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The North American ES's have rear armrests that are... boring. They get the job done but it feels like it was added as an afterthought.
Other markets have a different style rear armrest that I think fits better with the rest of the interior. What are the chances these armrests would fit a North American ES? Where can I find the part number and possibly order one from?
If you could get hold of one, I don't know why it wouldn't fit. The seat dimensions and pass through opening are probably the same as domestically made US models. The LS type fancy ones with the buttons are another story, but the version with the better (IMO as well) cup holder should be easy. I can only imagine the price from Lexus, however.
The reason why overseas markets get these "awesome" arm rests is because they're twice the price of what we pay in the States. But yes I would love that arm rest and control the audio and HVAC system.
The reason why overseas markets get these "awesome" arm rests is because they're twice the price of what we pay in the States. But yes I would love that arm rest and control the audio and HVAC system.
I think the actual reason is the market segment and positioning. In many other markets the ES is a more executive class sedan, and the rear seat controls, like in the LS, allow the car to be chauffeur driven. That doesn’t happen here.
The problem with the armrest with controls is that many of the controls won't work. Heated rear seats with temp display, reclining rear seats, all gone. Maybe you could connect the rear and side sunshades. It would be frustratingly nonfunctional.
For our friends outside of north america, though, I'd love to know if the cupholders that stow away in that lever thing are any good. The rear cupholders in the ES are pretty good, but rather pedestrian.
The problem with the armrest with controls is that many of the controls won't work. Heated rear seats with temp display, reclining rear seats, all gone. Maybe you could connect the rear and side sunshades. It would be frustratingly nonfunctional.
For our friends outside of north america, though, I'd love to know if the cupholders that stow away in that lever thing are any good. The rear cupholders in the ES are pretty good, but rather pedestrian.
Hi. If you observe the pictures and compare the rear seats with an Ultra Luxury without the rear "amenities" you will see that the shape of the seats and headrest are different so it has probably another totally different seat model and only the radio controls + rear sunshade would eventually work.
Regarding the "premium" rear cupholders, YES, they are quite functional.
The problem with the armrest with controls is that many of the controls won't work. Heated rear seats with temp display, reclining rear seats, all gone. Maybe you could connect the rear and side sunshades. It would be frustratingly nonfunctional.
For our friends outside of north america, though, I'd love to know if the cupholders that stow away in that lever thing are any good. The rear cupholders in the ES are pretty good, but rather pedestrian.
The North American ES's have rear armrests that are... boring. They get the job done but it feels like it was added as an afterthought.
Other markets have a different style rear armrest that I think fits better with the rest of the interior. What are the chances these armrests would fit a North American ES? Where can I find the part number and possibly order one from?
I would love to have that but priced and available especially for my light cream color..
sec pic
The real reason we don't have it here in the US is nobody uses this ever so they make it as cheap as possible, this apply to all brands not just Lexus, unless it is the next level of Sedan, LS, 7-series, A8...
Everyone is right, in other markets, such as Middle East Asia, the ES's back seats have heated and cooled features, auto sunshade and audio controls, maybe seat massage too etc. because the owners probably have a driver, hence they make the center armrest with buttons. ES over there is already so expensive (b/c of taxes and Gov. fees) and sometimes considered a high luxury (same level of LS in the US), they also need to compete with other brands, so if one has a fancy armrest, others will follow... You may ask why they don't go ahead and get the LS then, very few do, because the LS other there will be at the price point of the RR here in the US, so people with that kind of money, unless they love Lexus to death, they will get a RR, Maybach or Bentley...
Last edited by july1988; Oct 17, 2023 at 09:03 AM.
Hello!
I'm doing some research on my own as I want to get an upgrade to a Lexus ES. Came across your thread about the armrest which led me down a pretty big rabbit hole but I think I got some answers. The complete diagrams of the rear seats and part numbers from this Japanese auto parts website are included. The fourth picture is the one needed for our conversation (though the topic of the other rear "executive" features did pop up and are included in the diagram as the "separate" seating in the 4:2:4 seat ratio), looks like if you want to do the conversion, you need 72830 (check coloring) and 72806b. Now unfortunately I have yet to come up blank with how to remove the old one and install the new one also its at least $660 dollars and that's before taxes and shipping fees from japan. If you have any new information regarding how to take the old ones out do let me know, because despite how useless this swap would be for most people, I carry a people in my rear seats often and when I make the upgrade to the ES I'd like to give them an upgrade (and also have bragging rights with other ES owners!
Rear Seat Armrest
so they make it as cheap as possible, this apply to all brands not just Lexus, unless it is the next level of Sedan, LS, 7-series, A8...
