vehicle – believed to take the form of a medium SUV – is set to arrive globally by 2022.

Both the Lexus NX plug-in hybrid and dedicated fully-electric medium SUV remain unconfirmed for Australia.