Consumer Reports Attacks Lexus/Toyota Again
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Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 441
Likes: 147
From: WI
Consumer Reports Attacks Lexus/Toyota Again
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,556
Likes: 3,397
From: NJ
Who cares. We can go back to AM only radios and then there will be nothing to complain about. The more an infotainment system is expected to do, the more clunky it's going to be. I spent roughly 20 minutes two weeks ago pairing my new Galaxy S20. The maze of sub menus was enough to make me scream
At the end of the day, it worked and all is well.
At the end of the day, it worked and all is well.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 5,295
Likes: 1,589
From: SE PA
I'm inclined to agree with most of the report. Though I haven't seen or used other car maker's systems except Honda and Hyundai, IMO there is a lot of improvement necessary and that includes Lexus. Wife's top of the line Honda is worse than my Lexus... Son just bought a new Mazda CX30 in January and that system looks promising but a very small screen. Still working at it...
Driver
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 180
Likes: 48
From: NJ
"Although many Lexus vehicles are at the top of CR’s reliability and owner satisfaction ratings, their distracting infotainment systems can be deal breakers for some buyers."
And this is so true. You can operate the latest gen ES fine as long as the car is parked. I am keeping my 2017 ES and won't even consider getting the latest gen ES. Lexus really f****d up here with the latest Gen ES. One should not have a vehicle that is so frustrating to operate. I have heard people returning their latest Gen ES and going back to their older ES. They would rather take the financial hit then live in agony with the new model.
And this is so true. You can operate the latest gen ES fine as long as the car is parked. I am keeping my 2017 ES and won't even consider getting the latest gen ES. Lexus really f****d up here with the latest Gen ES. One should not have a vehicle that is so frustrating to operate. I have heard people returning their latest Gen ES and going back to their older ES. They would rather take the financial hit then live in agony with the new model.
Driver
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 60
Likes: 28
From: Usa
Who cares. We can go back to AM only radios and then there will be nothing to complain about. The more an infotainment system is expected to do, the more clunky it's going to be. I spent roughly 20 minutes two weeks ago pairing my new Galaxy S20. The maze of sub menus was enough to make me scream At the end of the day, it worked and all is well.
At the end of the day, it worked and all is well.
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Instructor
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 787
Likes: 52
Back when out RX was new (2013), my wife was complaining about the AM reception, saying it was noticeably worse than our 2010. I took it in, thinking that an antenna connection may have been bad. They didn't even look for an issue! I mentioned that none (at the time this was our 4th Lexus) of the others are nearly as bad! I was TOTALLY dismissed by the service writer, who told me that AM reception is always bad and the radio is "performing as expected". I really dislike that phrase that I seem to hear every time I have a warranty issue with Lexus, and complained about it on this forum. I was roundly criticized and repeatedly told that I shouldn't be listening to AM anyway. Apparently, "no one listens to AM", so it doesn't matter.BTW - I generally agree with the article. The Lexus Nav system is painful to use, and the awful voice response is no help for me at all. After learning how to use ACP effectively (it took a little effort to adjust to a few quirks), I now use it exclusively. It's not perfect either, but way better than the Lexus system. I even bought the wireless ACP adapter so it connects automatically.
Last edited by User 41924; Aug 12, 2020 at 10:47 AM.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,556
Likes: 3,397
From: NJ
Well, not exactly. Back when out RX was new (2013), my wife was complaining about the AM reception, saying it was noticeably worse than our 2010. I took it in, thinking that an antenna connection may have been bad. They didn't even look for an issue! I mentioned that none (at the time this was our 4th Lexus) of the others are nearly as bad! I was TOTALLY dismissed by the service writer, who told me that AM reception is always bad and the radio is "performing as expected". I really dislike that phrase that I seem to hear every time I have a warranty issue with Lexus, and complained about it on this forum. I was roundly criticized and repeatedly told that I shouldn't be listening to AM anyway. Apparently, "no one listens to AM", so it doesn't matter.
BTW - I generally agree with the article. The Lexus Nav system is painful to use, and the awful voice response is no help for me at all. After learning how to use ACP effectively (it took a little effort to adjust to a few quirks), I now use it exclusively. It's not perfect either, but way better than the Lexus system. I even bought the wireless ACP adapter so it connects automatically.
Back when out RX was new (2013), my wife was complaining about the AM reception, saying it was noticeably worse than our 2010. I took it in, thinking that an antenna connection may have been bad. They didn't even look for an issue! I mentioned that none (at the time this was our 4th Lexus) of the others are nearly as bad! I was TOTALLY dismissed by the service writer, who told me that AM reception is always bad and the radio is "performing as expected". I really dislike that phrase that I seem to hear every time I have a warranty issue with Lexus, and complained about it on this forum. I was roundly criticized and repeatedly told that I shouldn't be listening to AM anyway. Apparently, "no one listens to AM", so it doesn't matter.BTW - I generally agree with the article. The Lexus Nav system is painful to use, and the awful voice response is no help for me at all. After learning how to use ACP effectively (it took a little effort to adjust to a few quirks), I now use it exclusively. It's not perfect either, but way better than the Lexus system. I even bought the wireless ACP adapter so it connects automatically.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 286
Likes: 82
From: ca
"Although many Lexus vehicles are at the top of CR’s reliability and owner satisfaction ratings, their distracting infotainment systems can be deal breakers for some buyers."
And this is so true. You can operate the latest gen ES fine as long as the car is parked. I am keeping my 2017 ES and won't even consider getting the latest gen ES. Lexus really f****d up here with the latest Gen ES. One should not have a vehicle that is so frustrating to operate. I have heard people returning their latest Gen ES and going back to their older ES. They would rather take the financial hit then live in agony with the new model.
And this is so true. You can operate the latest gen ES fine as long as the car is parked. I am keeping my 2017 ES and won't even consider getting the latest gen ES. Lexus really f****d up here with the latest Gen ES. One should not have a vehicle that is so frustrating to operate. I have heard people returning their latest Gen ES and going back to their older ES. They would rather take the financial hit then live in agony with the new model.
I read some of these complaints before I bought my 2020 ES350 UL and it wasn't even close to a deal breaker for me. You can easily access almost all of the functions of the infotainment system through VOICE Command, buttons on the Steering Wheel and buttons on the dash. Honestly how often would you even need to use this through the pad when you were driving? You will NEVER find the perfect car and I guarantee you this Generation car is a step above your 2017 in almost every category! I'm sure its EXTREMELY rare people returning this car and returning to their old car as you are implying. Have you ever even drove one yet?
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,556
Likes: 3,397
From: NJ
I read some of these complaints before I bought my 2020 ES350 UL and it wasn't even close to a deal breaker for me. You can easily access almost all of the functions of the infotainment system through VOICE Command, buttons on the Steering Wheel and buttons on the dash. Honestly how often would you even need to use this through the pad when you were driving? You will NEVER find the perfect car and I guarantee you this Generation car is a step above your 2017 in almost every category! I'm sure its EXTREMELY rare people returning this car and returning to their old car as you are implying. Have you ever even drove one yet?
Racer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 439
From: oh
Consumer Reports is far from alone with this complaint. When I was shopping for my 2019 last year, I saw 3 or 4 major reviews with the essentially the same title -- "Lexus gets everything right except one thing" Of course the one thing is the infotainment system and the trackpad in particular.
That said, I don't mind it. You get used to stuff over time. OTOH, this was my first new car in 15 years, so I haven't used other infotainment systems to compare. Also, I use CarPlay almost exclusively, so I don't deal with the infotainment system much anymore, just the trackpad.
That said, I don't mind it. You get used to stuff over time. OTOH, this was my first new car in 15 years, so I haven't used other infotainment systems to compare. Also, I use CarPlay almost exclusively, so I don't deal with the infotainment system much anymore, just the trackpad.
Pole Position
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3,143
Likes: 1,701
From: NC
#1 in reliability along with customer loyalty and lowest depreciation and lowest maintenance cost in the luxury division over seven years. I am okay with an average infotainment system. Do I wish it was better and Lexus had Android Auto in 2017 models absolutely.