I have a 2018 ES350. It has the joystick controller on the center console. Not great, but very usable. I brought my car in for the fuel pump recall today and was given an NX for a loaner. I was looking forward to trying out Android Auto. Instead of a thrill, I got completely frustrated with the god-awful touchpad controller.
That thing is BAD. Tell me that it's better in the new ES? It's bad enough that I will not lease a car with it when my current ES lease is over. Granted I was playing with it more than usual since I had to pair my phone and was messing with Android Auto. But it was very disappointing.

 

Works perfectly for me and light years ahead of the mouse in my wife's RX.

 

I can’t perceive much difference between our NX and ES’s trackpads. That said, I don’t have a particular preference. My last two Lexus vehicles had the joystick and they were fine. From my perspective, it’s just a matter of what you get used to. A trackpad does allow some tricks that you just can’t do with a joystick, like pinch and zoom. I think just about any form of controller that is different from the one you are used to is going to take a period of adjustment. I have had cars with touch screens and I hated that they were always covered with fingerprints. I just don’t think there is any perfect controller that is going to satisfy every potential buyer.

 

True. That being said, I also have a BMW and the controller in that car is excellent. Its got a wheel, that also moves like a joystick, and has a touchpad on top of the wheel. Plus buttons around it.....and its a touchscreen. Also, plenty of buttons to access things on the dash. So you can really figure out what works best for you and go for it. Multiple ways to access things. I may have been a little overdramatic about the controller in the NX. Maybe its the lack of other direct access buttons on the Nx dashboard compared to the ES, but my bet is Lexus is going to get rid of it soon.

 

For me, the trackpad is great. Quick, easy and responsive.

 

Interesting observations. The ES does have an additional button (versus our 2016 NX) but I don't ever use it so I'm afraid I cannot offer my observations, plus the touchpad is larger on the ES which is a slight improvement over our 2016 NX. However, I imagine the touchpad in the 2020 NX is the same as the one in the 2020 ES. There is such a wide variation between how much interaction we all have with our infotainment systems and frankly, just how much we drive our cars - as well as what we all need from the system. As I recently retired, I don't drive on a daily basis, and we have been out of town for about six weeks since we bought the car 11 months ago, so my experience with the ES system is definitely more limited. During the winter months we tend to favor the NX due to snow, and with Covid 19 we just haven't been driving much. Unfortunately, your only way to properly assess just how well this meets your needs may be exactly what you started with the loaner - spend some quality time with the controller if you wish to seriously consider this car.

 

I remember there was a setting to adjust the drag on the touchpad surface.

 

It wasn't a deal breaker for me on my 2020 ES350 UL and I've got used to it but it wouldn't be my first choice. You will never find a car that ticks all of the boxes. All of the German cars are deal breakers for me since my priorities were reliability and costs for repairs and service.

 

True, it can be tricky and a little frustrating but the functions I use most often - climate control and radio- can be access with buttons on the dash or wheel.

 

As stated, once you go into the Settings for its movement, Haptic Feedback and speed - its much like a MacBook Pro - it becomes second nature and a breeze. Just Leased a 2020 ES Fsport last night and it has the Trackpad. However, my wife test drove a GS which surprisingly had the older "Joystick" which was in her 2017 RX350 too. Speaking of round ***** - I looked inside a 2020 IS in the showroom and found it has one of those instead. Regardless which one you end up with, I honestly believe the Settings make any of them more manageable.



Last nights choice after returning 2017 RX350.

 

These touchpads really suck. Young and old buyers can't stand them. If the car was stationary and you were using this at your desk in your office, that is one thing. But try using this at 70 mph, and its a nightmare. One who doesn't have good dexterity will have problems using this. The touchscreen in the RX is far easier to operate, but you have to lean and reach over to the screen to touch the button(s). Many people are sick of this touchpad, and are leaving the brand, because Lexus hasn't changed this technology to touchscreen fast enough.. BMW created the iDrive in 2001 in the 7 series, and BMW now has a touchscreen in all models and it is close to the driver, and YES it is simple to use.

I plan to keep my 2017 ES because of the joystick and it is far easier to use than that touchpad in the new ES. If I am forced to own a Lexus with the touchpad, I will leave the brand.

 

Ive had my ES 18 months now and use the trackpad without taking my eyes off the road - 70mph and higher. It actually DOESN'T suck😁 The joystick actually sucks and I know that from driving my wife's RX.

 

I have no issue with it. I like it way more than that awful joystick that just slides all over the place. So unprecise. There is no resistance.

​​​​​ In my opinion the touch pad is the best non touchscreen infotainment control system I've used on any car. Especially compared to German cars that often have an awful ****/dial system. I do miss having a touchscreen but it's a fair trade off for having the screen in better view while driving which takes it out of easy reach to use as a touch screen.