So my brother went out looking for a new care, really wanted a Lexus, but was totally put off by the 20th century electronics. NO touch screen i.e., have to use a stick controller!
So he went and bought an Audi A8 - there's $100k Lexus lost from not being in touch. I've seen lots of similar comments. Guess they'll never learn.

 

To be fair to Lexus, Mercedes/Audi/BMW didn't have touchscreens until their latest generation of infotainment. And newer Lexus models like the refresh RX/IS/LS do have touchscreens.

 

He was looking at the LS500

 

The 2021 LS500 has a touchscreen, but I don't know if they've made it to the dealers yet or not. 2020s have the touchpad (not a stick).

 

The refresh LS500 will have a touchscreen.

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/2...screen-update/

 

frankly the no touch screen argument while valid its not enough to judge whole car with.You get used to the stick in a day....A8 is a great car, v8 is amazing compared to Lexus which does not offer maybe that's a deciding factor. have not owned the LS500 but have owned 460/430 and 400 and I can tell you they are one of the best cars on the road. I would not mind getting a LS500 and the only reason i didn't buy one is as mentioned is the lack of v8 option.

 

Yeah sounds like he didn't fully do his research. 2021 has it. Oh well

 

idk get it, 20th century electronics in the LS? Like i get it if were talking about the GX or LX....

 

the reason some of us buy Lexus and Toyota is because they ARE behind all the new technology that breaks and leaves the user stranded in limp mode or at the dealer getting fixed. Because of where I live reliability and driveability are actually safety issues. I need my cars to work all the time, regardless of weather and distances, it can be life and death. Not everyone is in the same boat. The A8 is a great car to drive, especially in Germany where you can open it up on the autobahn and really experience what its made for. Most certainly your brother will enjoy it. FWIW in cold winters touch screens don't last long, and when you can't change the heat to defrost its a problem

 

You're preaching to the choir lol

I'm shopping flagships too, as others have said the 2021 refresh LS500 will have a touchscreen but they are not at dealers yet. The A8 is great, I actually don't care for their interior layout though. I'm likely going to wind up with a BMW 750i and you have a touchscreen or the idrive controller.

The A8 might be the best driving car in the segment.

 

It is kind of funny, though. You are "behind the times" if you don't bring back an old technology that you ditched years ago. I think we're going full circle on this one!

 

You are absolutely right that driver technology is behind the competition but trackpad is not one of them. Lexus utilization of the trackpad is questionable, it does not have adaptive sensitivity when car is stationed or in motion, some common sense features are stuck deep inside menu screens instead of having their own physical button etc. but more importantly trackpad gives you a comfort of the deep in dash display which doesn't require your eyes to change the depth of field. Audi much like Range Rover with their dual screens are really bad for drivers attention and eyes on the road.

 

BMW's Personal Assistant voice control can perform a lot of functions too.

 

The irony is that the ancient GX has a touchscreen.

 

Thats the plan...wait long enough and things come full circle...