Should I Wait?
In a brief look at the Lexus Canada English version web site with Ontario selected for the province, you don't have a whole lot of choice available when purchasing a Lexus ES in Canada. For a non-F Sport ES 350, you only have the choice of a "Premium (Standard Package)" or an "Ultra Luxury". (Lexus Canada seems to prefer using the term "package" for what US would use the term "model type" for.) For a Premium everything is fixed except for a choice of one of 5 exterior colors - all with black interior. The same goes with an Ultra Luxury - fixed features configuration but with 2 additional exterior colors to choose from and depending upon exterior color one or two interior colors to chose from in addition to black.
In the screen size department, for a non-F Sport ES 350 there's no choice - you get a 12.3 inch screen (with Lexus Interface with Safety Connect (up to 10 yr. trial), Service Connect (up to 10 yr. trial), Remote Connect (3 yr. trial) and Drive Connect (3 yr. trial)) whether you want it or not.
In the audio/stereo department, there's no choice: Premium models are fixed to the base 10 speaker system and Ultra Luxury models are fixed to the Mark Levinson 17 speaker system.
In the wheels department, there's no choice: Premium models are fixed to 17 inch wheels and Ultra Luxury models are fixed to 18 inch noise reduction wheels.
While there's more fixed feature differences between the Premium and Ultra Luxury model type choices, the above should give you the idea the only real features choice decision you have is selecting between Premium and Ultra Luxury model types. At least from what I could determine for a non-F Sport ES 350, selecting the model type determines the unchangeable set of features the vehicle is equipped with. (You can add to you ES purchase accessory add-ons; e.g., floor mats, dash cam, paint protection film, etc.)
Again, the above is based upon a fairly brief look around of the Lexus Canada ES web pages so I may have missed or misunderstood something. If I've gotten something wrong, hopefully someone with Lexus Canada ES buying experience will chime in to correct any mistakes.
This is my first hybrid car; and so far, so good. I really enjoy the quietness when cruising on EV. As a plus, I have only filled the tank twice since new (< $65 total); and still have half tank left with 895 miles driven.
I hope so (reliability)! I was originally considering only a V6, either ES350 or the TLX Type-S. But after a "what if" test drive I jumped on 23' 300h.
This is my first hybrid car; and so far, so good. I really enjoy the quietness when cruising on EV. As a plus, I have only filled the tank twice since new (< $65 total); and still have half tank left with 895 miles driven.
This is my first hybrid car; and so far, so good. I really enjoy the quietness when cruising on EV. As a plus, I have only filled the tank twice since new (< $65 total); and still have half tank left with 895 miles driven.
Thanks everyone for your replies.
I'm leaning quite heavily towards the ES-350 2024.
I will consider the UL, but apart from the quiet wheels, I don't see any other feature that appeals to me.
One thing that surprised me when I was looking at the car's features was the default sound system.
I was expecting the latest and greatest USB stick technology. Lo and behold it's sporting the same
CD system that I have in my 2007 ES-350!
I'm not complaining, I'm just surprised.
It isn't clear from the info at the Lexus site if an entertainment/guidance screen is included by default or is an option?
I'm leaning quite heavily towards the ES-350 2024.
I will consider the UL, but apart from the quiet wheels, I don't see any other feature that appeals to me.
One thing that surprised me when I was looking at the car's features was the default sound system.
I was expecting the latest and greatest USB stick technology. Lo and behold it's sporting the same
CD system that I have in my 2007 ES-350!
I'm not complaining, I'm just surprised.
It isn't clear from the info at the Lexus site if an entertainment/guidance screen is included by default or is an option?
I’m very impressed with my new ES. The V6 is silky smooth … effortless power. As others have noted, handling is much improved over previous generations. As such the ride is a bit firmer, but still quiet and comfortable. I find the latest version of the infotainment to be pretty intuitive, very fast and much improved over the previous version (my wife has a RX350 with the previous infotainment system). Wireless Apple CarPlay connects quickly and works great. And, the new infotainment “hey Lexus” command and response works great. I hope this helps. Good luck with your decision.
I was in the same exact boat this year, trying to decide if I should wait for the 2025 ES350 while milking along my beloved 1999 Avalon for another 9 months or pull the trigger on a 2024.
My concern was that 2024 inventory might not be that great around the time the 2025 model becomes available, so I might get stuck with something I was not thrilled with. I was looking for a model with the fewest dealer add-ons and fewest factory options and this has been hard to find, at least in my area. I was also concerned people would jump on the V6 model if it turns out 2025 will be a turbo, making it even harder to play the "wait and see" game. In the end I bought a 2024 and have been very happy.
Also, I believe you stack the odds in your favor reliability-wise if you get the last year's production run in a generation vs the first year of a new generation.
My concern was that 2024 inventory might not be that great around the time the 2025 model becomes available, so I might get stuck with something I was not thrilled with. I was looking for a model with the fewest dealer add-ons and fewest factory options and this has been hard to find, at least in my area. I was also concerned people would jump on the V6 model if it turns out 2025 will be a turbo, making it even harder to play the "wait and see" game. In the end I bought a 2024 and have been very happy.
Also, I believe you stack the odds in your favor reliability-wise if you get the last year's production run in a generation vs the first year of a new generation.
Last edited by hotwings; Nov 18, 2023 at 08:59 PM.
I was in the same exact boat this year, trying to decide if I should wait for the 2025 ES350 while milking along my beloved 1999 Avalon for another 9 months or pull the trigger on a 2024.
My concern was that 2024 inventory might not be that great around the time the 2025 model becomes available, so I might get stuck with something I was not thrilled with. I was looking for a model with the fewest dealer add-ons and fewest factory options and this has been hard to find, at least in my area. I was also concerned people would jump on the V6 model if it turns out 2025 will be a turbo, making it even harder to play the "wait and see" game. In the end I bought a 2024 and have been very happy.
Also, I believe you stack the odds in your favor reliability-wise if you get the last year's production run in a generation vs the first year of a new generation.
My concern was that 2024 inventory might not be that great around the time the 2025 model becomes available, so I might get stuck with something I was not thrilled with. I was looking for a model with the fewest dealer add-ons and fewest factory options and this has been hard to find, at least in my area. I was also concerned people would jump on the V6 model if it turns out 2025 will be a turbo, making it even harder to play the "wait and see" game. In the end I bought a 2024 and have been very happy.
Also, I believe you stack the odds in your favor reliability-wise if you get the last year's production run in a generation vs the first year of a new generation.
In short, there is always pros and cons in every scenario, just let your money talk 
If you are in no rush and can wait, and DO want to save money, I'll just wait for 2025 model year to come out to see what's up.
If you don't like it, go back and find a good deal on a 2023 model year, save a lot of money, same exact car as in 2024, and probably have everything that 2025 has as well, plus the V6 LOL
2023 is the (ONLY) year you should buy if looking for an used 7th gen ES, and it's very rare because Lexus give it a new software interface, as it blows all previous years out of water (even 19-22, let alone 2018 and order), and it will probably stay very competitive with 2025-2030 model year (2025+ probably have safety system 3.0, that's the only notable upgrade that I can think of as of now), some may prefer the V6 from 2023 better, so it evens out.

If you are in no rush and can wait, and DO want to save money, I'll just wait for 2025 model year to come out to see what's up.
If you don't like it, go back and find a good deal on a 2023 model year, save a lot of money, same exact car as in 2024, and probably have everything that 2025 has as well, plus the V6 LOL
2023 is the (ONLY) year you should buy if looking for an used 7th gen ES, and it's very rare because Lexus give it a new software interface, as it blows all previous years out of water (even 19-22, let alone 2018 and order), and it will probably stay very competitive with 2025-2030 model year (2025+ probably have safety system 3.0, that's the only notable upgrade that I can think of as of now), some may prefer the V6 from 2023 better, so it evens out.
Last edited by july1988; Nov 20, 2023 at 10:39 AM.
In short, there is always pros and cons in every scenario, just let your money talk 
If you are in no rush and can wait, and DO want to save money, I'll just wait for 2025 model year to come out to see what's up.
If you don't like it, go back and find a good deal on a 2023 model year, save a lot of money, same exact car as in 2024, and probably have everything that 2025 has as well, plus the V6 LOL
2023 is the (ONLY) year you should buy if looking for an used 7th gen ES, and it's very rare because Lexus give it a new software interface, as it blows all previous years out of water (even 19-22, let alone 2018 and order), and it will probably stay very competitive with 2025-2030 model year (2025+ probably have safety system 3.0, that's the only notable upgrade that I can think of as of now), some may prefer the V6 from 2023 better, so it evens out.

If you are in no rush and can wait, and DO want to save money, I'll just wait for 2025 model year to come out to see what's up.
If you don't like it, go back and find a good deal on a 2023 model year, save a lot of money, same exact car as in 2024, and probably have everything that 2025 has as well, plus the V6 LOL
2023 is the (ONLY) year you should buy if looking for an used 7th gen ES, and it's very rare because Lexus give it a new software interface, as it blows all previous years out of water (even 19-22, let alone 2018 and order), and it will probably stay very competitive with 2025-2030 model year (2025+ probably have safety system 3.0, that's the only notable upgrade that I can think of as of now), some may prefer the V6 from 2023 better, so it evens out.
I was content with the '22 even though the '23 had the new interface, because the biggest advancement was to allow touchscreen control, and the '22 granted that wish even though it still had the old interface. The old interface is far from a total loss -- for one thing, it allows dual-screen capabiility that the '23 system denies. For another, I can play my CDs. (Why yes, I am old. Why do you ask?)
Your post isn't an unreasonable one, but being biased as a '22 owner, I'll mildly disagree.
I was content with the '22 even though the '23 had the new interface, because the biggest advancement was to allow touchscreen control, and the '22 granted that wish even though it still had the old interface. The old interface is far from a total loss -- for one thing, it allows dual-screen capabiility that the '23 system denies. For another, I can play my CDs. (Why yes, I am old. Why do you ask?)
I was content with the '22 even though the '23 had the new interface, because the biggest advancement was to allow touchscreen control, and the '22 granted that wish even though it still had the old interface. The old interface is far from a total loss -- for one thing, it allows dual-screen capabiility that the '23 system denies. For another, I can play my CDs. (Why yes, I am old. Why do you ask?)

Generally speaking, the new interface is better and it's here to stay relevantly for the next 6-7 years. Giving it (new software interface), as well as changing the whole console/shifter layout (an improvement IMO) with better wireless charging, to the 2023 ES was a bold but necessary move from Lexus, I feel like they had to do that to avoid the drop in sale as people may just either wait, turn to EV or a competitor, or Lexus knew that they will delay the new ES until 2026.
How is that not "remotely correct"? We have had these types of hybrid systems for what? 5 years in mass production? 7? In this specific spec and up until the last 3 years they haven't been as wide spread as they are today.
We don't have a decade of testing and durability for dual electric set ups?
We don't have quality long term studies on even the battery models they are selling today for longevity, resale values..
You can disagree all you want, but statics and car sales don't lie. Look at dealerships.. They can't give away electric and hybrid models.. Now we won't have any choice but to buy them..
And btw Stoodo.
If you feel that way about it, why don't you lay down some money on the LC500h... Ill sit back and watch while Im driving away in my V8 and you are trading yours in for hybrid camry in a few years.
I'm happy for you, looks like you found a perfect car with the right options. 
Generally speaking, the new interface is better and it's here to stay relevantly for the next 6-7 years. Giving it (new software interface), as well as changing the whole console/shifter layout (an improvement IMO) with better wireless charging, to the 2023 ES was a bold but necessary move from Lexus, I feel like they had to do that to avoid the drop in sale as people may just either wait, turn to EV or a competitor, or Lexus knew that they will delay the new ES until 2026.

Generally speaking, the new interface is better and it's here to stay relevantly for the next 6-7 years. Giving it (new software interface), as well as changing the whole console/shifter layout (an improvement IMO) with better wireless charging, to the 2023 ES was a bold but necessary move from Lexus, I feel like they had to do that to avoid the drop in sale as people may just either wait, turn to EV or a competitor, or Lexus knew that they will delay the new ES until 2026.










I've never owned a hybrid but wouldn't hesitate one second to buy one from Toyota based on reliability.


