losiglow

Hello 7th gen folks. I'm looking to move up from my 2017 to a 2021 or 2022 soon. I'm confused on the seat fabric options. It's pretty clear that the base model comes with NuLuxe. And it's also clear that the UL comes with the semi-aniline. However, the "regular" luxury package is somewhat ambiguous. And I've heard several different things from salespeople. Some have said that the luxury and ultra-luxury packages have semi-aniline leather. Some have said that the luxury can come with "standard" leather or semi-aniline.

Is there even a "standard" leather option? If so, how can you tell which leather the car has?

ESh

Standard:

Perforated NuLuxe interior trim;


Luxury:

Perforated Leather interior trim;


UL:

Perforated semi-aniline leather interior trim


There’s no visual difference between Leather and semi-aniline leather.



If you see plain seats without the stitching all over the place than you are looking at a standard version. If you see these stitchings all over the seat then you are looking at Luxury or UL. If there are rear door blinders than the car is UL.


Standard, no stitchings




UL:

grp52

That’s no longer correct. Luxury interior trim has changed (IIRC, as of 2022 model year) to be the same as Ultra Luxury trim; i.e.,:

Perforated semi-aniline leather interior trim

bc6152

I have the UL semi aniline leather (whatever that is) and my daughter has an NX with Nuluxe. If I had a choice I would go with the Nuluxe as it maintains its texture and wears very well as opposed to either the "regular" leather or the semi aniline. I've had both in two Lexus cars... Unfortunately one cannot get Nuluxe in a Lux or UL car.

RKF350

My 2016 and 2017 ES luxury had leather. My 2022 ES luxury has semi-aniline leather. I can tell the difference.

My wife’s 2014 IS had Nuluxe and her new 2022 NX had Nuluxe.

Most cannot tell a difference. Her IS never had a wrinkles or wear. Looked like new after 8 years.

losiglow

All "regular" 2022 luxury trims I've looked at online have these types of seats - with the stitching.

losiglow

This is what two different dealers have told me. But I don't trust what salespeople tell me at face value. Not because they're trying to deceive, but because they don't know the cars as well as the average person thinks they do.

I'm starting to think this is the case though. Based on everything else I'm reading.

I think I'll look up the seat PN's on an OEM parts website and see what that yields.

ATL350

Semi-aniline leather is a better grade than “regular” leather found on lower end models. (Not all leather is of the same quality, obviously. What you get in a Kia or something more budget is cheaper in quality, finish and durability, which Is how that can offer it on cheaper cars.). Generally made from better grade hides, semi-aniline leather tends to be softer, with a better quality dye process and more durable finish.

grp52

Seat trim information is taken directly from the [US] Lexus ES FEATURES DESIGN: INTERIOR FEATURES Table for all ES model types. That link is to the 2023 model year and the seat trim feature entries were the same in the 2022 feature table (which I saved a screen shot capture of prior to Lexus updating the ES web site for the 2023 model year).

ESh

You are correct for the 2022+ model.

mikemu30

I second this - my ES FSport has the Nuluxe and at four years old it still looks brand new. My wife's RX has the basic leather and it shows many signs of wear after five years.

Shaboom

Totally satisfied with the NuLux on 2021 350ES base. Just wish they had a bit more stuffing. Awfully firm, though I've gotten used to it and don't mind. Would prefer a cushier seat though. Is the semi-aniline leather covered seat on the 2023 any cushier? Have they done anything about the issue on the 2023 NuLux covered seats?

TechNut

I agree as well from my experience with the “standard” leather and NuLuxe seating surfaces. I have never owned the semi-aniline so I cannot compare against that trim.

chefmatt87

I second your second My friend has a 2010 CT with Nuluxe and it still looks brand new. The semi-aniline may have a more luxurious feel, but I would rather have the Nuluxe which holds up much better with little to no wrinkling/creasing. I occasionally wipe mine down but no conditioning is required as it is for real leather.

mikemu30

My FSport has totally different seats so I can't compare. If you don't like the base seats, you'd likely hate the FSport seats but I personally love them.