Regarding Reliability - I've owned 3 Genesis and 4 Lexus and I've seen the reliability rankings. But here's my
personal experience. The Genesis have been more problem free. --- So, I pay little attention to the rankings.

But in participating on both forums for the last 20 years. Both makes have problems, but Genesis is able to fix theirs, not always true with Lexus.
I see people on this forum, that cannot get their problem fixed and they dump the car or live with the problem. I don't recall ever seeing that on the Genesis Forum.
I see quite a few posts on this forum, where Lexus cannot fix the posters car. Does this count as only '1' problem on the Lexus Reliability Rankings?

Does the uncomfortable seat on my ES350 count as a problem? - Probably not, I've never complained to Lexus, because they can't do anything about it.

 

Same would go for the dash material that scratches and gets marred so easily. Problems started in late 2018 and the same material is still being used. Very poor IMO...

 

I hope I don’t get flamed, and I’m not looking to argue with people who feel the seats in the ES are uncomfortable. I’ve got a 2025 ES 350 Ultra Luxury which I got in December of 2024. I have 9,200 miles on the clock. I’m 5’ 10”, 175 lbs. I don’t find the seats uncomfortable and wonder if the issue with the seats is related to the physique of different drivers.

I don’t think the seats are the most comfortable I’ve been in, not as good as the seats in the B5.5 Passat I had a few years ago or the seats I’ve experienced in any number of Volvos. And I think the seats in my wife’s 2025 Honda Pilot Elite are generally more comfortable than in my ES. But I’ve experienced no issues on the longer road trips I’ve taken in my ES.

Disclaimer: I also have an S2000. I know what firm, tight seats are like. I love my S2000, but I can’t go much longer than 2 hours in the seat without stopping to stretch. The ES has seats like a strato-lounger compared to the seats in my S2000.

I have noticed the rare creak with the panoramic roof, but it’s very intermittent.

 

made in Japan better!!
Made in the USA not so much..!!
American see it as a job ..
where Japanese workers make it a priority to make the best it can ..!!

 

"I’m 5’ 10”, 175 lbs. I don’t find the seats uncomfortable and wonder if the issue with the seats is related to the physique of different drivers."

Same here - I think the seats are fabulous. You are spot on. I think the people who are having trouble are physically atypical. I'm 5'11" 195lbs and find the seats extremely comfortable in my 2023 ES 350 base/premium.

I'm surprised at your comparison the Pilot's seats. We had a 2023 Pilot as a loaner once and it had similar seats to the ones in my wife's 2024 CR-V and, while they're okay, they get a bit too mushy and uncomfortable after more than an hour or so. I can take a 3 hour drive in my ES and find the seats very comfortable the entire time.

 

Yes, this has been discussed quite a bit here on this forum. Since the 'Average American' is now much bigger than they were in the 1960s... (Just look at the buffet lines), they all sit on top of the ES350's stiff side Bolsters on the seats, and squish them down. The slimmer folks fit between the bolsters and feel the side pressure of the stiff Bolsters pressing on their thighs. I'm 5' 8" and 140-145 pounds. The angle of the side bolsters is much higher and the bolsters are much stiffer than any car I've ever owned. They are constantly squeezing my upper thighs. That's my only complaint of the seats in the ES.

 

I’d rather deal with Lexus dash rattles than Hyundai engine and valve rattles.