I was driving a loaner NX while my ES350 was getting a facelift and accessories. I was impressed with the Navigation in the NX. It actually showed in the small screen on the right side of the navigation the upcoming exits, exit number and POI at the exit
I don't think we have this in ES350 2016. I have also noticed my house does not show in myu ES2016 but NX had it. Is there a way to pursue dealer to give at least one free map update? My vehicle is only a week old.

 

The Es also had all the stuff you mentioned. And what do you mean by house? Does it show a small little house?

 

When I took delivery of my new Lexus, I checked the date of installation on the navigation maps. I found that the maps were over a year old. I asked the SM if I could get an updated version when it was available. He agreed and put it into my service record. I subsequently did get a free updated database. This was about two years ago. I would not pay Lexus for a map update. For long drives I use a $200.00 Garmin portable unit which is updated every 3 months (for free). Like it better than the Lexus system because it has everything including traffic issues.

 

The 2015 and up navs are much better regarding traffic than in the 2013 - 2014 Lexus vehicles, IMHO. The newer navs use HD radio for traffic, for free, and will warn of slow traffic on your route and ask if you want to be re-routed. They also show the traffic very much like google maps does on many more streets than the older XM Traffic systems.

 

How do you check when the map was installed/updated?

 

You can see the list of exits on the map by changing the Map Mode. Click on Options when you're on the map. You won't see the list until you get on the freeway.

You can also set your Home, I believe you'll need to set it through preset destinations under Options again.

 

within the map, click the options button then click map data.

 

Does the 2015 use HD radio? I assume both the '13 and '14 use XM traffic data subscription?

 

2015's use HD

 

Yes, the 2015 used HD radio for the traffic information. Yes, both the '13 and '14 use XM traffic data subscription.

 

as others have said, you have this in your ES too, all Lexus nav is the same, this feature has been available since at least 2013.

 

I'm Looking through the various threads on Nav - Given the new Nav system in 2015 and up is better and HD based, how is the traffic based navigation compared to phone based apps like Waze?

In my 2005 I became quite comfortable using Waze on my phone. When buying my 2016, I didn't particularly care that much about getting Nav - it just happened to come with the well equipped cars I was looking at. Just drove today in my 2016 and used waze via bluetooth which worked sort of ok - the waze guidance comes through as though its a phone call coming through, so the first word or two get cut off, but overall worked despite being a bit clumsy.. For navigation, accurate and responsive traffic based guidance is the most important thing to me - would the Lexus Nav be as good? If the Lexus nav is just as good, it would be smoother to use it than the phone. ....

 

The built in traffic is pretty terrible. Nowhere near as accurate as Waze.

 

thanks.
I like the idea that one person posted - Leave your Nav screen set to show the map as you drive (without nav guidance set) , so you can see upcoming streets etc.
Then have Waze running on your phone and listen to the audio directions of Waze

Also - if I put my phone in the further away cup holder, the Waze map is reasonably viewable to me, but of course a bit small.
This is my plan!

 

Like mentioned earlier, in-car HD radio traffic data for the navigation isn't very accurate. I've had times where it showed green when it really should've been red because it was completely stopped. Accidents/hazards also don't appear very often.

If you stream music through Bluetooth into your car, you can also use Waze and the info will lower the volume and say the alert. It doesn't go through as a phone call anymore.