SW17LS

They blow the new Lexus system completely, and utterly away. Its not even a contest.

The "new" system in the IS, CT & GX is not really all that new, its just a further refreshed version of the same old system. I actually like the "look" of the system in my GS better than the new system in the IS, CT & GX.

Back to the LS and in reference to it being a car you just have to experience driving. I agree, but I will say that somewhere between the LS430 and the LS460 they lost some of that "LS magic" somehow. I can't put my finger on it, but driving an LS400 or LS430 the car has this incredible solidity and refinement to the way it rides that somehow is not quite the same in the LS460. The 460 feels more like a really nice car that rides really well, while the LS400 and LS430 felt really special.

I don't know, but the LS460 doesn't have that same magic for me. Still a great, great car but not quite the same. If you read the LS forums a lot of people who went from the 430 to the 460 agree.

JDR76

In what ways, if you don't mind me asking?

SW17LS

The Jeep's uConnect system is what I have the most experience with. Its a matter of functionality, the uConnect has so many more functions, so many more adaptions to the nav system's functionality, the audio options are better integrated, for instance great graphics for XM station logos, the screen quality is better, the icons for all the functions are better looking, higher quality Apple-like, phone integration is better, the icons for the different functions are dynamic so the icon for the phone shows a picture of an iPhone, and my signal strength, whether its 3G or 4G, the nav icon doubles as a compass. Apps are better integrated, you can customize the displays much more, move around where things are displayed. You can dive into traffic, look at alternate routes and see average speeds on certain roadways.

BMW's system has google maps, google street view, same functionality with traffic.

Both systems also just look a lot better with better screens.

JDR76

Thanks for the response. Sounds like there's some great work that went into the system!

mmarshall

I'm not exactly sure which specific component you are talking about, but, from my experience, NOTHING blows the LS460 Mark Levinson stereo away. That unit is simply insane.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

The benefit of the newer system is the predictive traffic, 3D maps, 'One-shot address entry', lifetime traffic/weather, displays speed limit of road, freeway turns have proper arrows.

That said it's slow, lags, will reset/freeze from time to time. It's really disappointing and I wish Lexus would address this. It needs refinement.

He's talking about the Navigation system.

And btw the 4GS ML 835 watt system is nothing short of spectacular.

SW17LS

I'm not talking about audio systems, I'm talking about the infotainment system, the screen interface, menu system, nav system, etc.

Lexus can do even better, they just have to up their game in this department.

JDR76

100% agree. The new systems basically addresses every complaint I have about the old system, but adds new ones, like slow responses, crashes, and functions that randomly quit working. It's my one and only complaint with my IS.

pbm317

I think you're confusing the terms objective and subjective.

Slvr surfr

iTrader: (1)

To be honest, can you really get any better than the LS430 in terms of interior build quality and materials? Is there a car today outside of RR and Bentley that can match the 430 in that area? Maybe the new S-class but look how long it took to get here. Lexus itself is even hard pressed to match the craftsmanship of the LS430. I'm not just saying that because i own on but really. Most high end cars of today matches the 430 at best imo. Of course my words are open to debate.

Toys4RJill

Sorry but the LS460 for 13-14 beats the previous gen LS430 in every way. Materials, build, HP the list goes on. Design as well.

mmarshall

Not much debate from my point of view. Most of what you said is correct. The LS430 does, in some ways, represent the zenith of both Lexus interior materials and ride-comfort.

spwolf

This is simply not true IMHO... BMW and MB interiors need high end options that are not available in every market. Regular 3 series has worse interior than IS, by far. Regular 3 series that has mid-spec interior has quality that is more comparable to midsize non luxury vehicles from Europe. C class has a nice interior and exterior, but to get there you do have to spend a lot more money. If you spend same amount of money, you get much worse vehicle with halogen front lights.

That goes for 5 series too as well as A6 (E class is far behind), you need to spend a lot more money to get great similar but still worse interior than GS.

Is leather dash even available on 535i in USA? I checked website and couldnt spec it, yet similar vehicle to GS350 with Luxury costs almost $15k more.

As to Genesis being better interior than ES, then it is also surely a lot better than 3 series and A4? Similar pricing to all of them. So hows that "bad" for Lexus, but then BMW and Audi and MB are great?

To go into most recent models, NX blows X1, X3, Q3, Q5 out of the water interior wise. RC fixes few faults of IS and has great interior.

So contrary to you, I felt like there was a never better time for Lexus... lots of new models, great cars that are best handling in the class, new engines coming as well.

This to me is very different than 2009 for instance when brand was pretty booring.

This is just my opinion of course :-). I usually complain a lot about poor interiors in mid-spec European vehicles, as in Europe, most of them are mid-spec and very few are loaded through the roof. So my buddy got 5 series with half-fake-leather and half textile seats that would not look premium in Yaris, let alone in BMW. And they were an upgrade too, base seats are worse... so when you enter an Lexus, it is like different world.

SW17LS

Have you ever driven either car? Be honest. My guess is no because two of us have asked you that and you've ignored it both times.The LS460 is absolutely not built better than an LS430. I don't think it's built worse, but it's not better and like I said there's something about the 400 and 430 that's just not there in the 460. I wouldn't buy a 430 now over a 460, it's too old but the difference is there.

As for the LS430, anything can be improved upon. There are better trims, more unique wood options with exposed pores and such, better leathers out there, thicker better carpeting, trim and detailing that can be improved. Lots of ways to improve even an incredible car.

That level of quality isn't unusual anymore.

I'm not saying the BMW and Audi are treat. I'm saying this generation ES has a lower quality interior than the previous ES. That ES had an interior lower quality than the one before it. I owned both of those generations, and when the 2013 came out it wasn't a car I had interest in anymore because of interior quality issues. That's not how it should be, and not how it is with other makes. I want to see each new generation improve upon the previous one in this area.

rawr2is250

That would irritate the crap out of me. huge no-no to subpar quality