What are the differences between the 21 and 22 ES?
Thanks

 

Hardly anything. I own 2021. Very fine car. Any changes I noted in the 2022 were trivial to me but you may be different. All available on line.

 

There are some hidden changes and improvements but when we talk about the visual changes: headlights from bumper and touchscreen.

 

If i was going for a 7ES today, 23+ would be preferred. followed by 22, then 21, then 20. I would avoid 19.

23 got safety improvement
22 got cool wheels, if im not mistaken the updated lights (slight tweak).
21/20 get the better hybrid battery
19 first year/lame battery

 

19 and 20 get Nimh battery, Li-Ion from 2021.
Nimh is not lame at all. It is proven.

 

IMHO, the '22 addition of the touchscreen was the biggest upgrade in the history of the 7th generation. And I put my money where my mouth was, postponing my purchase until I could get a touchscreen instead of depending on a touchpad or mouse (the same reason I never got the Lexus GS instead). And I'm not alone. Car and Driver's review in 2019 was headlined "An Attractive Luxury Sedan with a Frustrating Flaw" (yep, the touchscreen). And in 2022, Cars.com declared the entire car had moved up in their esteem because of the change:
https://www.cars.com/articles/2022-l...to-buy-442512/

2023 marked another upgrade with the adoption of the new infotainment interface from other Lexus models, which is more modern and faster than previous ES's. But for me personally, the biggest step forward was a system that was finally at least usable enough that it didn't degrade the entire car (an opinion with which I know many of my esteemed peers here sincerely disagree).

 

Been using the touchpad for five years now and barely take my eyes off the road. Try that with a touchscreen😉

 

Including this peer who disagrees. I don’t want the smears and fingerprints of a touchscreen that I see everytime I look at it. I’m comfortable with the pad in my 2021 and prefer it. I had a Prius with the touchscreen so I know both. To each his own.

 

Touchscreen is a downgrade imo. They went backwards with that one.

 

Nice to see the conversation revolve around the touchscreen - I figured that was the major change. Preference I suppose. I do see the convenience in the touchscreen but if I can avoid staring at the screen and keep my eyes on the road then perhaps the touchpad would be better. Not sure.

 

OTOH, one could say you're making my case for me that the '22 is the most desirable ES — it's the only year that could please both of us.

 

Touchscreen is a downgrade imo. They went backwards with that one.

 

My first touchscreen was in my SC430, which I had for 14 years; I had an RX for a few years also, and most recently I had the touchpad for 9 years in my RC350. Now I have the giant touchscreen in my '24 ES350 UL.
Having used both a lot, I much prefer the touchscreen, and I know why all the reviewers trash the little mousy pad.
Fingerprints eventually pile up, but there is a pocket in the door for a small microfiber towel.
Of course, that's just my opinion.

 

A revival of men's and women's driving glove wearing would address the touchscreen fingerprint issue.

 

Can you touch the right side of thw screen without leaning forward?