Rear Arm Rest Panel
 

Hi all, new to the forum, love what you do here. Quick question for you all:

I just picked up a 2015 comfort/premium. Upon delivery, I notice the rear sear arm rest panel is plastic instead of trim-matching, which would be ebony for me. Any ideas?

Thank you for bringing this up. I wanted to mention this as well on the forums. In all of their brochures and pictures the arm rest portion should be wood and matching rest of theme, instead its plain plastic.

Can any other members comment???

Edit: IE this

http://www.rudylimo.com/Fleet/assets...350_int-02.jpg

The car I saw in the showroom at the matching panel. I am not sure why this piece would be omitted especially when it's shown on the lexus website :

http://www.lexus.com/models/RX/packages

If you scroll down to the premium package and expand it, you can see the pic with description REAR-ARMREST STORAGE COMPARTMENT.

http://www.lexus.com/cm-img/features...107-RX1157.jpg

my 2011 have wood on the rear arm rest.
my 2013 which has more options ( $50,000+ MSRP) don't.

i guess Lexus needs to save some money somewhere.

That's just terrible. I see this part listed on ebay for nearly $500. Absurd.

That is right, I've seen that - but having that on the 2014/2015 brochures and internet and not offering that i just wrong or a big mistake that someone overlooked.

Im actually going to connect with someone at lexus about his.

***We can start a poll to see what numbers we can gather to make a case.

Had a chat with Lexus. Below is what I got from my conversation. Hopefully we can go from here:

**I had to remove some chat as there was personal info. VIN and names etc. but this is the gist of it...

Lexus: There can be a difference in the vehicles that are presented in a brochure and the vehicle that is produced. There is a disclaimer in the brochure that advises there may be some changes. It is also possible that in your region this option is not available.

Lexus: From what I can tell by our website. The wood trim panel on the rear fold down portion is for vehicles with ventilated rear seats. This vehicle does not show that option.

Lexus: Nevermind that last statement, they show the wood trim on two different pictures with two different descriptions. So I'm assuming they just used that picture for the option.

Lexus: The second vehicle does not show wood trim as an option. I can see where the confusion is. I would suggest contacting your selling dealer first. Ask if they have a part that would replace that piece of plastic. You can then contact us here at 800-255-3987 to have someone document and address the issue.

Lexus: Thank you for bringing this to our attention. Please enjoy your weekend.

Thanks for the info! When I spoke to my sales guy he noticed the difference as well after I pointed it out to him. He was also under the impression that the rear panel should be matching. I've asked him to look into this.

I just don't see why they would use this for the trims they advertise nor it to vary region by region. It all comes out of the same factory, I did see a vehicle at my dealer with the wood trim arm rest...this is why its a little confusing for me as well.

The wood trim on the rear center armrest/cupholder cover is part of the Luxury Package.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...spK7oxDqPHA4WA

^ the funny thing is, our 2011 RX with the wood rear panel has no Navigation nor Luxury package.
It has the darker brown wood that came with a light gray interior.

That's why we were surprised that it's absent on a loaded 2013 with the same color combination.
The wood now is ebony ( close to black).

Aha, that must explain why my 2010 RX450h has the wood.

Me too. 2015 comfort/ premium. Should be ebony, looks like Vinyl. I hadn't even noticed.

There we go...

Explains all, tricky adverts. Same images are also used with premium packaging.

I remember reading a few posts in the forum about Lexus dropping the wood piece on the rear arm rest. I think it started with the 2013 MY. I have it on my non-luxury '10 450h, but not on my steering wheel or gear shift :D

Makes me want to keep my 2010 RX! I hate the "wood" on the GS unless you buy the luxury package.

Yes, in 2013 the wood trim on the rear arm rest / cup holder was moved into the list of options included only in the luxury package of the RX450h. My 2013 RX450h has the luxury package and the trim is wood.

See page 7 of the official product specs.

I don't believe it's offered at all on the non-hybrid RX (also as of 2013 model year).

It is available on the RX350, in the Luxury Package, as in the RX450h.

http://pressroom.lexus.com/lexus/201...specs.download

That wood trim represents high cost to Lexus because they are handcrafted and hand finished at the factory. This used to be standard on the 2010-2012 models but it became part of the luxury package starting in 2013 purely for economic reasons.

It's one of those things that you don't appreciate while you have it, then they take it away and now you miss having it.
With my 2011, in 3 years, the rear arm rest came down 4-7 times ONLY.