I prefer traditional sunroof with traditional leather or even the new imitation leather upholstery.
I don't like panoramic sunroofs - nor Lexus new flagship "velour" Alcantara type suede upholstery - because it wears fast, and spill milk etc and literally permanent stain.

I'm not sure if Lexus' new motorized doors very good idea or overkill either?

 

You need to pay really close attention to the particular wording of a feature entry in the brochure and web site entries. Specifically:
So, the Luxury model includes everything from the Premium package including the "Intuitive Parking Assist with Auto Braking37 and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert" which isn't explicitly listed under Luxury which is incorporated implicitly with the "Includes ES features with Premium Package" brochure language.

Also, read closely the Ultra Luxury feature description "Intuitive Parking Assist with Auto Braking,37 Rear Pedestrian Detection36 and Panoramic View Monitor". Notice the "... Rear Pedestrian Detection36 and Panoramic View Monitor" that isn't included in the Premium package's (and by incorporation the Luxury model) feature description?

There's more functionality to that Ultra Luxury feature entry which is why a separate feature entry is listed under the Ultra Luxury model and the incorporated through inclusion language like used for the Luxury model isn't used for the Ultra Luxury feature listing.

Note, the Ultra Luxury feature "Intuitive Parking Assist with Auto Braking,37 Rear Pedestrian Detection36 and Panoramic View Monitor" does also include the "Rear Cross-Traffic Alert" feature but isn't including in Lexus's feature description presumably to keep the feature description text length a reasonable size for the various listing formats.

You need to click on the down caret on that last option entry "Intuitive Parking Assist with Auto Braking and Rear Pedestrian Detection,* and ..." so you see the full text description of "Intuitive Parking Assist with Auto Braking and Rear Pedestrian Detection,* and Panoramic View Monitor*".

Again, notice the "... and Rear Pedestrian Detection,* and Panoramic View Monitor*"?

That additional Rear Pedestrian Detection and Panoramic View Monitor functional option is what turns the no additional cost, standard Luxury feature "Intuitive Parking Assist with Auto Braking37 and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert" into a $835 additional cost option for a Luxury model ES. While that feature is a no extra cost standard feature with the Ultra Luxury model, you're still paying for it indirectly with the higher starting price for Ultra Luxury models.

It is a matter of personal preference of whether the panoramic view monitor is a desirable (or even must have) feature that is worth the $835 additional cost to have that feature on a Luxury model vehicle. Some people don't want it and won't use it when "forced" to buy it if they couldn't find an ES that they wanted to buy without the unwanted panoramic view monitor. Others, including myself, consider (or have come to consider) it a must have feature due to the utility of having a good view of your vehicle's placement and travel to see things like how close you're getting to a curb to avoid the dreaded wheel/tire curb rash, how well you're getting positioned in a parking spot, navigating tight spaces without incurring dings and scrapes, etc.

The rear pedestrian detection is another matter of personal preference. Some people hate it; other people find it invaluable in that it has saved them a time or two from backing over unseen pedestrians.

 

Not backing over someone sure got complicated.

 

Our 2017 Explorer has full glass roof. No problems since new.(crap, did I say that out loud?) Our 2024 ES350 UL has it also. Probably wouldn’t have purchased if it didn’t. If Ford can pull it off I would hope Lexus can also. Looked at Toyota Crown also. While quite nice, non opening glass roof was a problem for us. Another factor, we have always had a convertible so open air driving to us is enjoyable.

 

2 years ago I purchased a 2019 ES 350 ultra luxury with a panoramic glass roof, on average I open it once or twice a month, however I do like the amount of light it lets in with the glass closed and the sunscreen fully opened, it has given me zero problems. The thing that has given me problems is the manual privacy screens on the rear doors, on hot days they make a muffled sound like an empty water bottle being squeezed. Yes it's under warranty however since the noise occurs intermittently it seems to almost never happen while it's in the service department. My service writer at Lexus is amazing, they have replaced broken clips inside the door and installed additional insulation in an effort to stop the sound. Overall the Lexus is FAR LESS problematic than my previous Mercedes E 350.

 

Car Care Nut on You Tube does a frightening video on a panoramic roof chronically troubled. It’s a beautiful , expensive late model Highlander. Convinced me the pano roof is not worth the risk of such aggravation.

Sorry. Just noticed this is repetitious.

 

My last car being another E350, I appreciate your point. Just a question out of curiosity - does that noise occur with the side shades up or down? I’ve almost never used mine (’22 ES350UL) but they’ve never made a sound so far,