My 2009 Honda Accord EX V6 had truly awesome seats. Very supportive, well bolsetered, great engineering but not fine leather. The 2012 Maxima seats were even better and both were comparable to my 2015 ES and 2015 RX.

 

I head always thought the seats in my accord were fine before my back problems.

As had been said, comfort is subjective to each person.

 

My 09 accord seats were terrible! Once I got back into an ES, my long commute got so much better. Worst go cart ever.

 

The seats in my 2010 Honda Accord EX-L V6 w/Nav were wonderful and never had a problem. Purchased an Acura TL with basically the same seat design. On the other hand my wife could not stand the head rest position and hated them, so it's a matter of individual comfort level. So when the time came for a new car for the wife we traded her Avalon for her new ES-350 Luxury/Nav and both of us like the seating position and support. Further, both of us drove the 2015 & 2016 Avalon Touring and could not tolerate the seats. There is a metal support bar that hits your bottom and very little padding. I thought the problem may have been with us, but after searching the web this issue has been discussed by Car & Driver, Motor Trend etc. and owners.

 

Why don't you try going to an automotive upholsterer and ask if they can take the seat apart and make it softer. I once did that on a Ford Explorer I had that felt like I was sitting on a rock.

Worked out fine.

 

I have driven a GS before, although a while ago. The only thing I'm thinking with my ES350 is that it is a fairly boring car. There is no excitement when driving this car -other than a velvety smooth acceleration from a traffic light. I did buy this vehicle as we are going through a time where we need something reliable and don't need added expensive repairs.

Talking about seats is way too subjective. I prefer the stiffer seats of Honda/Acura. These soft Lexus seats are hard on my lower back -and I didn't think I was that old!

 

I have a similar situation to yours. Last August, I bought a 2015 GS F-Sport AWD in Obsidian. I traded a 2013 ES in. Loved the performance, handling, etc. BUT, did not like the stiff ride, engine noise, poor fuel economy, premium fuel, lack of legroom in the back seat and the color. The black looked great when it was clean but keeping it clean was a never ending chore. It always looked dirty. Also, my wife hated the car from day one for all the reasons mentioned.

Fast forward, to January, I traded the GS for a 2015 ES with the luxury package in Autumn Shimmer. Love it. Maybe the best car I've ever had. Also, my wife is now a happy camper.

Jim

 

>Also, my wife is now a happy camper.

Happy wife, happy life... :-)
=================================
My karma just ran over your dogma
Current Hers: '13 Lexus ES350

 

Depending on location - one good alternative to trying to convince the dealer to give you a long test drive - is to rent the car you are interested in - now with various peer to peer car rental websites - this can be feasible in major cities.

I just rented someone's 2015 RX350 for 24 hours, and next am going to rent a 2016 ES300h for a day.

I'm using www.turo.com

Here is Los Angeles, just about the entire Lexus fleet is represented in the listings . But this may not be an option outside of larger cites.

 

Have you tried adjusting the Lumbar Support?
This might make a difference for you.

On the other hand, I just went into the dealer looking at a GS Fsport and we walked out with an ES.
The reasons:
1- ES seats more comfortable for looking hauls, we travel back and forth from Connecticut to Asheville, NC several times a year.
2- The ES is our mule (our other cars are a Boxster, Miata, and IS-F), the ES had a bit more cargo space than the GS (the GS has a slightly higher because of the rear wheel/all wheel drive system)
3- it doesn't hurt that the ES is also less expensive

 

This is an interesting concept. If I ever need a rental will have to look into it but how is it different than going through an Enterprise or other major rental company?

 

Those companies don't rent these cars...

 

I see thanks again! Lots of great info thank you.

 

Nothing like reviving an old thread, so here goes:

IMHO there is NO comparison, it's like comparing apples to oranges, night to day, black to white, etc.
Went from a '14 GS350 F-sport to a '17 ES350 premium, let me say that both cars have their advantages.
I somewhat regret turning in my GS, but the ES was a decent choice at the time.
The GS was far more sporty, you cannot compare the driving dynamics of a RWD car to a FWD car period. But it does come with trade-offs:
GS runs on premium (91+ octane) gas whereas the ES happily runs all day on regular gas, which is typically .25/gal cheaper than premium.
GS front brake pads typically last apprx 20k, so far I've gone 45k on the ES pads. Didn't keep the GS past 45k, so not sure how long the rotors would last.
GS tires are staggered, so can't be rotated, that said my tires needed to be replaced at 45k, but turned it in to avoid buying new tires.
ES tires at 45k look like they will last 80k, and can be rotated if you have unusual wear. I imagine GS tires are twice as expensive as ES tires to replace.
GS is more expensive to insure, in my case 50% more.
My ES has a pano roof, which adds to the exterior aesthetics, GS only offered w/a moonroof, minor victory for the ES.
GS had real leather seats & trim, ES premium comes with nuluxe seats & trim, altho it could fool a novice that didn't know better.
GS F-Sport driver seat is infinitely more adjustable & supportive that the ES seat, but the ES is not uncomfortable.
All in all the GS is a more enjoyable engaging car to drive, but the ES is a lot easier to maintain & less expensive to operate.
Seeing that the GS will be retired at the end of the month, I can see myself trying to purchase a new GS F-sport (at the right price) for nostalgia sake, unless a desperate Lexus dealer will allow me to 'steal' a GS-F off their lot . . .

 

I honestly think they should just REMOVE GS and Make ES AWD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ES Interior just more elegant and beautiful!