I tried to search, but can't find this info, I apologize if a repost.

Where are the ambient lights specifically in Ultra Lux ES? I saw where along door sill, and a small portion over glove box. Are they also in the back seat door area? Under seats? Are they visible much at all while in motion? Thanks!

 

The line of light goes along both front and rear doors and the dash except for a small area on the drivers left. I believe it also means the floor lighting in the front. All are very dim while driving.

You can also check this video.

 

Thanks! That's nice they line both the front and back doors, as well as dash area. I'm surprised there's not a way to customize it or adjust the brightness up if it's so dim, not that you'd want it to 'brignt' but certainly should be noticeable to make a glow in the cabin for passengers, and look upscale.

The fact you have two UL ES350s is a good testament to the car. Other items you'd watch for if exploring to buy one? I see you Michelin tires, which made my list, as maybe going to 17".

 

Actually one is a 300h and the other is a 350. They both have Michelin tires, the 300h has 17" and the 350 has 18" tires. To be honest they both ride nice and are quiet. I think the biggest tire complaint owners have are with the Bridgestone tires. You also have to watch out as many are delivered with the tires inflated to 40 psi which will produce a harsh ride. I keep mine at the factory recommended 33 psi. I have had many Lexus vehicles over the years from the RX, SC, LS, GS and now the ES. They have all been great vehicles. In my opinion the UL ES gives a lot of bang for the luxury buck.

 

Great information, thanks for sharing! I like the Lexus line and agree with you, ES seems a big bang for the buck. The LS would win me over, but just can't justify the cost difference, close to double, and mostly like it for interior finish and isolation, I wish I lived somewhere I could enjoy the thrill of the V8 and it's size, but that would be wasted on my drive. The GS had nice finishes inside, but it was much louder and less isolated...which I get is the point of that car. The RX I only tested once in 2013, and should probably give it another shot. The tradeoff for utility wasn't worth what seemed noticeably louder and more 'bobbly' and exaggerated road imperfections more. Maybe tires were over inflated as you pointed out. For some reason, Lexus seems to have most noise from different pavement types depending on tire than any other car I've driven...may be the concrete roads here with asphalt patches. I'd give up a little in ride/quiet/isolation for the utility, but that's me. How would you compare your RX to your two ES?

 

The ES and RX both ride well but the ES seems to have much less noise infiltration and a bit better ride. My RX was a 2005, so they may have added more noise insulation. Also the gas mileage in the RX was only 18 around town, the ES 350 gets about 22 mpg around town, that adds up. The ES300h gets 37 mpg around town. I traded the RX in on a HS back in 2010, the HS had good fuel economy, 35 mpg around town, but I get better in my 2013 ES300h and it is larger and more powerful. I missed the SUV for a bit but was over that quickly.

 

To a certain degree, you could adjust the brightness. It uses the same display dimmer switches beside the steering. At 75% brightness setting or higher, the ambient lights along the doors and passenger side dash becomes noticeable even when driving on bright city roads at night.