Buy a 2019 Lexus ES Now or Wait for 2020?

Changes to the 2020 Lexus ES are likely to be minimal, and the 2019 could save you some money. So, which do you go for?

The seventh generation of the Lexus ES was introduced for the 2019 model year, so we shouldn’t expect any groundbreaking changes for 2020. However, there are likely to be some small changes which could include Android Auto integration, leading some prospective ES buyers to wonder whether they should buy a 2019 model or wait for the new model year. One of those people is “DavidZ,” who asked the community whether the changes coming for 2020 were worth the wait, or if he should just buy a 2019.

Lexus ES: 2019 or 2020

When the OP first posted his question to the seventh generation ES section, he was looking for information on the 2020 models in general, along with the advantages of Android Auto.

I’m shopping for a 2019 ES with Nav, ML, etc. Should I wait for the 2020 ES? What new features might it have?

Specifically, I’m guessing that the 2020 might have Android Auto. Would Android Auto be something worth waiting for? Based on my Google searches, Alexa can do a lot of things including entering navigation destination data while driving. Would Android Auto add enough to make it worth the wait?

The first person to reply was “mikemu30”, who didn’t exactly answer the OP’s questions, but he still made an excellent point.

That’s a question only you can answer. Deals on the 19s will get pretty attractive as the 20s roll into the showrooms.

While “bc6152” elaborated on what could change for the new model year.

I don’t see many changes occurring for 2020. Android auto may be one of them but really not important to me and neither is Alexa… Certainly not worth waiting for in my opinion.

Probably minor to no body changes, maybe wheels, interior colors, etc. Lexus might correct some of the features that members on here complain about such as the Mark Levinson audio… One thing that will most definitely change is the price going north… Mike is right; wait until September/October and you’ll probably save some money.

Android Auto Focus

Next, the OP dug deeper into the advantages of Android Auto, and whether it could be retrofit to the 2019 models.

I’m not in a hurry. I can wait until next summer. I’m content with my 2004 ES. I keep cars a long time and want to be sure I get the right one.

My question primarily relates to the potential for Android Auto. Specifically:

1. What functionality will Android Auto add to the ES that it doesn’t already have now, and

2. If Lexus implements Android Auto for the 2020 ES, will the 2019 ES be upgradable to add Android Auto?

To which “bc6152” offered a great deal of information.

From articles I’ve been reading about upcoming changes to all Lexus cars, it seems that the RX will be a definite Android recipient as well as the LX and the Avalon. I just read this yesterday. As far as the ES it’s anyone’s guess as the corporate line is still “sometime in the near future”… Why Lexus would delay installing AA in their highest sales vehicle boggles the mind… As far as functionality, if that feature is very important to you then wait. Lexus is not big on retrofitting their cars for new features so don’t count on a 2019 getting AA. I use an Android phone but only to make and take calls in the car. Nothing else… Another footnote in the article was that fully 80% of Lexus owners use Apple phones vs. Android and the cars already have Apple Car Play. So Android users lose out.

“TechNut” expressed a similar option as well.

Agree with the sentiments expressed with others here. As an iPhone user, I have explored Apple CarPlay and I feel a bit underwhelmed. I think it will especially benefit those that use Waze and wish to display it on the dash. Basically, it looks to me like it merely displays the phone screen on the dash, so any app such as nav or music will come off the phone. The downside is that it requires a cable. I don’t drive many miles on a daily basis any more (>12 miles), but I don’t see me using it much except for road trips – but just for music/audible.

My point is simply that I would expect Android Auto to perform much like CarPlay. I would think it will mostly just mirror your screen and play the audio from your device. I am only two weeks in on our new car and still have much to learn. Perhaps others more experienced with CarPlay can offer more insight or correct me if I’m misunderstanding this new feature.

Followed by “mikeme30”, who offered the basic rundown of what Android Auto really does.

AA will allow you to project your Android phone on the info display same as Carplay allows an iPhone to do the same. End of story.

That seemingly sealed the deal for the OP.

Thanks. If that’s all there is, then it doesn’t seem like a good reason to wait for the 2020.

If you have input on the 2020 Lexus ES or Android Auto functionality, click here to head into the forum and share your insight with the community.

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Patrick Rall

"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.

"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.

"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.

"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.

"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

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