just another way to kill off the model. 
saw new ES, it ain't a GS
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,269
Likes: 296
From: ------
Yeah that bothered me too going from the GS to the LS. I suppose the reason is the GS is a much newer overall design while the LS was just a heavy refresh for 2013, but still how hard would it have been to design a multi-contour seat? They redesigned the seats in the LS anyways for 2013. Another example is the LS460 has the thigh extender for the driver like the GS luxury, but not the passenger in any trim.
You do get the Sport + and adaptive dampers with the air suspension, and you can get the rear seat controls in the UL package, but those cars are really rare and expensive.
You shouldn't go from the midlevel car to the flagship and miss features. The semi-aniline leather on the GS Luxury should be the base leather in the LS and even better leather available, etc.
They solved all these issues with the 5LS at least.
You do get the Sport + and adaptive dampers with the air suspension, and you can get the rear seat controls in the UL package, but those cars are really rare and expensive.
You shouldn't go from the midlevel car to the flagship and miss features. The semi-aniline leather on the GS Luxury should be the base leather in the LS and even better leather available, etc.
They solved all these issues with the 5LS at least.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,871
Likes: 4,114
From: Maryland
I'm not either, very happy I got one of the last LS460Ls instead, I will give them credit though, overall the interior quality and material quality is much better in the 5LS. It feels much more "special" inside. If only they didnt make it so much firmer and tighter inside.
i think they've decided if you want practicality you're going to get an suv so might as well make the LS more sporty and stylish.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,871
Likes: 4,114
From: Maryland
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,541
Likes: 264
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
I'm not either, very happy I got one of the last LS460Ls instead, I will give them credit though, overall the interior quality and material quality is much better in the 5LS. It feels much more "special" inside. If only they didnt make it so much firmer and tighter inside.
I have't sat in the new LS yet. (they didn't have it open at the D.C. show). Are you saying the seats are now more firmly-padded?
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Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,871
Likes: 4,114
From: Maryland
No, the suspension is considerably firmer, and the interior is smaller than the previous LWB LS. The seats in the new LS are excellent, great massage. The seats were the only part of the new LS I missed when I got back into my LS.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,498
Likes: 389
From: ON/NY
Finally saw the new ES350. The Toronto dealer I was at got smacked by 10 new units. All 350 and all were non-F sport. Overall, nice looking. Front end is pretty decent, but it is not my cup of tea. Looks better in person. Interesting to see that the new ES is using Michelin Energy tires. B-rated for temp. Rear windows are not double pane. The front windshield does not say "Acoustic Laminated" like the Avalon or Canadian made RX. A thumbs up IMO
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,419
Likes: 11
From: California
This past weekend, I too went down to the Lexus dealership to take a look at the Lexus ES. I wanted to see it up in person and just touch everything. 
I guess, my summary, is pretty similar to majority of the people here. I did find the this Lexus ES to be better/step up than the outgoing model. But then again - all refresh models or new generation models are better than the models before it so that's no surprise. I do think the interior is nice but at the same time - like others have said - the interior is definitely not more premium than the current GS. The current Lexus GS is definitely still a more upscale car.
This new Lexus ES still feels cheap and has some plastics in some areas that otherwise shouldn't. If this Lexus ES is indeed looking to take up some of the E-Class, 5 Series or A6 market share, it won't. It just won't able to compete. Side note: The upcoming Audi A6 looks super expensive and premium.
This new Lexus ES will do amazing in sales though. It'll definitely appeal to the ES crowd that it already originally sold to and the F-Sport model can help boost sales from IS buyers that want a bigger car.
I guess, my summary, is pretty similar to majority of the people here. I did find the this Lexus ES to be better/step up than the outgoing model. But then again - all refresh models or new generation models are better than the models before it so that's no surprise. I do think the interior is nice but at the same time - like others have said - the interior is definitely not more premium than the current GS. The current Lexus GS is definitely still a more upscale car.
This new Lexus ES still feels cheap and has some plastics in some areas that otherwise shouldn't. If this Lexus ES is indeed looking to take up some of the E-Class, 5 Series or A6 market share, it won't. It just won't able to compete. Side note: The upcoming Audi A6 looks super expensive and premium.
This new Lexus ES will do amazing in sales though. It'll definitely appeal to the ES crowd that it already originally sold to and the F-Sport model can help boost sales from IS buyers that want a bigger car.
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17,336
Likes: 212
From: Miami, Florida
With the ES, I always thought it was for a crowd of people that said I want a Lexus sedan and wanted to get it entry level. I never thought of it as car that I would compare to some other model line of some other brand. I do agree as I have seen over the years there are splotches of plastic where wood or leather should be. Sometimes I often thought of it as a luxury Camry in some years, sorry.
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,705
Likes: 6
From: Florida
This past weekend, I too went down to the Lexus dealership to take a look at the Lexus ES. I wanted to see it up in person and just touch everything.
I guess, my summary, is pretty similar to majority of the people here. I did find the this Lexus ES to be better/step up than the outgoing model. But then again - all refresh models or new generation models are better than the models before it so that's no surprise. I do think the interior is nice but at the same time - like others have said - the interior is definitely not more premium than the current GS. The current Lexus GS is definitely still a more upscale car.
This new Lexus ES still feels cheap and has some plastics in some areas that otherwise shouldn't. If this Lexus ES is indeed looking to take up some of the E-Class, 5 Series or A6 market share, it won't. It just won't able to compete. Side note: The upcoming Audi A6 looks super expensive and premium.
This new Lexus ES will do amazing in sales though. It'll definitely appeal to the ES crowd that it already originally sold to and the F-Sport model can help boost sales from IS buyers that want a bigger car.
I guess, my summary, is pretty similar to majority of the people here. I did find the this Lexus ES to be better/step up than the outgoing model. But then again - all refresh models or new generation models are better than the models before it so that's no surprise. I do think the interior is nice but at the same time - like others have said - the interior is definitely not more premium than the current GS. The current Lexus GS is definitely still a more upscale car.
This new Lexus ES still feels cheap and has some plastics in some areas that otherwise shouldn't. If this Lexus ES is indeed looking to take up some of the E-Class, 5 Series or A6 market share, it won't. It just won't able to compete. Side note: The upcoming Audi A6 looks super expensive and premium.
This new Lexus ES will do amazing in sales though. It'll definitely appeal to the ES crowd that it already originally sold to and the F-Sport model can help boost sales from IS buyers that want a bigger car.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,581
Likes: 283
From: Illinois
Interior wise ES won't be able to touch base A6 in materials and technology. The only solution I can think of that Lexus could have implemented for ES to try to fight the A6 is to design the interior for some Ultra Luxury package that would kick the price up $20K as intended and then dumb down the interior for the rest of the offering by taking away the technology and quality materials. New ES interior is the biggest interior letdown since previous gen RX. Current ES has more dynamic interior when it comes to layout, upcoming UX has more interesting layout as well although upcoming ES looks good in luxury package with purplish brown dash and yellow wood.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,419
Likes: 11
From: California
Interior wise ES won't be able to touch base A6 in materials and technology. The only solution I can think of that Lexus could have implemented for ES to try to fight the A6 is to design the interior for some Ultra Luxury package that would kick the price up $20K as intended and then dumb down the interior for the rest of the offering by taking away the technology and quality materials. New ES interior is the biggest interior letdown since previous gen RX. Current ES has more dynamic interior when it comes to layout, upcoming UX has more interesting layout as well although upcoming ES looks good in luxury package with purplish brown dash and yellow wood.
Having the Lexus ES have a Ultra Luxury Package that kicks it up 20K but still undercuts the E, 5 and A6 competition would definitely help it fight those competitions. This would allow Lexus to add crazy features but still have a model for the regular joes that want the Lexus ES.
Do I think Lexus will do it though? Sadly no. Lexus probably will keep this Lexus ES the run of the mill for this generation. Especially if sales are good, they might even for-go the AWD dream.