I've been looking at Gen 4's and i frequently find there are premium/excecutive models missing the HUD and ML radios. They seem to go hand in hand . When one is missing , invariably , so is the other. This seems to be in late model '20' to '22s. Is this because of the chip shortage that hit after covid got rolling? I've also noticed a lot of cars with 18"tires(YUK!) and i think this might be because of slow sales and they went to feed the rental market with lower content cars. Any insight is appreciated.
As an aside: how 'bad' is the regular audio system?

 

I do not have a definitive answer for you.

but, I recently purchased a Certified PreOwned 2020 RX 450h model that has the “premium” non-ML audio system (12 speakers, including factory subwoofer) and the system sounds amazing. I find ML to be mostly a marketing gimmick, although I’m not an audiophile to know for sure.

I don’t have the HUD either and this vehicle is also missing the convenient hatch sensor (kick / emblem) and fog lights. Weird, because it’s fully loaded with the panoramic view monitor and panoramic moonroof.

it was a lease before I bought it. Sometimes customers nickel and dime the last bit of add-ons to reduce the sticker price. That is my best guess.

gotta have the 20 inch wheels though ;-)

 

Yeah, the HUD and ML was missing from my premium ‘22 also but my wife has both on hers and I never really noticed the ML audio as being a standout. I don’t miss the ML at all because I’m very happy with the standard audio but the HUD would have been nice.

 

When I was shopping in early 2020 I noticed very few Premium trims included the HUD or ML sound. Both were much more common on Luxury and F Sport trims. My guess, and it is only a guess, is that dealers intentionally order some seemingly popular options only on higher trim lines hoping to upsell and increase their AUP.

 

In Canada ML and HUD both come only on top trim (f sport 3 or executive).

Executive package in Canada should have HUD and ML.

 

[QUOTE=

Executive package in Canada should have HUD and ML.[/QUOTE]
yes, you would think so but i can find many examples 'in the north' where that doesn't apply. I've seen paddle shift with no HUD or ML and called executive. Now, maybe they are not true execs but ....