I only recently swapped out my '04 SC430 for a used ES350 ('08 black on tan ultra luxury package) and I love it. It is quiet and comfortable-- the perfect commute isolation chamber that fits my needs perfectly... Well, ALMOST perfectly.

Despite the multitude of adjustments, I find myself forever seeking an elusive perfect seat position which i never seem to quite find. I think that the primary problem is the lack of sufficient seat height travel-- I'm not able to get it to as stark an angle as my backside prefers. Also, if I put the seat far enough back for leg comfort, the arm rests and touch screen are too far forward, if i move forward for the arm rests my legs feel cramped. (a stark seat cushion angle usually solves this for me.)

It's not bad enough to materially reduce my enjoyment of an otherwise exceptionally smooth and comfortable car, but it keeps it from being "just right."

Anyone else have similar issues? I'm about 6'3" tall.

 

Were you expecting sport seats? I'm not sure what you were expecting. The ES seats are cushy and not the least bit sporty. The side bolsters are small and the bottom is fairly flat.

 

Cushy = good. Not complaining about the lack of side bolster support. I a complaining about the short arm rest on the doors, and the lack of seat bottom angle adjustment travel.

 

The seat bottom moves quite a bit. I'm not sure where you would like it to move to? The doors are not arm rests. They are padded door panels/pulls. If you use them for arm rests, they will wear right though.

 

I'm 6'4" and find the settings below comfortable right now.

With these I can reach the touchscreen and the arm rests are at the right height.

 

Looks like most cars are made with an average 5'6" person in mind (including women and Japanese in the average).
I am 6'1" and also hunt for that elusive perfect seat position and seem to never find it. My complaint is that if I lower the seat to rest my elbows, then I have to tilt the steering wheel too much, so that the blinkers indicator and reading on the LCD panel is obscured. Also, if I move close enough to hold the steering wheel comfortably, then my knees are bent too much.
It would be nice to have the instrument cluster tilt with the steering wheel (a la Infiniti) and have just a tad more of telescoping.

 

I thought it was just me. On my 6th Lexus. Last one was GS 400. put 240,000 miles on it. Now drive 2010 ES 350. Seat height SUCKS. Built for a woman. My legs hurt on long trips. Can't afford an LS. May have to go test drive another brand. Lexus thinks I am crazy but I am too good a customer

 

something stinks. I concur.. no matter how I adjust it. i feel its not optimal... let me try again. I'm 5.9. male

 

Same here... 6 foot male and haven't found that perfect comfortable position yet! I've had my 07 for 3 months now... Otherwise an excellent vehicle with an excellent ride.

 

we have 8 way seat controls. . i think may be we have to find an optimal setting. and then add a small back pillow.i want the lumbar region to have more support. let me tinker around and see what I can come up with

 

Yes! I am much shorter (and fatter) and have a similar problem, constantly having to adjust the myriad positioning on the 12-way power seat (the power cushion extender on the driver's seat qualifies as a 12-way adjustable seat). If it weren't for the power cushion extender, I just couldn't make it. That is the one, and very few low points of the ES350; seat comfort, especially for taller drivers (see Consumer's Reports 2011 car issue), and inadequate lateral support. In every other respect, it is still a great automobile; the Mark Levinson system is just out of this world, especially at higher volumes and satellite radio (or CD's, or DVD's). And the ride is just incredible, quiet and smooth!

 

Followed your advice and finally found a comfortable spot very similar to yours. I have the backrest more vertical but it's great now... thanks!