New 2006 IS Pics
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: MD
Originally Posted by TheRupp
The use of buttons instead of ***** is more upscale. ***** have always been more base-model. When you get the more luxurious options, you get the buttons instead of the ***** (see also: Volkswagen Jetta/Golf IV Climatronic, older Nissan Maxima/Altima cloth vs. leather option, etc). Although I do agree that ***** are a quicker way to get to what setting you want (My ES has to cycle through the vent placement settings, and there's no back button... blah) the buttons and and the integration into the nav screen definitely gives it a classier look. However, we have yet to see the 2IS (yeah I'm a trend***** now 
) without a nav screen. The previous IS used *****, so we'll just have to wait and see if the new one does or doesn't.
) without a nav screen. The previous IS used *****, so we'll just have to wait and see if the new one does or doesn't.
As for buttons being more upscale, perhaps. But who gives a crap about upscale or not if the functionality blows? That's why I'm ambivalent about the ergonomics of the E90. With certain tweaks, like angling the dash/controls more towards the driver, I think there'd be a big improvement, but I'd have to try it out for a few days before deciding if the cleaner look was really at the expense of ease of use or not. Like I said before, I like the E46 interior, and so I'm sure I'd like the 2IS interior as well, but the lack of ***** really does stink. Besides, I think the E90 interior manages to look upscale with *****. The main problem is the cheaper look and feel and quality of "less upscale" models that incorporate those features, not the features themselves, IMO.
CL Community Team
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 30,277
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From: Canada
Originally Posted by Mr Bond
The IS interior does not remind me much of the E46.Only the steering wheel has the same shape.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,930
Likes: 203
From: Florida
Originally Posted by Incendiary
I never thought I'd say this, but the multitude of buttons on the E46 and MkII IS, while pleasing and perhaps more intuitive, are starting to look old and dated already. BTW, this is not intended as a bash, as I am, for the most part, a fan of the interior.
Also, the one thing that really irks me about the E46 interior, and what looks like Lexus has adapted for the MkII IS, is the lack of dials and ***** for HVAC controls. The E90 steps up in this sense, although it also steps way back down by adding iDrive (for NAV-eqiupped cars) and decreasing/eliminating the driver-oriented dash.
Also, the one thing that really irks me about the E46 interior, and what looks like Lexus has adapted for the MkII IS, is the lack of dials and ***** for HVAC controls. The E90 steps up in this sense, although it also steps way back down by adding iDrive (for NAV-eqiupped cars) and decreasing/eliminating the driver-oriented dash.
There are not that many button on my E46, in fact there all in the right place and do what I want them to do "when I want them to do it" quickly & fast. I don't want to spend several minutes adjusting the radio through I-drive when I can do it quickly myself manually on my E46. Also those humps bother me, I-drive you get 2 humps, no I-drive you get 1 hump. Just doesn't flow well for me.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: MD
Originally Posted by Mr Bond
The IS interior does not remind me much of the E46.Only the steering wheel has the same shape.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,509
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From: MD
Originally Posted by XanaduSC
I would totally disagree with saying the E90 steps up, I think they went backswards in design with the interior, it looks way too flat straight across the dash, no sexy curves. I have a E46 and I still love the interior from the drivers view, the E90 is like going back to the 70's with that dash. It is all a matter of what YOU like, I personally could not live with the interior of the E90 because of this.
There are not that many button on my E46, in fact there all in the right place and do what I want them to do "when I want them to do it" quickly & fast. I don't want to spend several minutes adjusting the radio through I-drive when I can do it quickly myself manually on my E46. Also those humps bother me, I-drive you get 2 humps, no I-drive you get 1 hump. Just doesn't flow well for me.
There are not that many button on my E46, in fact there all in the right place and do what I want them to do "when I want them to do it" quickly & fast. I don't want to spend several minutes adjusting the radio through I-drive when I can do it quickly myself manually on my E46. Also those humps bother me, I-drive you get 2 humps, no I-drive you get 1 hump. Just doesn't flow well for me.
Originally Posted by AmethySC
I agree, & I think the E90 interior looks even more outdated already than the E46 interior, I sat in one 2 weeks ago in the Auto Show.
the new IS interior looks sooo much better
Lexus Champion
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,788
Likes: 3
From: Illinois
Originally Posted by Incendiary
Thanks for posting the pics, but I meant the E46 interior, not the E90 one that you posted.
lol, sorry I posted that after 2 am, wasn't reading straight...And yes, iDrive is probably the worst driver control system yet. What's amazing is they already reformed it once
My neighbor has an 04 545i with iDrive, and it's just too much to go through if you want to turn the temperature down, or change the station. THIS is what happens when you try to be TOO efficient.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Personally, I think the E90 dash looks like an afterthought...the black inserts make the dash look like the one in my 1974 Mustang II with the aftermarket stereo! 
Maybe its just the light colored interior. I'm not a fan of flat black. It looks cheap. I don't like in the A4 either. Thats one of the spots where Lexus excels…even if it is just painted plastic.
As for the **** vs. button discussion, I hardly ever touch the stereo controls on my G35 coupe dash. I always use the buttons on the steering wheel. I figure the new IS steering wheel will have similar functionality. Love those wheel buttons!
Maybe its just the light colored interior. I'm not a fan of flat black. It looks cheap. I don't like in the A4 either. Thats one of the spots where Lexus excels…even if it is just painted plastic. As for the **** vs. button discussion, I hardly ever touch the stereo controls on my G35 coupe dash. I always use the buttons on the steering wheel. I figure the new IS steering wheel will have similar functionality. Love those wheel buttons!
Lexus Champion
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,788
Likes: 3
From: Illinois
Originally Posted by actham
As for the **** vs. button discussion, I hardly ever touch the stereo controls on my G35 coupe dash. I always use the buttons on the steering wheel. I figure the new IS steering wheel will have similar functionality. Love those wheel buttons!
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 5,813
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From: The Bay Area, CA, USA
