TechNut

The CVT in the 300h solves the transmission issues and I don’t feel the seat extender rails. I have heard some people claim it bothers them but I just don’t feel it. Perhaps you need more padding... My 160 lb frame seems to provide me with plenty

mikemu30

Definitely no way to get a good match with touch up - My wife's RX has a small stone chip - I bought the three stage kit but not much luck getting a clean finish.

1stTimeLex

I agree... I drive in Sport mode most of the time and will only tap the 'normal' mode on the highway. In sport mode I don't notice the harsh downshift nor does the transmission 'hunt' for the right gear on modest inclines.

DiamondES

I do not drive aggressively at all, i have noticed the transmission is not too happy when you mash the pedal that is true, however i find it silky smooth when I ease into and let the power build gradually. I personally do not like the Sport mode , i like Normal in the city and ECO while cruising on the highway. I have a 70 mile round trip commute everyday, and i just put on the cruise control around 70-73mph and let the car basically drive itself with the incredible systems by Lexus. I feel this is when the car is the most happiest , going in a straight line on the highway. So when i drive it in that manner , the transmission is very happy.

I think rock chips are inevitable unless you have an expensive ceramic coating, but im going to try to not nit pick at the tiny specs that i can only see while washing my car. Easier said then done though, crossing fingers i do not experience anything in the near future and more towards the end of my term.

kalel2127

I drive 90% of the time on ECO and have only felt hard shifts a few times. All of which was in the morning when the vehicle was cold. After driving a vehicle with a cvt transmission for 3 years I wasn't expecting an increase in performance from Lexus. Overall I'm very pleased with all aspects of the vehicle. If you're driving this vehicle aggressively then you're doing it wrong, ask the hybrids owners for some tips

SW17LS

Congrats!

If you worry about chips I would definitely recommend a clear bra for the front. Ceramic coatings don't do anything to protect against rock chips.

DiamondES

Hey i was washing my car today and noticed that my front bumper has a clear bra on it already. Do not see anything in the options (window sticker) that mentions a clear bra. I do have the "Door Edge Film" option, maybe the clear bra is part of that option ? It being a $90 option i doubt the clear bra is part of this option but thank you Lexus for installing the bra, saved me some money

lesz

Lexus offers a paint protection film package for about $500, but it only covers the front portion of the hood and the front portions of the front feathers, and that doesn't really offer much protection. Good protection coverage would involve the full hood, full front bumper, full front fenders, mirrors, and possibly other areas, including, perhaps, the A pillars, the door handle cups, and the leading edge of the roof. Depending on who has done the work, what product is being used, and your ability to negotiate a discount, such a complete package is likely to cost anywhere from around $800 to as much as $2500.

Still, as others have said, if you want protection against stone nicks, paint protection film is the way to go. A ceramic coating will not offer protection against stone nicks.

User 41924

We took ours on an 800 mile vacation trip a week or 2 ago, and I feel the same way! Awesome car! 9 hours the first day (a couple of sightseeing stops), and I wasn't even tired when we arrived. We had a 2010 RX 350, that I thought was the best road trip car I've ever driven. Our 2013 RX 450 is better, and the ES is best of them all!

I've noticed the issue with weird shifts with slightly aggressive driving, but they aren't nearly as bad as my '16 NX 200t and I'm adjusting my expectations. I've not tried using sport mode as a possible solution, but I will. It's just that it's a pain having to change it to sport every time I drive.

mikemu30

One twist is really a pain? I do it by habit everybtime I hit START.

kalel2127

Can't you also just move the shifter to the left?

mikemu30

You mean manual mode - I dont believe that changes from normal to sport.

DiamondES

I think the Sport mode is only for show , because if they designed the ES with just Normal and ECO mode , all the youtubers and reviewers would go nuts. Ive been in Sport mode few times and i didn't like it at all. The ES is far from being a sports car, so if you drive it as it was designed to be driven , the transmission and drivetrain are very happy. But you cannot drive the ES like a M3 and say the transmission is jerky or is no good. Honestly, they shouldn't have even put any paddle shifters on the ES.

When you put the shifter in manual mode, S1 S2 S3 etc... is how the gears are displayed but i do not think you are fully in Sports mode because the tachometer does not change to red display.

SW17LS

The sport mode makes the transmission shift a little quicker in the ES, if you have an F Sport with the AVS suspension it will firm the suspension dampers up.

mikemu30

I assure you its no t for show.
Sport mode is quite noticable - nothing to do with imitating an MBMW but it changes the shift points and makes the drive much more pleasant IMO. Change to sport on the fly and you cant miss the difference.