flipside909

Actually the smaller displacement cars are needed in Asian and European countries as they're taxed according to the displacement of the engine. The larger the displacement, the higher the cost. ES 350 is not an option for many Asian and European countries which is why they only have ES 250 and ES 300h as options.

As for the rear seat controller, that's usually not a pre-wired item as each model and region's body wiring is configured differently.


That's really odd. Automatic leveling headlamps usually have been standard item for Lexus models with HID, especially projector type. Perhaps the auto-leveling feature is available for models with AHB (automatic highbeam) and/or UL models.

Usually 2nd model year cycles don't see any changes. Usually a minor update if any. Most of the significant changes happen 3rd year and lately 4th-5th year (2nd update).


Yeah we always get jipped.

SW17LS

I said the same thing, but all the evidence seems to point to them not having the auto leveling.

flipside909

The best way to find out is to turn on the headlamps before starting the car and watching the beam to see if it does the intial up/down check.

Arty101

Been there, done that. Firing up the HIDs do not go into the "bounce" or up and down check mode. So I guess the current ES don't have auto leveling.

bigblack06

iTrader: (20)

Confirmed by my service guy, they took the auto leveling feature out of the new ES.

Arty101

Another take away from the US market. But then again, it's only a $500 option so you get what you pay for.

flipside909

So of all these options available outside of the US...which option would you rather have the most. Rear seat HVAC/Radio controls or power folding mirrors?

unowned

everything, even the new honda accord has more toys than the ES. Lexus needs to stay competitive to keep it's "Apple" branding or it won't be long till it's dethroned.

flipside909

It may have more "toys" but a Honda dealer can never replicate the Lexus ownership/dealership experience. For example:

"My car needs service for several hours, do I need to rent a car?"
" What happens after the 3yr/36k basic and powertrain warranty expires?"

Those are questions a Honda owner would ask. With Lexus...you're covered.

LexRuger

My previous car had rear A/C controls and was never used because anyone rarely sits back there so I'd choose the mirrors.

wasjr

Since these vehicles will just be "tweaked" over the next few years, these options will probably be added over time to entice you to trade for a newer model.

danolo

power folding mirrors! Clipped my Acura TL's once and paid $500 to replace it

unowned

As nice as that "perk" for buying a Lexus is, it's still more like 5th or 6th in rank of stuff I care about when buying a vehicle because of how often I would actually need to utilize those services when compared to actually driving the car on a daily basis(the "living with it"). Definitely to the younger buyers "toys" get a higher weight when factoring overall value in a vehicle. (we just purchased a 2013 ES350, luxury, HID, blind spot in feb ).

SW17LS

if you want toys, a Lexus has never been the car to look at. As long as Lexus has been around, their vehicles have been arguably lighter on the bells and whistles than their competitors.

Personally I think a lot of it in the US is trying to maintain the rankings in terms of reliability and such, the more tech toys the more possibility for problems which hurts JD Power rankings.

I'm not sure that I would agree that Lexus is anything like Apple...

mrBillFL

folding mirrors would be nice.

rear seats controls are for those with drivers..... -how would you lock out the controls / make them spill proof ( for kids)...