IS-SV

I'm driving a ES350 loaner and it has this red-colored wood surface. Is the wood real and if so what type of wood is this reddish stuff?

LexBob2

It's real wood. Some kind of maple. Don't know why it's so red though. All the ES's I've seen are like that.

IS-SV

Thanks for the info. I'm not sure I like the color, but it's better than plastic.

Dave Mac

When I first drove the new ES30 in 2006 I told the salesman that I liked the car and would one day buy one but would wait until the "red" wood color was changed. I didn't last that long but do hope that the 2010 model has better looking wood trim - and yes, I do believe it is real wood. And I'm happy to report the wood looks less red as I enjoy the car.

Dave Mac

flowrider

iTrader: (9)

Lexus web site describes the wood interior as:

"The ES interior is designed with highly polished medium brown walnut wood-trim accents on the doors and center console."

Lou

LexBob2

Thanks. I guess it makes sense that walnut would be more red than maple.

kalvano

All the wood used in Lexus vehicles is real wood. No laminates.

Also, totally useless fact...Lexus is the only automaker who uses Yamaha to treat their wood. That's why it has such a high gloss. Same people that do the pianos do the wood for Lexus vehicles.

RXSF

the ES wood looks fake by hte front cup holders, next to the shifter. i dont even see wood grain

AlexusAnja

It's all wood baby.... too many trees in the world, so let's cut them down and put them into our cars !!!

LexPaul

No fake wood is used its all real. Jut check out their site or ask a Lexus salesman. It's a well known fact that real wood is used, throughout the car. Color is not red, but polished brown walnut wood as be described above, very attractive and upscale IMO.

superchan7

I do like the particular wood grain used on the ES, but I wish more choices were offered so that my car doesn't look like everybody else's car.

The previous generation used a similar color and that's one of the things about the ES that caught my eye as I got my ES300 rental in 2005.

IS-SV

Short answer, real wood. Glad to hear Lexus only uses the real stuff!

AlexusAnja

And this is why Acura is still #3 in most books of the "big 3" Japanese luxo brands. Acura I believe is faux wood on all their vehicles except the RL. Take it for what it's worth, but if Honda is trying to be environmentally friendly by not using real wood, then don't even make trim that look like wood, go carbon fiber or brush aluminum.

It's like vegetarians that eat tofu burgers... why? If you want a burger, eat a burger, otherwise, just eat tofu. Vegetarian fish... what is that????

sirCharles

ES 350 loaner is so nice, wood is fine

IS-SV

The use of plastic wood is not really an enviro-friendly approach (it's made from petroleum). The use of real wood (being a renewable resource) grown in reforested areas can be considered more green.

I agree real wood or CF or metal-look is cool, fake wood is crap.