Argelius
04-13-2010, 05:03 AM
After waiting over five months for my (special order) HS, it finally arrived last week. Thus far I'm thoroughly enjoying the car. While I'm sure these will be refined over time, here's some initial thoughts on the car.
Exterior Styling: I actually find it a very handsome car. I think the criticism of it "looking like a Corolla" is just needlessly b*tchy. It simply doesn't look like a Corolla other than, perhaps, (and this is a stretch) some of the over-all proportions. For me the weakest part of the design is the grille. I think if they'd put something just a little more flashy or chromey much of the criticism would be muted. The odd grey 3-bar grille is just sort of bland. And I'd like chrome door handles. Having said that, I've still had a couple people stop and ask me "nice looking car -- what is it?"
Interior Styling: I am really enjoying the interior design and layout. Everything is nicely laid out and functional. Quality seems Lexus-like. The seats could be a little more firm/supportive, but are comfortable. Personally, I'd like to see a bit more wood on the center stack somewhere -- a little too much black plastic for my taste.
Driving Characteristics: Having come from an Audi A4, I was expecting the car to feel really sluggish and under-powered. While it obviously doesn't have the pep of the A4, I'm finding it fun to drive. For the traffic conditions I deal with, it's got more than enough oomph. The ride is smoother than the Audi and the interior is equally, if not more, quiet. Again, based on the reviews, I was expecting it to much more noisy inside. For
Mileage: So far I'm getting about 35 mpg (in mixed city/highway) driving. And this is without really paying much attention to how I am driving (I'm currently focused more on figuring out the gadgets than maximizing mileage.) But impressive since it seems cars usually under-perform the EPA ratings.
Sound System: for me this is the best part of the car. The Mark Levinson system is phenomenal. My Audi had the premium Bang and Olfsen upgraded stereo which was excellent, but the ML I honestly believe blows it out of the water. Full, rich, deep sound with nice stereo separation and "sound stage." I couldn't do a side-by-side comparison between the ML and the stock stereo, but for me this was definitely worth the $$ and wait.
"Mouse Controller (or whatever it is called)": It's great and superior to the Audi's MMI knob. Easy to use. However a "back" button would be great and I'd prefer the "select" action to be pressing in on the joy stick rather than clicking the button on the side (although I've quickly gotten used to this setup).
iPod Interface: This is probably the weakest part of the infotainment system. While I like the controller, the graphics, controls and menu structure are far inferior to the Audi. Scrolling through lists is pathetically slow. Navigating between playlists, artists, etc is tedious. It also would be nice to be able to see what's currently playing without having to hit the Menu hard button, then click on "Audio". Also, some hard buttons on the controller for next/previous track would be nice (in addition to the steering wheel controls; the Audi had both). The graphics look ancient. I can't believe Lexus couldn't have come up with something that looks elegant and cool. Looks like little or no thought went into them.
The location of the USB port is odd. Why isn't it in the arm rest or glove box, hidden from view, rather than at the front of the center console with no place to actually put the iPod.
Navigation System: Decent and adequate. Better than the Audi, but also looks dated. Why no terrain or Birds-eye view? (I've previously had an RX and and GS and Lexus has clearly not bothered to update their Nav system much. It's functional and decent...but showing its age. The eDestination (putting addresses in online then downloading them to the car) is a cool idea, but very difficult and unintuitive as to where they actually show up. Doesn't seem like the end up in your destinations but rather you have to find them somewhere in the Lexus Enform menu. And all the functions (in Nav and elsewhere) that are locked out while in motion is just ridiculous.
Other Infotainment Features: XM Traffic -- I like it. XM Weather -- sort of silly since you can only view the forecast when you are at a complete stop. Lexus Insider -- good god, who cares? Now if you could go online and send particular Lexus (or other) podcasts to your car, that might be cool. XM Radio -- suffers from the same clunky interface and ugly graphics as the iPod. XM Sports and Stocks: have no interest/use. The "energy usage" graphics are also really dated-looking. One would think for not much R&D Lexus could give their owners graphics different from those in the Prius.
Lane Keep Assist: I tried it out this morning (while making sure there weren't any cars in the way) and it seemed to work as advertised -- it alarmed and nudged me back into my lane when I started to drift. The downside to the system is that it seems to be inactive more than it is active (I guess because Chicago's lane markers/lines are of wearing off, at least on my regular route).
Radar Cruise: Works great. Really like it.
Heads Up Display: love it. Can see this becoming a "must have" for my next car. (I'm always thinking about my next car...). Wish it would also show some of the hybrid graphics/current MPG graphics.
Front wide angle camera: better in theory than practice. I finally turned off the "auto" mode since having it turn on everytime I stop a light or stop sign (when I'm likely to want to change the radio or iPod) distracting. So I have to remember to enable it when it's really useful (like pulling out of an alley).
LED Headlights: Haven't driven enough at night to know. They really dont seem any different (functionally or aesthetically) from regular Xenons. Cool concept, though.
I'm sure there are some gadgets I forgot. Love the gadgets.
Anyway, just some initial thoughts for those who care to read these things. I love to nit-pick the limitations of the user interface/graphics since these things are a particular interest of mine. I find Lexus' obvious lack of attention to detail when it comes to them disappointing. Having said that, I really do love the car and am sure some of my "gripes" will subside over time. It's fun to identify what I wish was different, while still thoroughly enjoying the car.
Exterior Styling: I actually find it a very handsome car. I think the criticism of it "looking like a Corolla" is just needlessly b*tchy. It simply doesn't look like a Corolla other than, perhaps, (and this is a stretch) some of the over-all proportions. For me the weakest part of the design is the grille. I think if they'd put something just a little more flashy or chromey much of the criticism would be muted. The odd grey 3-bar grille is just sort of bland. And I'd like chrome door handles. Having said that, I've still had a couple people stop and ask me "nice looking car -- what is it?"
Interior Styling: I am really enjoying the interior design and layout. Everything is nicely laid out and functional. Quality seems Lexus-like. The seats could be a little more firm/supportive, but are comfortable. Personally, I'd like to see a bit more wood on the center stack somewhere -- a little too much black plastic for my taste.
Driving Characteristics: Having come from an Audi A4, I was expecting the car to feel really sluggish and under-powered. While it obviously doesn't have the pep of the A4, I'm finding it fun to drive. For the traffic conditions I deal with, it's got more than enough oomph. The ride is smoother than the Audi and the interior is equally, if not more, quiet. Again, based on the reviews, I was expecting it to much more noisy inside. For
Mileage: So far I'm getting about 35 mpg (in mixed city/highway) driving. And this is without really paying much attention to how I am driving (I'm currently focused more on figuring out the gadgets than maximizing mileage.) But impressive since it seems cars usually under-perform the EPA ratings.
Sound System: for me this is the best part of the car. The Mark Levinson system is phenomenal. My Audi had the premium Bang and Olfsen upgraded stereo which was excellent, but the ML I honestly believe blows it out of the water. Full, rich, deep sound with nice stereo separation and "sound stage." I couldn't do a side-by-side comparison between the ML and the stock stereo, but for me this was definitely worth the $$ and wait.
"Mouse Controller (or whatever it is called)": It's great and superior to the Audi's MMI knob. Easy to use. However a "back" button would be great and I'd prefer the "select" action to be pressing in on the joy stick rather than clicking the button on the side (although I've quickly gotten used to this setup).
iPod Interface: This is probably the weakest part of the infotainment system. While I like the controller, the graphics, controls and menu structure are far inferior to the Audi. Scrolling through lists is pathetically slow. Navigating between playlists, artists, etc is tedious. It also would be nice to be able to see what's currently playing without having to hit the Menu hard button, then click on "Audio". Also, some hard buttons on the controller for next/previous track would be nice (in addition to the steering wheel controls; the Audi had both). The graphics look ancient. I can't believe Lexus couldn't have come up with something that looks elegant and cool. Looks like little or no thought went into them.
The location of the USB port is odd. Why isn't it in the arm rest or glove box, hidden from view, rather than at the front of the center console with no place to actually put the iPod.
Navigation System: Decent and adequate. Better than the Audi, but also looks dated. Why no terrain or Birds-eye view? (I've previously had an RX and and GS and Lexus has clearly not bothered to update their Nav system much. It's functional and decent...but showing its age. The eDestination (putting addresses in online then downloading them to the car) is a cool idea, but very difficult and unintuitive as to where they actually show up. Doesn't seem like the end up in your destinations but rather you have to find them somewhere in the Lexus Enform menu. And all the functions (in Nav and elsewhere) that are locked out while in motion is just ridiculous.
Other Infotainment Features: XM Traffic -- I like it. XM Weather -- sort of silly since you can only view the forecast when you are at a complete stop. Lexus Insider -- good god, who cares? Now if you could go online and send particular Lexus (or other) podcasts to your car, that might be cool. XM Radio -- suffers from the same clunky interface and ugly graphics as the iPod. XM Sports and Stocks: have no interest/use. The "energy usage" graphics are also really dated-looking. One would think for not much R&D Lexus could give their owners graphics different from those in the Prius.
Lane Keep Assist: I tried it out this morning (while making sure there weren't any cars in the way) and it seemed to work as advertised -- it alarmed and nudged me back into my lane when I started to drift. The downside to the system is that it seems to be inactive more than it is active (I guess because Chicago's lane markers/lines are of wearing off, at least on my regular route).
Radar Cruise: Works great. Really like it.
Heads Up Display: love it. Can see this becoming a "must have" for my next car. (I'm always thinking about my next car...). Wish it would also show some of the hybrid graphics/current MPG graphics.
Front wide angle camera: better in theory than practice. I finally turned off the "auto" mode since having it turn on everytime I stop a light or stop sign (when I'm likely to want to change the radio or iPod) distracting. So I have to remember to enable it when it's really useful (like pulling out of an alley).
LED Headlights: Haven't driven enough at night to know. They really dont seem any different (functionally or aesthetically) from regular Xenons. Cool concept, though.
I'm sure there are some gadgets I forgot. Love the gadgets.
Anyway, just some initial thoughts for those who care to read these things. I love to nit-pick the limitations of the user interface/graphics since these things are a particular interest of mine. I find Lexus' obvious lack of attention to detail when it comes to them disappointing. Having said that, I really do love the car and am sure some of my "gripes" will subside over time. It's fun to identify what I wish was different, while still thoroughly enjoying the car.