Hello everyone,

Still in the here....I am shopping for an ES 350...

I found a 2020 ES 350 'premium' package in the colour I want with 17,000 Km's (11,000 miles)...with the 'premium package' One owner, service history & Lexus CPO.

I originally was hell bent on the ultra luxury package...(I really like the LED headlamps on this model)....however, considering what the package includes, I am wondering if it is actually needed (especially the price on a used model); 5 to 6k more.

The premium package checks almost all the boxes for what I want / need.

What are fellow members thoughts on an ultra luxury package vs. the premium?

Thanks!

 

I just got a '22 Ultra Lux. I can't speak to the exact options in 2019 but in Canada we have a lot less "individual" options so the trim levels are actually bundles of options. Ultra Lux for me gave me foot opening trunk, 360 degree camera view, upgraded leather seats, rear sun shades, useless "ambient" lighting, etc. I don't have all the exact specs off-hand but if you can find a 2019 Canadian ES brochure (they are on the Canadian Lexus media website) then you can see if those options might be worth it to you. They were to me but I wasn't worried about the cost.

 

5-6k sounds like a lot, but not sure about canadian money.

The answer always is if you like the options and if you can swing it, do it.

If not, don't do it.

Personally I'd finance / pay 3k extra max for the options i want on this car, but only if the car was discounted a lot to offset.

For me if I could find the car with standalone triple beams or pre-packaged, i'd get it, but it only came w/ luxury and for me getting an ES is nice, but is a hyped camry, so I decided an ES was pushing it already in terms of what i'd want to pay for what i'm getting.

If i'm paying true 60k car money , i'm going for real germans at that point.

not sure why more cars aren't ordered or spec'd with standalone triple beams.

premium package + triple beams + standalone rear shades would be all i'd want.

i don't care about a hated wheel, pano roof (pano roof actually makes your car worse + weaker + heavier)

 

I'll jump in untll somebody smarter gives a better answer.

For '22, there's almost no difference between Luxury and Ultra Luxury, as almost all the UL's features are now also on the L.

But in all years, most of the desirable features are freestanding options anyway. The only big features standard on the UL and L are some extra sound deadening, the rear sunshade(s), 360 cameras, and the leather seats (better, semi-aniline leather on UL). If you don't need those, I think most of the other big stuff is either standard or optional with the Premium Package: Levinson & nav for sure, pano sunroof, ventilated seats, even triple beam LEDs (I think) if you want those.

Be advised that '19 and some '20 owners without Levinson are super p!ssed about nearly no rear sound from the base Pioneer stereo.

 

I have the 2022 ES350 Ultra Luxury. I really recommend the Ultra Luxury model. I have the triple beam LED headlamps on mine and they are much better than the regular led headlights. I suggest that you get the Ultra Luxury model if you’re going to spend the money for an ES350.

 

I think you can perfectly enjoy this outstanding car without the semi-anylin leather, triple beam headlights, electric boot and ML system, just like me.
But whatever package you choose, I would strongly recommend the 360 degree camera, as it makes the car much more easy to handle in tight spaces.
Also, when living in a (partly) warm climate, you will be grateful to have ventilated front seats.

 

360, ML, tripple beam are MUST have.

 

I agree and that’s why you need to get the Ultra Luxury model. You will regret it if you get anything less than the Ultra Luxury model.

 

You can get all that in Luxury for less money.

 

If, as you say, the Premium checks almost all of your boxes, then it sounds like you will be happy with the Premium trim and no need to pay up for Ultra Luxury.

As fyi, in between the Premium and Ultra Luxury, is the Luxury trim. You might check that out.

Or, as with my wife's 2019 ES300h, some Luxury trim vehicles have the three options ESh mentioned (as well as others) as additional individual options.

 

I will chime in here. I have a Base + Premium and am very satisfied with it. I like the wood trim and upgraded 18" wheels as well. The only items I might have liked are the ML sound system and the triple beam headlights. I absolutely did not want a panoramic roof or factory navigation. I really like the Nuluxe upholstery because I don't have to care for it like the leather in my other cars and it's just as comfortable to me. I felt that the price was a bargain considering top line Accords and Camrys are going for almost $40k. For as little as I drive I just wanted a reasonably quick, comfy, reliable car that doesn't break the bank with service costs.

 

Thank you all for your feed back! Glamglam, that is one beautiful ride!! The UL package does indeed make the vehicle stand out more than the other models.

They are so difficult to find up here in the great white north (I am looking for a Lexus CPO model in either Atomic silver or Nebula Grey. As the expression goes, patience is a virtue & just wait for the right UL package.

 

Your specific question was about comparison of a premium package car to an Ultra Luxury model. You asked if the additional options are really necessary or worth the extra money. I would say that may boil down to your budget and the availability in your market. I imagine you don't have the selection on St. Thomas and thus cars have to be brought in by ship? (I'm assuming you are on the island and not some city with a similar name?)

My last ES was a premium package car and my current ES is a Luxury package car. I will say that the NuLuxe seating material in the Premium model looked better after 5 years than my current seats after 3 years. It didn't seem to absorb as much of my jeans dye and when it did, it was easier to clean off. So for me, the NuLuxe seats are lower maintenance but you miss that rich odor from the real animal hide. Of course, you don't see cracks or stretch marks that result from animal hides. I personally like both so I don't think either would be a disappointment.

As for the triple beam headlights, I had them on my last NX and they were terrific. Having said that, the standard headlights on our 2019 ES are good and seem to illuminate better than the headlights of my 2015 Premium package ES, but the triple beams are better. If you need the best and your budget and availability supports it, I highly recommend them - but no, they aren't really "necessary."

The 360 view was something I didn't even know I needed. I thought it was just a gimicky thing to raise the price. I have been educated. My wife and I both love that feature. When we were shopping for our 2021 RX we were test driving an RX 350 and when we stopped to switch drivers, my wife realized it didn't have the 360 view cameras and she wouldn't even get in to drive it. She said "hard no, take it back." So for us, I can say that has become a must-have feature. Unless the premium package car was a special order than included the Panoramic View when new, it is unlikely to have that feature.

The Ultra Luxury will also have the additional sound deadening others here have already mentioned. I think that makes the car more luxurious. I also like the Heads Up Display (HUD) as does my wife, which is a common feature on most Ultra Luxury examples. That particular feature seems to be a real "love it or hate it" feature with many members here.

Bottom line, I think you would be happy with the premium package car, but would you enjoy the Ultra Luxury more. I think so - but is it worth the money difference - I guess that may depend on your budget and availability but it would be for me.

 

In my recent experience with Audi, having the top of the line trim would have paid for itself when it came time to sell. This may not be true in the future as Internal Combustion Engine cars may not be as sought after. I often wished I had purchased the Presige vs the Premium Plus package. At any rate, the triple beam head lights are a must for me on my Lexus.

 

I appreciate the feedback TechNut....I am in St. Thomas Ontario....15 minutes from London Ontario (a population of 500,000+ with a Lexus dealer)...not on an island & 90 minutes from the Detroit border.

I am finding (due to the current state of the new & used car market) that there are a decent amount of 2020 ES 350's out there.....half that are Lexus CPO....& about 1 in 10 are the UL package....with a 5 to 6k dollar difference.

I agree with the assessment for the most part re the UL package....I honestly just want the triple beam LED headlights & ML audio system....a sedan that size (IMO) does not need a 360 degree view.; the other options, I don't think I would use (HUD is fine & well....my Wife has it on her 2020 GMC Acadia SLT AWD); bull up rear door sunshades, power rear sunshade....that's what tinted windows are for....again in my opinion.

Wrestling with the extra expense to justify for only 2 main features I would want & would actually use.....triple beam LED headlights & the ML audio system.

If the price was maybe 2 - 3k....I might bite at it.

It goes without saying, the prices of pre-owned vehicles are higher due to the current market & dealers are in business to make money....but is it worth that premium?