I am currently looking to possibly purchase my very first Lexus. I am looking at the 2022 Lexus NX.

There is a wealth of new technology being introduced with this model, most of it tied to the 14” onboard screen that allows for incredible interactivity. There is also keyless access via a phone app.

However, when you dive deeper into the details, you find that Lexus is nickel-and-diming their customers to use these services after an initial free trial.

Now, I have driven a Lincoln for years and that company has never nickel-and-dimed their customers to use interactive technology.

When you consider this NX purchase is upwards of $60,000, one would expect that the technology extras would be included gratis or at least as upgrade options during the build (which at least one is on the Lexus NX).

It’s just inane that on top of a car payment — or if you purchase it outright and don’t want payments at all — there is a $25-$30+ charge per month just to use their technology services. At this time, from looking at past pricing, they aren’t even bundling everything together at a discount.

So, I wrote emails to every Lexus executive I could find including the CEO of the company.

I did get a phone response this morning from one of their top executives, which I thought was commendable. Basically he agreed that the subscription rates were a burden and that many customers have contacted him about them — including his own wife. However, other than documenting my complaint and moving it up the chain, he doesn’t see an immediate change on Toyota’s policy (or the technology company tied to the offerings) on subscriptions.

All I can hope is that more people complain about this. It’s the only way to let Lexus know how fed up we are with subscriptions being tied to a luxury vehicle.

Look at BMW…they charged their customers to use CarPlay for several years. Customers complained loudly and now that subscription no longer exists.

If anyone wants contact information to lodge their own complaint, please PM me and I’ll be happy to provide some contacts you can email.

 

Funny you mentioned BMW. Most high end manufacturers does this. I’ve owned several new BMWs in the past 10 years and even though CarPlay isn’t a subscription anymore, BMW still has a subscription fee for their navigation updates, traffic info, and safety services after the 3 - 4 year complimentary period.

 

I'm not defending Toyota and agree with your frustrations. The main improvement I have seen recently is that you can pick and choose some of the services. The Safety Connect and remote start used to be a package for example. The ala carte is an improvement. If Toyota decides to bake this into the cost of the car, they will just add the price up front whether you want the service or not. The manufacturer is NOT going to pay for the wireless services these "connected" apps require, so the consumer will pay for it one way or another. Frankly, I don't want every service offered so I would be disappointed if they transferred the cost to the purchase price of the car.

As an aside, this has become the norm for technology. I pay a recurring fee for Microsoft Office and our Ring doorbell for example. As our cars become more technology laden, this transition to recurring fees doesn't surprise me.

 

Almost every single technology service provider is heading this monthly fee direction. Apparently since we don't teach math in the public schools anymore, most people in the <40 age group, like monthly fees for everything, as long as they are small (generally less than $10). In other words, don't get your hopes up to change Toyota/Lexus company policy/direction.

 

I understand the reason for not paying for subscription services. But I have always been an Ala Carte type of buyer. Pay for what you use. If you don’t like the service for the cost. Don’t purchase it.

Example, should they tell Sirius XM they want to have every Lexus to have the service free for the life of the car.

Sirius XM says no problem the service is 150 a year. Average life of a car is 15 years. So it’s give us 2000 dollars for each car.

Lexus says no problem. We just add it to the MSRP.

So do you let the customer decide? Or the manufacturer? Someone has to pay for the service. Be it initially or yearly.

 

I am still undecided on the whole subscription model. Not sure how long the trial period is I guess. If it’s a couple years that would be nice. If it’s a couple months, it really needs to impress.

My main concern is the lack of a physical talk button that my current vehicle has and many other do as well. The only way I’ve seen to press the talk button is through the heads up display. What I mean by this is when you have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto connected, it’s real nice to press the talk button to say “play such and such song” or “navigate to blah blah blah”. I haven’t found a quick way to access it through pics/vids/press release. “Hey lexus” seems easy but without the button “hey Siri” is kind of dead in the water.

 

You will soon find the subscriptions aren't worth the cost. I tried them in my LC for the first couple of months, then stopped using them, and let them expire after the 3 years. There was just nothing compelling about them, certainly nothing worth paying for.

 

Totally agree, I be more mad if they add those extras to the msrp for those people doesn't use them. OP's argument is like I pay $2000 for my Iphone 12 pro max why should I pay for cellular fees. When you can sign up a 2 yrs contract you can get an Android phone free.
BMW case is different when the hardware/software is pretty much fixed once loaded is there forever unless there is a major bugs, similar like an air bag recall. that doesn't require month maintain than they charge their customer monthly fee.

All those new technology required cellular data if the car runs for 20yrs+ who is going pay for the cellular fees?

 

Thank you all for your insightful responses. You bring up some good arguments for the subscriptions. I also agree that Lexus/Toyota will not change their policies.

This particular quote above caught my attention and it is a major concern…

There is no talk button in the 2022 NX. How do you summon Siri (CarPlay) or Google (Android) if you wish to use those voice interactive services?

Are they always listening through a microphone in the vehicle?

I am a little concerned that the one button you would normally use to interact with CarPlay and Android Audio is now missing.

 

My guess the left side 4 arrow buttons are multi-function buttons. By default arrow are for the screen navgation. If you hit the function button below the arrow button the function changes. The arrow up will be answer calls and down will be voice command.
At current Lexus car with carplay hit voice button to bring Lexus voice command, if you are connected to carplay hold 3 second to bring up Siri.

 

There is a talk button on the 2022 NX. If the car has a heads up display, you will see what button does what in the heads up display. If you don't opt for the HUD, the steering wheel will have the normal buttons you are used to seeing.
Also you really don't need a talk button because everything can be activated by voice. For the Lexus system, you can say "Hey Lexus", "Hi Lexus" or "Hello Lexus" as the wake word. For Apple and Android, just say "Hey Siri" or "Hey Google".

 

Thank you for the responses. So, the bottom line here is that the 2022 NX has a live microphone that will pick up on “Hey Lexus” and “Hey Siri” or “Hey Google” eliminating the need to press a talk button.

 

Correct. But I'm pretty sure you could turn off the wake word and use the button if you prefer. The cool part about "Hey Lexus" is that you don't have to wait until the beep. Just say "Hey Lexus" and give the command.

 

I didn’t realize that was a feature for “hey Siri” in the Lexus. Not 100% sure how I feel about that. As even my Homepods get confused with words that sound like “Siri”. Plus Siri would always be listening. Idk.