I am posting this in the ES forum sort of with purpose.
Only looking for an opinion from those who've experienced both of these vehicles.
to start with, this car is for my parents who are in the 60s and my dad is the primary driver and he is not very good at it especially in the winter, thus the question
Picking between a 2011 GS 350 AWD and a 2014 ES 350 base (same miles, same price)

thank you

 

I live in Pennsylvania where we get plenty of snow. I have never had an issue with driving in the snow with FWD and good tires. However, maybe you should be convincing your father who is apparently not good at driving on less than clear roads, to hang up the keys on snow days. If it were my choice I'd be buying the '14 ES. I've never driven a 2011 AWD GS and probably few to none on this forum have either. This wouldn't be a mystery for me, I'd go with the ES...

 

Considering they’re not the greatest of drivers, you must also take into account the different methods of input for the media (touch screen in the 3GS vs controller on the 6ES.

 

AWD would be the answer to me if not the greatest drivers.

 

My bride and I are also in our mid sixties and chose an ES350 back in 2015 and enjoy it. The only complaint my wife has is that it is a bit low to the ground and somewhat difficult for her to enter/exit (mostly exit) but otherwise she loves it. When it snows I will use my older 2000 Nissan Pathfinder 4x4 if it's that bad or simply wait for the plows to do their thing.

 

hi
i have never driven either so which is easier the touch screen or the controller and doesthat only apply to media? they don't listen to music

 

do you know if the gs with 17 inch wheels is higher off the ground?
is the ES higher off the ground than the is?

 

Dedicated snow tires will do more for helping him drive in the snow than the choices above. Get the car they really like and put snow tires on for the winter.

 

thank you for your reply
i am familiar with snow tires but that was not the nature of my question

 

AWD > FWD > RWD in the snow (tires being equal).

The ES would be easier for them to get in and out of.

GS runs on premium, vs regular in the ES.

The ES will be more fitting for their age.

 

does anyone know if the es is higher off the ground than the is and if the gs is higher off the ground than both?

 

The ES is higher than both.

 

so is the main difference between the es/gs the fwd vs rwd/awd and the driving dynamics/handling that comes with?

 

what about a ct 200h with snow tires
how do they do?

 

Or an RX. It would be taller and easier for elderly people to enter and exit.