Older Lexus Models To Lose 3G-Supported Features

Good and Bad

The presence of technology in vehicles can be both a blessing and a curse, giving us cutting-edge features that are quite useful, though once those features and tech become outdated, so does the vehicle. Now, we're starting to see that trend rear its ugly head thanks to the prevalence of 5G technology, which is rendering 3G and the features that use it essentially irrelevant for some older Lexus vehicles.

Photos: Lexus

Phasing Out

According to the official Lexus support site, 2010-2018 Lexus vehicles that utilize the Lexus Enform service have lost their convenience and safety features that rely on 3G cellular service. However, this isn't really the fault of the luxury brand, as major carriers are in the process of phasing out 3G across the U.S.

Photos: Lexus

Optional Goodies

Regardless, this is obviously bad news for quite a few owners of relatively modern Lexus vehicles, which aren't obsolete by any means. On the bright side, these features were previously only available via a Lexus Enform subscription, which means that they aren't standard equipment at least.

Photos: Lexus

Feature List

These features consist of Lexus Enform Safety Connect, which includes Automatic Collision Notification, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Emergency Assistance Button, and Stolen Vehicle Locator, Lexus Enform Remote including Remote Engine Start/Stop, Door Lock/Unlock, Vehicle Finder, Guest Driver Monitor, Vehicle Status and Alerts, Key Fob Remote Start, and Integration with Alexa and The Google Assistant, Lexus Enform Destination Assist, which includes the 24-hour live response center agent feature, and Lexus Enform Service Connect, including Vehicle Health Report, Vehicle Alerts, and Maintenance Alerts.

Photos: Lexus

Going Away

All 2010-2017 models along with the 2018 GX are losing Safety Connect, and Destination Assist, while 2015-2017 models are ditching Lexus Enform Remote and Service Connect, with all of these features being cut off at the end of October.

Photos: Lexus

Gone for Good?

Luckily, navigation isn't affected by this move, so owners can continue to use it for the foreseeable future. But as far as the rest of these features go, well, owners are out of luck for now, as the luxury brand has no plans to retrofit newer cellular radios to keep them going.

Photos: Lexus

Warning Sign

Customers that were paying for these features will get prorated refunds for any unused months, but this still leaves a pretty bad taste in the mouths of those that relied on them and expected to do so for years to come. Perhaps even more importantly, it's a sign that future changes in technology could also render other features obsolete as well.

Photos: Lexus

>>Join the conversation about these older Lexus models right here at ClubLexus.com.

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