The steering wheel controls are illuminated. As for the control box, if there's no backlight, there should be an LED "Spot" light illuminating that section i.e. the accent illumination found on the new RX330 for the door handle pockets, under the dash/footwell area, front cupholder well and the map/cargo light toggle switch.

 

I saw the new GS at the Washington Auto Show yesterday and asked a Lexus representative if the buttons on that 'box' are lit at night. He said 'yes'. I didn't believe him. I got the feeling that I was the first person who ever asked him that question and he was caught off guard. Most of us at CL are more knowledgable about new Lexus vehicles than those so-called 'representatives'

 

I think the MAX button is to control the brightness of the dash.

 

I am confident that those buttons will be illuminated, but I guess we'll have to wait until March.

 

It would make sense that they would light up...I hope we can get some confirmation on this & someone will post it here.

 

NO DOUBT! I can't tell you how many times I've announced stuff to my dealer!?!

 

where am i going put my quaters then?

 

Center console?

 

umm...... so that means i haev to open the box in order to hit the button to open the trunk?! isn't that a bit too complicated?

 

No. If the GS keyless remote system is like the one on the LS, there should be a button on the trunk to press (it will only open if you have the key fob on you).

 

Ah that makes sense. Otherwise it would be quite inconvenient having to keep pressing the up button until the illumination reaches the max, now that it's no longer a wheel design.

I kinda see the point of this box, which is to hide less frequently used controls from normal view of the cockpit to make for a cleaner look. The only button that I find too frequently used and thus inappropriate to be placed in that box is the MODE button for the trip computer. Personally I monitor and switch between the average gas mileage and the instant gas mileage readouts all the time. I would hate having to take my left hand off the steering wheel and open that box just to switch to another mileage readout. But perhaps that's just me.

 

ah gotcha, that would explain it

 

Doesn't that mean any passer by can pop your trunk while you're stopped at a light? Seems kinda odd.

 

This car is full of surprises!

 

No because when the engine is on, the trunk release is bypassed. The only way to open it would be through the interior switch.