The 2007 LS 460 was given an amazing rating of 99 out of 100 by Consumer Reports! This was well ahead of the competition, and gave Lexus incredible bragging rights. Lexus held this distinction till the 2013 LS came along. The score for the new model is 92. At least half a dozen other vehicles now score higher. What a disgrace.

The reason is clear. Lexus was famous for its simple, ergonomic controls, especially its convenient touch screen. No longer! Consumer Reports specifically singles out its new mouse-like controller for criticism.

Now, in an age of touch screen iPhones, iPads, Android phones etc, Lexus across the range has taken a giant leap into the past.

And its not just Consumer Reports. The authoritative Car and Driver in its June 2013 issue had this to say about the same system on the new IS: "It's a good thing we have so few other complaints about the IS, though, because its mouse-operated infotainment system burns through our goodwill in short order and turns us into sputtering, apoplectic maniacs. "Distracted driving" is a rallying-cry for safety advocates everywhere; this device is infotainments nadir, a deserving flashpoint for a revolution against its kind".

Hey Lexus!! IS ANYONE LISTENING???

 

I went and took a look at the 2013 prerelease and wasn't impressed. They redesigned the interior and added the new front which they're adding to everything to their entire line. Besides that, I don't recall anything that would help them stay with the times. As you stated, in a age of smartphones, Internet and social media, they double at least made these standards on their flagship instead of letting the aftermarket take care of that.

 

wasn't impressed either