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I'm looking for a 6th gen (coming from a 5th gen that was great). I've tried to research the changes to the 6th Gen in those five years. I've looked on Wiki and what not but have not seen much except for maybe a facelift and "new" screen in 2015. I'd like to know what options packages there were, what year was best and any good features to look for. Thanks in advance.
Last edited by rickster9; 07-26-22 at 08:59 PM.
Reason: better
I don't know the exact features that were added over the term of the 6th. gen cars but would advise you to look for the latest MY to buy. By the end of this generation of Lexus cars numerous safety features were added such as BSM, rear cross traffic alert, front ped notification, etc. I can state from experience how valuable these features are. So that being said, I would go for a 2017 or 2018 MY. I wanted the redesigned model so bought a gen 7 2019 ES with every safety feature available. The rear cross alert has saved my butt several times due to idiots walking behind the car while my car was in motion backing out. GOOD LUCK!
When I was shopping for my ES 350 I wanted Mark Levinson audio, heated steering wheel, power rear window shade, glass roof and all these safety things. In 2015 ES350 went through restyling and in 2017 it received newer 9th generation nav system, which is mostly the same but it has improved voice recognition (I believe). I don't care about talking to my car so I went for 2016 ES 350 Ultra Luxury. It is post 2015 restyle, has all the bells and whistles I ever wanted and I found it with very low mileage. The only thing I am missing is the acoustic layered windows for quieter ride, but I think it is an option that is not really a matter of a production year. Like that ambient lighting, you may or may not have it.
It’s my understanding that the 2018 is the only 6th gen year that will still have the Safety Connect and other services after this October when 3G wireless is retired.
It’s my understanding that the 2018 is the only 6th gen year that will still have the Safety Connect and other services after this October when 3G wireless is retired.
I believe my local Lexus dealer told me that everything from mid 2017 and up has 4G telematics and will work. 2018 model year sounds about right.
When I was shopping for my ES 350 I wanted Mark Levinson audio, heated steering wheel, power rear window shade, glass roof and all these safety things. In 2015 ES350 went through restyling and in 2017 it received newer 9th generation nav system, which is mostly the same but it has improved voice recognition (I believe). I don't care about talking to my car so I went for 2016 ES 350 Ultra Luxury. It is post 2015 restyle, has all the bells and whistles I ever wanted and I found it with very low mileage. The only thing I am missing is the acoustic layered windows for quieter ride, but I think it is an option that is not really a matter of a production year. Like that ambient lighting, you may or may not have it.
Thanks, Is Levinson audio always part of the luxury package?
Also, looking at the 300H (hard to come by with high gas prices) but see the battery warranty is 10 years so it would have to be a later year.
Thanks, Is Levinson audio always part of the luxury package?...
I think it was possible to order Mark Levinson audio as a separate option but I personally haven't seen any ES350s with ML audio and without Ultra Luxury package, which you can see by the glass roof. You can also check for the Mark Levinson logo on the radio head unit (below the hazard lights button), second small speaker in the rear doors by the door handle and it only comes with navigation, which means you going to have this joystick thing on the center console. See this brochure for more details https://www.lexus.com/content/dam/le...d-Brochure.pdf.
13-14 ES350 U/L was best built. I owned the 13 U/L and have driven every ES year as a Loaner from the Lexus Dealers all the way to 2022, and the ES300h too. The ES350 U/L has everything.