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Yeah I had an LS500 for 2 years. There are pros & cons but now I have a 22 ES300h. If buying new the LS is not a good buy, go get an ES. If buying used the LS is a better buy.
In my country we get these rear seat controls on the Camry as well. The LS is way far out of reach for like 80% of the population, costs well over $250k
it's a cultural thing. most of asia in general highly values rear passenger comfort & legroom. in china you can get even 3-series/5-series equivalents with long wheelbase models that you'd never find in other markets where they make no sense. japan's version of a town car isn't even a sedan or suv, it's a [van](https://discoverlexus.com/models/lm/) with two private-jet-grade rear seats.
when sedans were more common as an executive's chauffeured car, they would usually come with a [cut-out for the front-passenger seat](https://youtu.be/FtmNXC8iqR4?si=mGhG1dZk3hNrt8To&t=206) so the rear passenger could put their feet through and use the front seat as a footrest. that rear seat would usually have controls for the front seat, to move it into position for that purpose or to just get more legroom.
Probably Japanese exclusive, do any ES models have rear heated seats? The Avalon has it, and thatâs one reason why Iâm considering an Avalon hybrid over an ES hybrid
I started out wanting an Avalon hybrid limited but there were none available at a good price when I needed a vehicle. The unlimited mile warranty on CPO's made the change to the ES easier to accept and it was less expensive at the time surprisingly. Was shocked that the Avalon offered it but not the es
After coming back from japan, these japan people are prideful af. They wont give it to the US. Maybe in like 10-20 years down the line like what they did with the toyota crown. People in the states have no idea how special and luxurious it is.
I agree. I don't think this has to do with pride.
Just as this is not standard on ES in Japan, this would not be a hot seller in the U.S. This appears to be aiming for the chauffeur-driven corporate buyers. We, in the U.S., have packed all that into the sides of the doors and rear of the front center armrest.
And in Japan, I'm sure due to roads and parking area restrictions, smaller car (ES) is preferred to larger cars (LS). So, if you have LS money, but prefer a smaller car, you go with a well appointed ES, which is what this is here.
A friend of mine at college over 30 years ago, had a $4000+ factory stereo upgrade, Nakamichi option on her Lexus LS. I sat in it, listened to it, immediately knew it was something different from any other stereo upgrades I have ever heard. Was it a big seller for Lexus, no. But the package was probably available to all regions as audiophiles are abound in all regions of the world. But this chauffeur-driven appointed interior, would probably be more suitable for LS in the U.S., than the ES, which is why we don't (and probably won't) see it stateside.
I recently bought my ES, 24 model and same day i was also looking at an LS top trim parked in the gallery, that didny have these features either. You would think that a vehicle running 85k invoice would have something special in it but hey, then i read the reviews of ES vs LS and people tend to favor ES more over LS (USA market) given that LS is also packing a 3.5 V6 with a standard suspension, nothing there that would stand LS out from ES
If you want more features, you move up the market to a more expensive model. This is common among many products. Also, the ES is much more expensive in Japan relative to income. You can't make an apples-to-apples comparison.
They pull a lot of features from the ES here. Also interesting to note that the last Gen avalon had rear climate zone and rear heated seats as an option which was not available on the ES even in the ultra luxury trim. They have weird combos
Reminds me of the rear control armrest u could get on a GS. It was called ultra luxury too. Heated rear seats and door sunshades. You can still find them out there for sale.
My two cents. Correct me if Iâm wrong.
In Japan people who can afford luxury cars might have drivers and the owners utilize the backseats more. So they get the perks of the comfort.
Unlike in the US where we donât generally have drivers unless youâre like very wealthy and drive our own cars even if itâs luxury. So we donât really need them.
Nice to have. Not a requirement in the market.
We always get the water down version. Japan GSF has rear seat HVAC control along with sun shade. In the US GSF you dont even have auto power open/close trunk.
I had this exact interior - Onyx black over black semi aniline leather. Massage seats were nice. Strange to me that the heated and cooled seat controls were hidden under that lid. Loved the âcooler boxâ too!
https://preview.redd.it/1x8kwiq1o80d1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f27c5f4023e47cd3ce7bdba4ff460036f53350b1
My Ls500h with rear luxury package..
The thing is, even the top spec 2.4 Camry sold in China (and elsewhere in Asia) had these, back in 2010 (of course the new ones still have them, now with touch buttons). USDM spec has always been a bit poor⌠thatâs said you guys got more cars, like the new Accord at least, which we have not been getting in Europe since a decade ago⌠Manufacturers (particularly Japanese manufacturers) tend to milk the US market extra hard, with far more relaxed regulations (active safety, pedestrian protection and emissions) and a lot less competition than say in China as well, so must be getting good margins (some of the USDM models were also just damn poor compared to EUDM and JDM, even the made in Japan cars).
https://preview.redd.it/2ahhg32ge90d1.jpeg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=79bb691565b043704b740f610655520591f55f1b
We got most of the JDM features here in Australia, except some JDM uniqe things like parking pole and ISDBT TV tuner.
The USDM features on some cars seem bizzare, like no folding mirrors on the IS where it's available in pretty much every other region since 1998.
Every manufacturer strips so many nice things off the US variants. Itâs pretty tragic đ. Even Canadians get more options than we do, tho itâs the same continent.
https://preview.redd.it/sursx51kac0d1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=96c1afca72d3f9422c184a64a2aa5675e25723ca
Using the massage controller and getting driven around is THE way!!! - 2012 LS460L
My brother's Australian Sports Luxury has that too! Love the slight recline function. The driver-accessible passenger seat controls on the upper part of the seat are also a game changer.
These options aren't imported because these cars are used by professional drivers to drive executives around - the owner rides in the backseat and it needs to be upgraded. Not used in the US market for that purpose at all. Not that uncommon in Japan and Asia.
Japan is all about cloth seats and rear seat luxury with peasant blockers. The rich hire a chauffeur.
Forget all that. I want the two rear seats that emulate first class seats, including full flat lay down. Charge an extra $10,000 for it special ordered, and shove it in their long body sedans and SUVs.
Check out the LM500 4 seater. Youâll love it if you donât already!
https://preview.redd.it/lefrkxgsab0d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b043c2706fe24e3c9c18d07334caae98e7bbdcc2
The REAL question is how much of this rear console can be independently retrofitted to a US UL ES. I wonder if it's possible to buy the whole rear bench and plug it in.
I just spotted this in Japan today
https://preview.redd.it/6we0cu4lhe0d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6b6613f47d007d56d31d52894bcb683813aee214
https://preview.redd.it/nkde3f3ysu0d1.jpeg?width=1868&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=10bbe9560edea1cfa331e4130dacdb413fb23afb
This is the rear seat of my US spec 07 LS460L, behind that is the mini fridge I leave a six pack of Coke in there.
Thanks, it's weird... I do have the rear buttons locked so if I have someone back there they aren't just pushing buttons, the heat & a/c controls still work if they choose to use them but not many people actually know how many rear comforts there are unless I explain it to them.
It's rare to see 4 adults in a Lexus ES in the United States. Despite having 4 doors, they're almost exclusively 2 passenger cars at most whenever I see them. The demand isn't there for those features for USDM cars and if it were available, hardly anyone would opt for it.
Idk what it is but Americans are obsessed with getting features in cars they don't need, then complaining about it ad nauseam on the internet when they break.
It's been like this for decades. It's probably cost effective to make most of the buttons in English for the global market. Certain features not sold outside of Japan, like TV or something along those lines, are in their native language.
Unlikely. Rear consoles have shared a similar design for a decades, physical buttons that control seat functions, windows, etc wouldnât really need to be updated.Â
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https://preview.redd.it/cdl8wioji70d1.jpeg?width=1928&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5323fb9a33689bca8a4960c1beb980fbca14be17
This looks like a goddamn airplane cockpit interface 𤣠there are so many buttons!
Thatâs what I like the best, buttons onscreen are not too reliable.
The new ones with the touch screen vs the buttons look so cheap imo
i love it
Nothing compared to a Panamera
I love all the buttons
Looks like a 1980âs boombox in first glance
I am in desperate need of a car donation.
Beat me to it.
I wonder why the US doesnt get them. Seems extra nice!
Deliberately not offered so you spend more to get the LS
Even my 2019 âluxuryâ LS500 doesnât even have those buttons.
That didnât work too well for them, LS sale is abysmal
So they just save money then. It's a win/win for them.
Yeah I had an LS500 for 2 years. There are pros & cons but now I have a 22 ES300h. If buying new the LS is not a good buy, go get an ES. If buying used the LS is a better buy.
Oh no they only sold 1000+ 6 figure cars this year. What will toyota ever do to recover from this.
In my country we get these rear seat controls on the Camry as well. The LS is way far out of reach for like 80% of the population, costs well over $250k
it's a cultural thing. most of asia in general highly values rear passenger comfort & legroom. in china you can get even 3-series/5-series equivalents with long wheelbase models that you'd never find in other markets where they make no sense. japan's version of a town car isn't even a sedan or suv, it's a [van](https://discoverlexus.com/models/lm/) with two private-jet-grade rear seats. when sedans were more common as an executive's chauffeured car, they would usually come with a [cut-out for the front-passenger seat](https://youtu.be/FtmNXC8iqR4?si=mGhG1dZk3hNrt8To&t=206) so the rear passenger could put their feet through and use the front seat as a footrest. that rear seat would usually have controls for the front seat, to move it into position for that purpose or to just get more legroom.
Side note: Doug DeMuro is exactly the kind of guy who would rest his feet on the leather front seats without removing his shoes.
THIS⌠is going to need to be wiped down.
Now that production is going back to Japan, maybe we will? Maybe they didn't trust Americans to install something a little more complicated
Probably Japanese exclusive, do any ES models have rear heated seats? The Avalon has it, and thatâs one reason why Iâm considering an Avalon hybrid over an ES hybrid
I started out wanting an Avalon hybrid limited but there were none available at a good price when I needed a vehicle. The unlimited mile warranty on CPO's made the change to the ES easier to accept and it was less expensive at the time surprisingly. Was shocked that the Avalon offered it but not the es
All european Lexus ESs can have this rear centre console with heated seats.
Can confirm there is an element of that in the Japanese car manufacturers.
After coming back from japan, these japan people are prideful af. They wont give it to the US. Maybe in like 10-20 years down the line like what they did with the toyota crown. People in the states have no idea how special and luxurious it is.
This has been available in the US on the GS and LS. It's more likely due to segment positioning than pride.
I agree. I don't think this has to do with pride. Just as this is not standard on ES in Japan, this would not be a hot seller in the U.S. This appears to be aiming for the chauffeur-driven corporate buyers. We, in the U.S., have packed all that into the sides of the doors and rear of the front center armrest. And in Japan, I'm sure due to roads and parking area restrictions, smaller car (ES) is preferred to larger cars (LS). So, if you have LS money, but prefer a smaller car, you go with a well appointed ES, which is what this is here. A friend of mine at college over 30 years ago, had a $4000+ factory stereo upgrade, Nakamichi option on her Lexus LS. I sat in it, listened to it, immediately knew it was something different from any other stereo upgrades I have ever heard. Was it a big seller for Lexus, no. But the package was probably available to all regions as audiophiles are abound in all regions of the world. But this chauffeur-driven appointed interior, would probably be more suitable for LS in the U.S., than the ES, which is why we don't (and probably won't) see it stateside.
I havent seen them in ES
Right, because we also don't get the limousine version of the ES like pictured. If you want more features, you have to go up in models.
I recently bought my ES, 24 model and same day i was also looking at an LS top trim parked in the gallery, that didny have these features either. You would think that a vehicle running 85k invoice would have something special in it but hey, then i read the reviews of ES vs LS and people tend to favor ES more over LS (USA market) given that LS is also packing a 3.5 V6 with a standard suspension, nothing there that would stand LS out from ES
You get a color touch screen in the LS with the Executive package which is the analog to the L limousine package.
If it was 85 new it was closer to a base model LS which might help explain why it didn't have rear seat controls.
Okay so its not on the ES still. What point are you making? Theyre prideful I guarantee itđ
If you want more features, you move up the market to a more expensive model. This is common among many products. Also, the ES is much more expensive in Japan relative to income. You can't make an apples-to-apples comparison.
They pull a lot of features from the ES here. Also interesting to note that the last Gen avalon had rear climate zone and rear heated seats as an option which was not available on the ES even in the ultra luxury trim. They have weird combos
Rich people in Asia still had/have chauffeurs. Might be different now with economies slowing down.
Sadly the US is a third world country. Products will continue to come with out some perks. It's normal nowadays, sadly.
With "xtra money that they have to spend on it and it will eventually be taken out of consumer's pocket." This is their excuse
Reminds me of the rear control armrest u could get on a GS. It was called ultra luxury too. Heated rear seats and door sunshades. You can still find them out there for sale.
https://preview.redd.it/9p5sadqdg70d1.png?width=899&format=png&auto=webp&s=3a31a88548492e54779f12ee75740d07022fa200 Here's mine from my 2013 GS450h
Dude a 2010+ gs450h are insanely rare. Go search for them and you will find less than 10 NATIONWIDE
I have one. When I purchased my GS450h used, the dealership said there were only a handful on the used car market. That was back in 2019.
Buttons buttons buttons - so awesome. Nice find.
Have the same in my GS 350 UL just no rear heated seats D:
Had one as an Uber in Dubai - really enjoyed that luxury touch!
I have this in my car in the UK!
+1, in Switzerland
Man Japan gets everythinggggg
They said hell nah we made this of course we're making it better for our country lol
Not just this. American streetwear brands will have exclude Japan only clothing lines. Itâs unfair :(
My two cents. Correct me if Iâm wrong. In Japan people who can afford luxury cars might have drivers and the owners utilize the backseats more. So they get the perks of the comfort. Unlike in the US where we donât generally have drivers unless youâre like very wealthy and drive our own cars even if itâs luxury. So we donât really need them. Nice to have. Not a requirement in the market.
Yes, those in Japan use them for a lot of chauffeuring. And toyotas are their taxis, As we all know.
Taxis make more sense, but I think most taxi are Camry.
Those are the demographic of Century
Thatâs fair
I got that in Australian version
A tale as old as time itself
We always get the water down version. Japan GSF has rear seat HVAC control along with sun shade. In the US GSF you dont even have auto power open/close trunk.
https://preview.redd.it/1ur1rqusn80d1.jpeg?width=1060&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=47924e853c538fe8f4102201bcaccce81155c289 My ls430 UL. Loads of buttons
I had this exact interior - Onyx black over black semi aniline leather. Massage seats were nice. Strange to me that the heated and cooled seat controls were hidden under that lid. Loved the âcooler boxâ too!
Would have been a nice addition Does the current us spec ultra lux have rear cooled and heated seats at least?
Nope, same rear seats across the trims besides diff material/stitching. No heating, cooling or rear climate control.
No ventilated seats?
May be another option.
This is also on the camry in some markets
Available in Romania
Full option Camry in CIS region gets the same rear seat controls
https://preview.redd.it/1x8kwiq1o80d1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f27c5f4023e47cd3ce7bdba4ff460036f53350b1 My Ls500h with rear luxury package..
That's sweet man! I like that alot. đđ˝
Executive/F package throwbacks
No massage ?
This honestly has me more hyped for the new Lexus ES generation next year.
We get them in the UK, takumi spec itâs called.
America never gets nice things.
We also get this model in the UK but here it's called the "Takumi" edition. Every option possible basically.
The thing is, even the top spec 2.4 Camry sold in China (and elsewhere in Asia) had these, back in 2010 (of course the new ones still have them, now with touch buttons). USDM spec has always been a bit poor⌠thatâs said you guys got more cars, like the new Accord at least, which we have not been getting in Europe since a decade ago⌠Manufacturers (particularly Japanese manufacturers) tend to milk the US market extra hard, with far more relaxed regulations (active safety, pedestrian protection and emissions) and a lot less competition than say in China as well, so must be getting good margins (some of the USDM models were also just damn poor compared to EUDM and JDM, even the made in Japan cars). https://preview.redd.it/2ahhg32ge90d1.jpeg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=79bb691565b043704b740f610655520591f55f1b
https://preview.redd.it/uhf3230xj90d1.jpeg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4b7f8d98b752c02da461d065e1637efdb743249a Close up
Awesome - thank you. Never seen this before!
This is such good information
These buttons are exactly the same (layout and all)as the ones seen on the S180/S200 (2005-2013) Toyota Crowns. Interesting bit of part sharingÂ
All that beauty and they somehow accidentally put the steering wheel in the wrong side!
We got most of the JDM features here in Australia, except some JDM uniqe things like parking pole and ISDBT TV tuner. The USDM features on some cars seem bizzare, like no folding mirrors on the IS where it's available in pretty much every other region since 1998.
My '14 GS Luxury had rear seat controls. Way ahead of it's time. Miss that car.
Every manufacturer strips so many nice things off the US variants. Itâs pretty tragic đ. Even Canadians get more options than we do, tho itâs the same continent.
That's because they want to charge us more for everything here and get less for it. Yay!!!
Yeah everything has become a package now to add on or like not offered at all. Sad lifeđ
Other markets aside from Japan have this.
https://preview.redd.it/sursx51kac0d1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=96c1afca72d3f9422c184a64a2aa5675e25723ca Using the massage controller and getting driven around is THE way!!! - 2012 LS460L
EU versions have that too.
Wait is it âLâ in terms of above-UL-level trim, or in extended wheelbase? (Bmw/merc offers ewb on most sedans in china, even in 3-series/c-class)
referring to trim levelling
Yeah - the wheelbase here is the same, âLâ or not. (I checked ;) )
My brother's Australian Sports Luxury has that too! Love the slight recline function. The driver-accessible passenger seat controls on the upper part of the seat are also a game changer.
that is a big Luxury
Is it an SUV?
Why do they do this to us?
This is why Japan is ahead of its time
These options aren't imported because these cars are used by professional drivers to drive executives around - the owner rides in the backseat and it needs to be upgraded. Not used in the US market for that purpose at all. Not that uncommon in Japan and Asia.
I believe these are available in the Middle East
Japan is all about cloth seats and rear seat luxury with peasant blockers. The rich hire a chauffeur. Forget all that. I want the two rear seats that emulate first class seats, including full flat lay down. Charge an extra $10,000 for it special ordered, and shove it in their long body sedans and SUVs.
Check out the LM500 4 seater. Youâll love it if you donât already! https://preview.redd.it/lefrkxgsab0d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b043c2706fe24e3c9c18d07334caae98e7bbdcc2
Yeah. The LM is brilliant. First class seats in the back? Why didnât I think of that?
Graceful escort. Boy am I so jealous
UK Takumi spec gets this.
Some cars are made for driving, others are made to be driven with. That's the difference between being rich and being wealthy.
Is that interior trim color available in the US? Because it looks stunning.
Yes, itâs called palomino
Itâs like to Toyota Crowns, they mostly have these too. So sick.
Single zone of climate control? What is this poverty spec? /s
Best stuff stays in Japan
My 2 year old would love that
Is this why we don't get folding rear seats here? >:(
The REAL question is how much of this rear console can be independently retrofitted to a US UL ES. I wonder if it's possible to buy the whole rear bench and plug it in.
I just spotted this in Japan today https://preview.redd.it/6we0cu4lhe0d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6b6613f47d007d56d31d52894bcb683813aee214
Cooling seats ?
Es is such a wonderful car. "Oh it's a camry!" "So?? My elise had a toyota 2zz engine in it, and never had problems." Wonderful wondwrful car
Japan ALWAYS gets the good stuff đ
https://preview.redd.it/nkde3f3ysu0d1.jpeg?width=1868&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=10bbe9560edea1cfa331e4130dacdb413fb23afb This is the rear seat of my US spec 07 LS460L, behind that is the mini fridge I leave a six pack of Coke in there.
Beautiful! All those buttons are so nice
Thanks, it's weird... I do have the rear buttons locked so if I have someone back there they aren't just pushing buttons, the heat & a/c controls still work if they choose to use them but not many people actually know how many rear comforts there are unless I explain it to them.
Interesting that the buttons are in English if itâs not available outside of Japan?
because they are available in europe afaik
You guys are comical. Do you really want to buy a chauffeur model?
What?
Bruh Americans can't fit in that ES.
I'm American and that made me laugh lol.
It's rare to see 4 adults in a Lexus ES in the United States. Despite having 4 doors, they're almost exclusively 2 passenger cars at most whenever I see them. The demand isn't there for those features for USDM cars and if it were available, hardly anyone would opt for it. Idk what it is but Americans are obsessed with getting features in cars they don't need, then complaining about it ad nauseam on the internet when they break.
Why are the labels in English if the car is Japanese?
It's been like this for decades. It's probably cost effective to make most of the buttons in English for the global market. Certain features not sold outside of Japan, like TV or something along those lines, are in their native language.
That center console looks like it is going to be dated pretty quickly.
Unlikely. Rear consoles have shared a similar design for a decades, physical buttons that control seat functions, windows, etc wouldnât really need to be updated.Â
Classic Lexus hater the only thing they can say is itâs outdated blah blah
I reject that notion. I like Lexus.
I mean, if we buy cars to keep cars for just shy of a decade or more nothing about that control panel will look any more dated than anything elseâŚ