Lexus Touchpad vs Touchscreen: Which Years Have the Best Infotainment?
The first time you try to swipe through a navigation menu while driving a pre-2022 Lexus ES, you quickly realize that the luxury brand’s infotainment system was a frustrating experience that many owners loved to hate.
If you’re shopping for a used Lexus ES350, you’ve probably heard the complaints about the infotainment system. The touchpad controller was widely criticized, and for good reason. But Lexus listened to the feedback and made a major change in 2022. So which years have the best infotainment? The short answer is 2023 and newer, but let’s break down exactly what changed and why it matters.
TL;DR
The Lexus ES350’s infotainment system went through three distinct phases: the older Remote Touch joystick (2013-2018), the frustrating touchpad (2019-2022), and the much-improved touchscreen (2023+). The 2022 model got a touchscreen, but the touchpad stayed as a secondary option, making it a transitional year. For the best experience, look for a 2023 or newer model where the touchpad was finally retired entirely. If you’re on a budget, a 2022 model is a good compromise, but be prepared to use the touchscreen exclusively.
Key Takeaways
- The Touchpad Era (2019-2022): Lexus introduced a touchpad controller that was widely criticized as frustrating and distracting to use while driving .
- The 2022 Transition: Lexus added a touchscreen and moved it closer to the driver, but kept the touchpad as an option .
- The Touchscreen Revolution (2023+): The touchpad was completely removed, and the infotainment system became fully touchscreen-based with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto .
- Older Models (2013-2018): These used a joystick-based Remote Touch system that feels outdated today .
The Evolution of Lexus ES Infotainment Systems
To understand which Lexus ES models have the best infotainment, you need to look at how the system evolved over three generations.
The Remote Touch Joystick Era (2013-2018)
The sixth-generation Lexus ES (2013-2018) used a system called Remote Touch. This featured a joystick-like controller on the center console that you moved like a mouse to control the screen . While some found it intuitive, it was considered slow and clunky compared to modern touchscreens. Owners of these models often describe the infotainment as outdated and a weak point in an otherwise excellent car .
If you’re considering a used ES from this era, know that you’re buying it for the smooth ride and reliability, not the tech.
The Frustrating Touchpad Era (2019-2022)
When Lexus redesigned the ES for 2019, they introduced a new touchpad-based infotainment system . The idea was to control the screen from the center console like a laptop trackpad. In practice, it was widely hated.
Reviewers called it “difficult” and “dangerous to use while driving” because of “unnecessary extra steps and sloppy responses” . The cluttered screen made it hard to accurately select on-screen buttons . Many owners lamented that the interface felt outdated before the car even left the showroom .
One reviewer described the setup as “infernal” and requiring users to “drag their fingers across to manipulate an on-screen cursor, like on a computer” . If reading that sounds complicated, well, you get why the setup was less than successful.
The Touchscreen Revolution (2022+)
Lexus finally listened to the complaints. For the 2022 model year, the ES received a mid-cycle refresh with a major infotainment upgrade. The screen was moved 4.3 inches closer to the driver and became a touchscreen . This meant you could finally interact with the system directly by tapping icons on the screen, just like on a smartphone.
However, 2022 was a transitional year. The touchpad remained on the center console, but you no longer needed to use it . While this was a huge improvement, the touchpad was still present, taking up space and reminding you of the old system.
The real change came in 2023, when Lexus mercifully retired the touchpad entirely . The infotainment system became a standard 8-inch or available 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto . This made the ES’s infotainment competitive with other luxury sedans.
Comparison Table: Lexus ES Infotainment by Model Year
| Model Years | Infotainment Type | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-2018 | Remote Touch Joystick | Some find it intuitive | Slow, outdated, clunky |
| 2019-2021 | Touchpad Controller | Was “modern” for its time | Frustrating, distracting, hard to use |
| 2022 | Touchscreen + Touchpad | Touchscreen is a huge improvement | Touchpad still present (unnecessary) |
| 2023+ | Full Touchscreen | Modern, responsive, wireless CarPlay/AA | Some find interface could be more user-friendly |
Which Year Should You Choose?
If the infotainment experience is a priority for you, the choice is clear: go with a 2023 or newer model. The full touchscreen system is much more intuitive and easier to use while driving. You get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which means you can use your phone’s apps seamlessly on the big screen .
If you’re on a tight budget, a 2022 model is a great compromise. You get the improved touchscreen and moved display, which fixes the biggest frustrations of the earlier system . You can simply ignore the touchpad and use the screen like any modern car.
If you’re looking at older models (2013-2021), be prepared for a less-than-modern experience. The infotainment is a weak point. Some owners have added aftermarket multimedia upgrades to get Android Auto and Carplay functionality, which can be a worthwhile investment . But it’s worth asking yourself: do you really want to spend thousands on a luxury car only to have to upgrade the tech?
What About the 2024 and 2025 Models?
For 2024 and 2025, the ES350 continued with the touchscreen system. The 2024 model year added a new Technology Package that bundled the 12.3-inch touchscreen with a card key and head-up display . The 2025 ES350 uses the same basic system with an available 12.3-inch screen, but some reviewers note that while it works well, it’s not class-leading due to lacking some user-friendly features like a customizable home screen . However, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remain available, which is the most important feature for most users .
Frequently Asked Questions
What year did Lexus ES get a touchscreen?
The Lexus ES got a touchscreen for the 2022 model year as part of a mid-cycle refresh .
Is the 2022 Lexus ES touchscreen good?
Yes, the 2022 ES touchscreen is a huge improvement over the older touchpad system, but the touchpad still remains as a secondary option .
What Lexus ES years have Apple CarPlay?
Apple CarPlay was introduced in the Lexus ES starting with the 2019 model year . Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto came with the 2023 model year .
Why did people hate the Lexus touchpad?
The touchpad was frustrating because it was “difficult, and therefore dangerous, to use while driving due to unnecessary extra steps and sloppy responses” . The on-screen cursor was hard to control accurately .
Which Lexus ES year has the best infotainment?
The 2023 and newer Lexus ES models have the best infotainment because they replaced the touchpad with a modern full touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto .
References
References:
- Cars.com – 2022 Lexus ES 350: 6 Things We Like (and 4 Not So Much)
- CarMax – Lexus ES 350 Model Research
- Edmunds – 2022 Lexus ES 350 Review & Ratings
- MotorTrend – 2022 Lexus ES Stays Svelte, Gets New Touchscreen
Which Lexus ES model year are you considering? Share your thoughts in the comments.