Are you sure you do not have this option in Carista?

Unlock trunk when doors are unlocked
*ON* / OFF

I have it on my '14 ES300h.

 

I'm going to check it on my 2013 with the Carista tool. I'll report back...

Update: I could not change trunk opening on my 2013 to open w/o key present thru Carista.

 

Do you mean you did not see this option or that it did not change the behaviour?

 

This is all very interesting. If you want it to open while unlocked and without the key in range, I would consult with your dealer on your next service visit, as the owner's manual very clearly states that it should work.

 

All years?

 

I found it in the manuals for 14, 15, and 16. Haven't checked 13 yet.

EDIT: Don't see it in the '13 manual, so I assume Lexus added it in '14.

 

I tried it thru the Carista app on my 2013 and the choice is not available by the dealer or owner. IOW it can't be enabled on a 2013 Lexus ES 350. Key must be present whether car is locked OR unlocked to open the trunk. This feature must have been changed for 2014.

 

I had a 2013 GS350 which also had the annoying problem of needing the key to be present to open the trunk (even when unlocked), and I tried to have the dealer change the setting but they told me it wasn't possible and they've heard so many complaints about it. Also, if the dealer can't change it, then an app definitely can't do it either. Lexus changed it for 2014+ model years; now my 2015 doesn't have this problem. To those with the 2013, you're unfortunately stuck with the problem.

 

^^^ Indeed, it's pretty crazy. It doesn't make any sense to me, but at least they remedied it for '14 and on. I'm thankful that both my '14 IS and my '13 RX don't have that issue.

 

Not really that big of a deal for me. It actually adds a layer of security if my cars unlocked in my driveway.