With the newly released Lexus ES and Toyota Rav4, I notice that the software looks newer (i.e: it has a dedicated home screen) even though the screen hardware looks relatively the same. Do you think current gen RX will eventually get a software update and get a dedicated home screen?

 

From what I've read, the new Arene software will only be added to new vehicles going forward. Its so intertwined into the vehicle that its unavailable to just download into a previous model, but more new models will have it.

 

I guess it’s their way of saying, we got this generation system very wrong so we’re scrapping it already.

 

Toyota (Lexus) just doesn't pay any attention to updates in these cars, even simple fixes for our current issues never make it into a patch. And it's not just the software, I still have intermittent windshield wipers that stop working on their own, and I see no TSB for that. I am only keeping the RX another two years, until the warranty is up, then I am moving on from this brand - and this is the main reason. I don't mind there being problems, but fix some of these things. Summer weather here now so the "shift function problem" startup message is gone, but you can bet come December it will be back.

 

Yes, I'm generally happy with my car but the shift message in cold weather is truly annoying....I would much prefer they provide less info (and beeping and buzzing) and just get things right.

 

Well, you don't yet know if the new system is even worse - all we have seen is some publicity pictures.

Generally, Lexus as a company takes its customer-base for granted - and if you sample around this forum’s posters, they will keep buying Lexus/Toyota no matter what - and in some in their immediate family (sons/daughters etc) also keep staying in the Lexus/Toyota “family”. So that justifies the companies position of taking their customer-base as a given.

And the only threat that motivates Lexus/Toyota to do updates and fixes to already-released cars, seems to be financial penalties - like lawsuits and govt fines.

 

I used to be an Acura and Infiniti owner until last year. As a new Lexus owner, I was influenced by Consumer Reports and many other Car Mags because they keep recommending and boasting Lexus as the most reliable Japanese luxury car brand. Its "reputation" seems to run contra to the opinions expressed in this forum.

 

Not necessarily that fundamental reliability reputation has much to do with my personal opinion. Lexus is indeed consistently coming up tops for reliability - and I bought into the brand for that very reason. I used to own Infiniti and Audi in the past - Infiniti was great in reliability, Audi led me to Lexus for reliability (and swore me off Audi/VW for life) - especially given Lexus/Toyota's mastered PHEV powertrain/drivetrain expertise. So far not unhappy with the reliability aspect - just about how the brand is managed - by MBAs who are focused on milking its clientele rather than reward the clientele for choosing Lexus. With the software being discussed in this thread, they are barely keeping up - and not even trying to be the best. Its known as hubris

 

This is why Consumer Reports and many other Car Mags brag about lexus / toyota. This is my friends 2011 GX460, he is towing with this thing daily bases (for his business), 2 heavy(er) ladders mounted on the roof, and sometimes forgets to change the engine oil on time (I know), went 20.000km without changing the oil, and never uses premium gas, though it clearly says premium only. So yeah, lexus/toyota are in general reliable. I had 2020 highlander which was crap, sold it within a year, but had a 2007 Camry and had (almost) 0 issues in 8 years, only done oil changes.

 

remember that 99% of people posting online are doing it because they have problems.

not posting because they are problem free.

 

The term "reliability" can mean alot of things. Is the car "reliable" even though the intermittent windshield wipers don't work, or because the shifter gives an error message, or because the infotaintment lacks alot of functions and fixes to basic annoyances? Well sure, the car is still "reliable" as long as its running. To be honest, thinking back to every single car I ever bought, from many different manufacturers, they were all "reliable" during the period of time I owned them. That really doesn't mean much in today's world.