Yesterday at work I rode with one of my co-workers to lunch in his '07 Lexus GS450. And after work, a bunch of us went out to a bar and I rode in an older Lexus IS300 (probably an '02 or so). My impression after being in both: what's the big deal? Especially the GS...the interior plastics were hard as a rock and grained no better than a Cobalt. I've also been in a new Avalon and Prius and neither impressed me as far as interiors go. I'd say the Avalon was the best of all mentioned above, however.

This brings me to my second point. Why do all car manufacturers do big swaths of plastic now for the doors and dash? My Lumina has cloth on the doors and some type of soft touch fake leather for the dash. The only spots where you find hard plastic are around the vents, an inset panel on the passenger side, the underside of the dash, and on the pillars. Even the arm rest is cloth, while most today are just cheap plastic that clicks shut. With a few exceptions, it seems like most mfrs. have gone to huge swaths of molded plastic that look like they were made in one piece on a computer. And it's not just the mainstream brands....even Lexus has done it.

I think that's why it's so special when you get in an older car...they just don't make 'em like they used to.

I know what you mean. My entire dash is a soft vinyl, my door panels are cloth that is stitched to have a variety of patterns in it, my arm rest is padded and cloth, even though it opens up for storage, it's still comfortable.

I will say though that the Lexus interiors (albeit I haven't been in them for a few years) were always top notch. Soft materials, tight fit and finish, and gorgeous wood.

The GS is garbage. My old boss picked up a brand new one earlier this year...he drove me around in it because there was some piece of plastic that was creaking and it was driving him nuts and he wanted me to help him find it.

My sister's IS (I believe it was an 01) wasn't great in regards to the interior...some very hard plastics, but it wasn't a badly designed interior...it felt small inside, but the more I think about it, the more I kinda like it. Pretty sporty. That car also saved her ass when she was stopped in traffic and a kid behind her wasn't paying attention and nailed her from behind going 50-something. The damage wasn't that bad, but it totaled the car, and she was alright.

Now she's in a G35 coupe...now that interior sucks. That's a car that I have always liked, but the more I experience it the more I hate it. THe looks are its only redeeming quality.

I actually like the look of the current GS. Never been in one though.

Lexus exteriors run from boring to outright hideous - I never get close enough to judge the interiors. :AH-HA_wink:

The new Lexus interiors are unremarkable. They are not really offensive, just nothing sets them apart. They do not reek of cheap, however, like a Toyota. I still like the interior of my IS300. It's Toyota-grade, because it wasn't designed to be a Lexus, but it suits me fine. BMW and Mercedes interiors aren't a whole lot different than Lexus interiors in terms of quality.

Yesterday at work I rode with one of my co-workers to lunch in his '07 Lexus GS450. And after work, a bunch of us went out to a bar and I rode in an older Lexus IS300 (probably an '02 or so). My impression after being in both: what's the big deal? Especially the GS...the interior plastics were hard as a rock and grained no better than a Cobalt. I've also been in a new Avalon and Prius and neither impressed me as far as interiors go. I'd say the Avalon was the best of all mentioned above, however.

This brings me to my second point. Why do all car manufacturers do big swaths of plastic now for the doors and dash? My Lumina has cloth on the doors and some type of soft touch fake leather for the dash. The only spots where you find hard plastic are around the vents, an inset panel on the passenger side, the underside of the dash, and on the pillars. Even the arm rest is cloth, while most today are just cheap plastic that clicks shut. With a few exceptions, it seems like most mfrs. have gone to huge swaths of molded plastic that look like they were made in one piece on a computer. And it's not just the mainstream brands....even Lexus has done it.

I think that's why it's so special when you get in an older car...they just don't make 'em like they used to.

My Integra has the soft-touch plastic in the same areas as well (not sure exactly what it is, feels like a mix between leather and plastic). The only hard plastic is the lower dash, center console and center stack. Maybe a couple other areas too I can't think of.

Sitting in the new TSX and I do notice that there is more hard plastic. It is likely an industry wide cost cutting measure, if everyone is doing it. Damn that's right, I meant to go test drive the '09 TL today. Whoops. SH-AWD model just came out and my local dealer also has a used Integra Type R on the lot.

Lexus interiors, some are pretty nice, the LS and some of the older models. But nothing stunning.

So hilarious, one vehicle i came across a few of while shopping recently. Mercedes R class. Great used buys on people haulers. But let me tell you......the interiors on the R class are a major upgrade over any other vehicle you'd consider as a people hauler. Of course, I'd expect this from Mercedes. Lexus is a let down in comparison.

I think Land ROvers and Range Rovers have great interiors for what they are in. The new XF Jag (wow i saw one at the dr's office the other day....the XF is easily a truly stunning car) has a cool interior.

so yeah, lexus and toyota really don't measure up. go look at the tucky insides of an FJ crusier, a tundra, or a highlander. YUCK!