BippuLexus

Yup. Apple map isn't very good and Google map isn't allowed on Apple Carplay.

Yeah. In my opinion, its not worth waiting till the 4th generation Lexus IS for Apple Carplay nor its worth even having. I only think Apple Carplay is a huge deal on "regular cars" that have awful infotainment systems. IE: A car owner with an Honda Accord w/o Navigation will likely make the most of the Apple Carplay. (Personal example - when I was in my Camaro SS rental, I only used the Apple Carplay for maps because it was a rental. I can honestly tell you that if my rental had a navigation - I wouldn't even use the Apple Carplay.) But, for luxury vehicles that already have a polished infotainment system and features, you'll find yourself not really using it.

In reality - Toyota only decided to add Apple Carplay onto their vehicles because their Toyota consumer base was complaining about how they need it. It also make sense for them to add it onto Toyota vehicles because the Corolla and Camry competes with the Civic and Accord, which already has Apple Carplay and Android Auto. <- Majority of these cars are sold without navigation and the infotainment system is definitely not as good as something luxury brands would offer. You'll find that Lexus owners would probably not use Apple Carplay.

JDR76

I will never understand the hooplah about CarPlay.

My sister and brother in law have it on their Civic and hate it. As my sister says, "Why do I have to pull out my phone and plug it in just to get my map?".

arentz07

tbh, I just want a more responsive system for infotainment, with more intuitive menu layout. I am not opposed to Lexus adopting Car Play or Android Auto, but it's not a deal-breaker.

Customizable drive modes would be nice, too...

BippuLexus

Agreed. I never understood the hype around Apple Carplay or Android Auto either.

That's true. If someone wanted to use their phone map, they can just use a phone mount. However, I think people that own cars with lackluster infotainment system usually use the Apple Carplay/Android Auto to replace the original system - as in the Apple Carplay/Android Auto is their default. I can never see a luxury car owner with the loaded infotainment system using Apple Carplay/Android Auto over its default system.

Agreed. I don't care if Lexus adopts Apple Car play or Android, because it personally won't change anything - it'll just be a waste of space. I doubt any Lexus owner would actually use it considering the Lexus stand Infotainment system is better and more refined. On top of that, Lexus already offer free live traffic and weather on the Lexus system. Using the Apple Car play/Android Auto on a Lexus or any other luxury vehicle that is loaded is going backwards.

However, Toyota adopting Apple Carplay and Android Auto makes sense. It mostly to benefit the Toyota consumers who purchase the Corolla or Camry, where majority of the vehicles are bought without navigation and the infotainment system on those tier of cars are usually laggy and awful.

JDR76

To be clear, though, I'm not talking about the map on the phone. You have to have the phone physically plugged in to be able to access CarPlay, so you have no navigation map on your car's display screen unless you pull out your phone and plug it in. That's what my sister has an issue with.

dmavilia

Apple Car Play is a must, plus a turbo 6 cylinder with mid 300's horsepower is a must.

Memory seats on an F Sport would be nice, too.

BippuLexus

Ahh. Thanks for the clarification. Definitely agree though. Its annoyance to keep having to plug in the phone in order to use Apple Carplay.

I'm curious. May I ask why you think Apple Carplay is a must? I just want to see what other people think because I personally think Apple Carplay is useless on luxury cars that have polished infotainment systems.

I disagree. Apple Carplay is not a must. While the next generation Lexus IS will definitely have Enform 2.0 with the trackpad and Apple Carplay, Apple Carplay is pretty much null on any Lexus product and won't be an important factor. Owners who have fully packaged luxury vehicles will probably never use Apple Carplay because there's no reason to. IE: A Lexus IS owner will never use Apple Carplay because with navigation (which has free live traffic/weather updates), you'll never have to. With Siri Voice Control (you use bluetooth to pair the car to your phone), you'll never have to plug in your iPhone and you can use Siri to access your phone contacts/music. The Lexus Infotainment system is miles ahead of Apple Carplay - it would not be unnecessary to use it. Similarity - another example: an Audi A4 owner with Virtual Cockpit and MMI would never touch Apple Carplay or Android Auto because its a huge step backwards compared to Audi's system.

I agree. I would want a detuned TTV6 Lexus IS as well - but unfortunately - I think Lexus will keep the 2GR-FKS on the Lexus IS350 until a few years has passed on the 4th generation. My guess is that the Lexus GS will most likely be the first get the detuned TTV6. Since the 2GR-FKS was trickled down from the GS, they will probably give the TTV6 to the GS first and then trickle it down to the Lexus IS350 later.

Lexus IS F Sport does have memory seats. There is memory seats, memory steering wheel and memory outside mirror settings. These options are added on via Comfort Package.

dmavilia

BippuLexus

True - I thought about the ability to use Apple Apps as well but Apple App selection is limited at best. Majority of apps don't work on Apple Carplay. Majority of the apps are pretty much Phone, Music, Audio Book, Music streaming services, and Messaging. The Lexus' infotainment system can do phone, music and messaging (Siri Voice Control) for you already. That's why I think using Apple Carplay on Lexus' infotainment system is backwards when the Lexus system is already better. The only reason I think Lexus drivers might want to use Apple Carplay is if they are a heavy music streamer or audio book listener. Other that - every other function can be done by the car's standard infotainment system and that's why I think whole hype of carplay is pretty confusing when it comes to the luxury market.

I watch this vlogger on YouTube and he drives an Audi S3 w/ Virtual Cockpit. He talked about how he never uses Apple Carplay or Android Auto. His points were similar: he already has Virtual Cockpit and MMI - he didn't need the carplay stuff.

Lexus gets their live traffic and weather from HD Radio. While the Lexus navigation is no god-send of a navigation, it is miles ahead and better than Apple Maps.

Gotcha! I thought you own a refreshed Lexus IS because I believe the memory option came to be during refresh.

dmavilia

With a wife who is 6 inches shorter than me, memory seats would have been awesome. Should have waited for the refresh!

Also, my wife hates the tech in the Lexus. I think for many people who aren't into learning features and getting into the technology in these cars, Apple Car Play would be a good option for someone who isn't used to the car because the interface is pretty universal. It is my primary car, so I got what I wanted. But when I need my wife's SUV and we switch cars for the day, she needs more ease of use... and I need an easier way to get my seat back the way I like it.

Chicks, man....

arentz07

Well, she isn't alone - I for one don't like the trackpad-like interface in other Lexus models. The updated, sharper screens in some of them look quite nice though.

Xanadu350

2013FSport

iTrader: (2)

I would call the 2IS 350 quick, but not fast per say as its too fat and runs out of steam above 70.
On that note I weighed it once 4,000 lbs. Front 2,200, Rear 1,800 lbs. Its the 4.08:1 diff gear giving it good 0 - 60ft and 1/8th mile times.

With all the small displacement engines getting boost it seems their longevity may not balance well with current brand **reliability** requirements.

BippuLexus

Good point. There are many people that hate to learn all these new features and would rather have a simple universal infotainment system. But this begs the question - why would you buy a Luxury car that cost over 40K if you don't want any of these features and want something simple? That would be a waste of money. IE: The Audi Virtual Cockpit MMI system will take some time to learn. Why would anyone pay over 50Gs for an Audi A4 with Virtual Cockpit, think its too difficult to learn, and use a cheaper (non-luxurious) Apple Carplay? You'll literally cheapen the vehicle by doing that. At that point - you are better off buying a point A to B car with an infotainment system that is lackluster with no features then the Apple Carplay will be an important feature.

At the end of the day - majority of consumers in Audi, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Porsche and etc... don't even use their Apple Carplay/Android Auto system because they are paying for the car's own infotainment system that controls majority of their features.

I think the trackpad frustration and wanting Apple Carplay is kind of two different subjects. Regardless if you have trackpad 1.0 or 2.0, you'll still need the trackpad to control Apple CarPlay. So if you hate the standard Lexus trackpad (which some people do, just like how some people hate MMI or iDrive etc...), Apple Carplay or Android Auto won't save you from using it.

Its likely the Lexus trackpad will make it onto the next gen Lexus IS. This is evidence by the fact that the Lexus LS is using it. I think going forward - Lexus is pushing the trackpad. For me personally, I prefer the joystick over the trackpad.

Xanadu350