Consumer Reports Attacks Lexus/Toyota Again
08-13-20, 09:09 AM
#16
I drove the 6th gen ES many times as a loaner and was not impressed at all. It was better than the 5th gen, but that was awful. The 7th gen is night and day better than the 6th. If some fool wants to go back to the 6th, and pay the cost to boot, good luck to them. I strongly doubt that there are more than a handful people in this category, if any.
Consumer Reports has been making the same complaint about all Lexus cars for the last decade. The infotainment system in the 6th gen is no better than the 7th and may even be worse.
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kalel2127 (08-13-20)
08-13-20, 10:29 AM
#17
Lead Lap
"I have heard people returning their latest Gen ES and going back to their older ES. They would rather take the financial hit then live in agony with the new model."
"For owners who are ditching the latest gen ES and going back to their old ES, that tells you something."
Hmmm. These posts tell me something too....
"For owners who are ditching the latest gen ES and going back to their old ES, that tells you something."
Hmmm. These posts tell me something too....
08-15-20, 02:36 AM
#18
I think that the mosts of the "reporters" out there repeat the very same mantra of previous ones. "Pretty good but have a CVT...", "Entertainment is bad, because is not as the one in BMW..).
After a year of daily use of my ES300h here at Spain, I'm perfectly confortable with the large screen and touchpad. And the riding, comfortability and MPG is impresive. Even the large car is not a problem in our streched streets. Yes, front sound is somewhat disapointing and sound strange when you come from a all doors speaker systems, but sound quality from driver seat is not bad at all, and in the pioneer this could be improved for sure, changing the rear doors speakers and the power amp. Is like listening a good stereo amp from your confortable coatch. Yes, image from rear camera is blurry, but is very usable too. And the menu systems could not be the best one, but you have a car to drive, not a computer.
On this year, I drove some other cars with "touch screen", and is really more dificult to operate when drive, and very much more dangerous. (Audi A6, Toyota RAV-4). You MUST stay seen the screen, and this one is not in the road vision line, and fingers go out screen buttons on every stone in road. Really very dangerous.
In germany, the Tesla Model S could be declared Illegal because the large touch screen does not comply with security rules (wipers on touch screen? Cool but Absurd!!.)
After a year of daily use of my ES300h here at Spain, I'm perfectly confortable with the large screen and touchpad. And the riding, comfortability and MPG is impresive. Even the large car is not a problem in our streched streets. Yes, front sound is somewhat disapointing and sound strange when you come from a all doors speaker systems, but sound quality from driver seat is not bad at all, and in the pioneer this could be improved for sure, changing the rear doors speakers and the power amp. Is like listening a good stereo amp from your confortable coatch. Yes, image from rear camera is blurry, but is very usable too. And the menu systems could not be the best one, but you have a car to drive, not a computer.
On this year, I drove some other cars with "touch screen", and is really more dificult to operate when drive, and very much more dangerous. (Audi A6, Toyota RAV-4). You MUST stay seen the screen, and this one is not in the road vision line, and fingers go out screen buttons on every stone in road. Really very dangerous.
In germany, the Tesla Model S could be declared Illegal because the large touch screen does not comply with security rules (wipers on touch screen? Cool but Absurd!!.)
08-15-20, 06:01 PM
#19
08-16-20, 02:14 PM
#20
but on the other hand, I have asked about the upgrade for the rear speaker problem, and they don't know anything about this. I've given them the PDF with the Low Rear Sound Bias from Toyota USA, but without result. I will need to call Toyota /Lexus Spain directly and put a complaint.
08-19-20, 10:56 AM
#21
Problems with the stock ES 350 stereo are legendary and have been so for going on 2 years now. Just search for the threads on here and most car discussion sites. Lexus' attitude has been to "get the upgraded stereo system" to avoid the problem and to give owners the run-around. Management failure to address such a widespread problem on a premium car was the principal reason I passed on Lexus in 2020. Lexus seems to be trying to rest on their laurels.
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BennoB66 (08-19-20)
08-19-20, 08:37 PM
#22
Problems with the stock ES 350 stereo are legendary and have been so for going on 2 years now. Just search for the threads on here and most car discussion sites. Lexus' attitude has been to "get the upgraded stereo system" to avoid the problem and to give owners the run-around. Management failure to address such a widespread problem on a premium car was the principal reason I passed on Lexus in 2020. Lexus seems to be trying to rest on their laurels.
Most default stock stereos aren't that great. If a stereo is that big of a priority for someone that it would eliminate buying the car then why wouldn't they just buy the car with the upgraded ML stereo? I read some of these peoples complaints about the stereo but I already knew I wanted to get the upgraded stereo regardless. I really don't think Lexus is "rest on their laurels" as you suggest. Overall this is an amazing car. Try to find a car the checks ALL of the boxes and is perfect especially for this kind of money. You will NEVER find the perfect car!
08-20-20, 10:53 AM
#23
08-22-20, 02:31 PM
#25
Problems with the stock ES 350 stereo are legendary and have been so for going on 2 years now. Just search for the threads on here and most car discussion sites. Lexus' attitude has been to "get the upgraded stereo system" to avoid the problem and to give owners the run-around. Management failure to address such a widespread problem on a premium car was the principal reason I passed on Lexus in 2020. Lexus seems to be trying to rest on their laurels.
08-22-20, 04:42 PM
#26
I'm glad to hear for the sake of the 2019 and 2020 ES 350 buyers that Lexus has finally done the right thing and corrected the problem. I know there was a lot of consumer frustration with Lexus over the issue and there were probably half a dozen threads here over it. This probably explains why the Consumer Reports owner reliability survey gave the ES a mediocre rating for 2019 models for In-Car Electronics.
Has the law suit against Lexus over the faulty stereo been dropped yet?
08-23-20, 08:09 AM
#27
Lexus Test Driver
Sorry, I wasn't aware that management had finally corrected the problem. I crossed Lexus off my buy list last October when the 2020s were arriving out without correction and the problem was still not being addressed after 2 years and owners were still being given the run around. IMHO, denying a problem and taking 2 years to correct it is a serious management failure, especially on a car line that holds itself out to be a premium brand.
I'm glad to hear for the sake of the 2019 and 2020 ES 350 buyers that Lexus has finally done the right thing and corrected the problem. I know there was a lot of consumer frustration with Lexus over the issue and there were probably half a dozen threads here over it. This probably explains why the Consumer Reports owner reliability survey gave the ES a mediocre rating for 2019 models for In-Car Electronics.
Has the law suit against Lexus over the faulty stereo been dropped yet?
I'm glad to hear for the sake of the 2019 and 2020 ES 350 buyers that Lexus has finally done the right thing and corrected the problem. I know there was a lot of consumer frustration with Lexus over the issue and there were probably half a dozen threads here over it. This probably explains why the Consumer Reports owner reliability survey gave the ES a mediocre rating for 2019 models for In-Car Electronics.
Has the law suit against Lexus over the faulty stereo been dropped yet?
08-23-20, 08:49 AM
#28
The best policy to largely achieving that goal is to never buy the first year of a newly released car design. Yes, even Lexus can fail; however their attitude that the consumer is wrong for complaining is a big disappointment and starting to tarnish the brand.
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bc6152 (08-23-20)
08-23-20, 11:35 AM
#29
Lexus Test Driver
Agreed on the first year redesigned model but in this case, I had no concerns purchasing the 19 when it was introduced. Read other forums - there not a single mfr/model that doesnt come with consumer complaints. NONE. At the end of the day, test drive and buy what you enjoy - later on when it needs repairs, it wont hurt as much if you're still enjoying it!
08-24-20, 09:56 AM
#30
