If you’ve ever owned a Lexus, you’ll know their reputation for build quality, but they have lacked in some areas. One of those has been keeping up with the luxury German brands, but that’s changed recently. Lexus has added a wide range of features to their current model range, including the option for ventilated seats.
Ventilated seats are nothing new, but they are still a feature that’s only found on more expensive vehicles. Everyone accepts heated seats as a core feature of their car, but ventilated seats are one of those options where people aren’t too sure if they are useful or not. In today’s article, I wanted to answer that question for anyone looking at a Lexus and get you the info you need.
In this article, we’ll cover how ventilated seats work, which Lexus models feature them, and our opinions. We’ve also included the cost to add ventilated seats onto certain Lexus models, so you can decide if they are a feature worth getting.
Let’s get started!
How do ventilated seats work?
Ventilated seats use a system of fans within the back of the seat itself. Like heated seats, these can be set to different intensity levels, with higher fan speeds generating more cool air. These work differently from cooled seats, which use a system of tubes to move cold liquid through the seat.
Ventilated seats can be effective, but their main focus is recirculating air, just like a standard fan. If you’re expecting an ‘air conditioning’ effect, this won’t happen, as the space in your seats won’t allow a more complex system.
Even though they use a basic fan setup, ventilated seats can definitely help on longer journeys to keep you focused and on warmer days. With high-intensity levels, some ventilated seats can make a noise, but the Lexus setup is mostly quiet.
How to use ventilated seats in a Lexus
Most Lexus models allow you to control ventilated seats through the central screen. Within the main infotainment menu, you will have a ‘Seat’ and then a ‘Climate’ menu, and within that, you should see options for ‘Seat / Steering’.
Within this menu, you’ll have controls for both heated and ventilated seats and your heated steering wheel. There are three power levels for your ventilated seats, and you can set up the driver and front passenger separately.
Some Lexus models, like the RX, have the option for rear-ventilated seats. These can also be controlled through the main screen, or on some Lexus models there are controls at the back of the center console.
Do all Lexus models come with ventilated seats?
No – across the Lexus range, the basic trim levels for most models don’t include ventilated seats. Across most model trims, you can either add ventilated seats as an optional extra, or they will come as standard.
In the following sections, we’ve broken down every Lexus model to show which vehicles include ventilated seats as a standard feature. We also have those models with ventilated seats as an optional extra, and how much this feature costs.
Lexus models with ventilated seats as standard
Most Lexus models include ventilated seats as a standard feature. This isn’t surprising for a luxury car brand, but it’s better than you get from the likes of Mercedes and BMW. On some Lexus models, you also have the option to add rear ventilated seats, such as the RX SUV.
- UX 250h Premium
- UX 250h F Sport Handling
- NX 450h+
- NX 450h+ F Sport Handling
- RZ 450e Premium
- RZ 450e Luxury
- RX 350 Premium
- RX 350h Premium
- RX 350 Premium+ (with optional ventilated rear seats)
- RX 350h Premium+ (with optional ventilated rear seats)
- RX 350 Luxury (with optional ventilated rear seats)
- RX 350h Luxury (with optional ventilated rear seats)
- RX 350 F Sport Handling
- RX 500h F Sport Performance (with optional ventilated rear seats)
- GX 460 Premium
- GX 460 Luxury
- GX 460 Black Line Special Edition
- LX Premium
- LX F Sport Handling
- LX Luxury
- LX Ultra Luxury
- IS 350 F Sport
- IS 500 F Sport Performance
- IS 500 F Sport Performance Premium
- ES 250 Luxury
- ES 250 F Sport Design
- ES 350 F Sport Design
- ES 350 F Sport Handling
- ES 300h Luxury
- ES 300h F Sport Design
- ES 300h F Sport Handling
- ES 250 Ultra Luxury
- ES 350 Ultra Luxury
- ES 300h Ultra Luxury
- LS 500
- LS 500 F Sport
- LS 500h
- RC 300 F Sport
- RC 350 F Sport
- LC 500
- LC 500h
- LC 500 Convertible
Lexus models with ventilated seats as an optional extra
For a handful of Lexus models, you can add ventilated seats for a price. The cost of ventilated seats for each Lexus is shown below, which varies across each model. For some cars, ventilated seats are included as part of a content pack, such as the Premium Package.
- UX 250h F Sport Design – $680
- NX 250 – $3,050 (Part of the Premium Pack)
- NX 350 – $3,050 (Part of the Premium Pack)
- NX 350h – $3,050 (Part of the Premium Pack)
- NX 350 F Sport Handling – $1,050 (Part of the Luxury Package)
- IS 300 – $2,375 (Part of the Comfort Pack)
- ES 250 – $2,430 (Part of the Premium Pack)
- ES 350 – $2,430 (Part of the Premium Pack)
- ES 300h – $2,430 (Part of the Premium Pack)
- RC 300 – $1,790 (Part of the Premium Pack)
- RC 350 – $1,790 (Part of the Premium Pack)
- RC F – $6,375 (Part of the Premium Pack)
Lexus models without ventilated seats
For some entry-level Lexus models, there is no option for ventilated seats. These trim levels are missing a lot of luxury features, encouraging you to go for a higher-spec model instead.
- UX 250h
- RX 350
- RX 350h
- GX 460
- LX
- IS 350 F Sport Design
- RC F Track Edition
FAQs
Can you add ventilated seats to an existing Lexus?
There are some aftermarket options for ventilated seats, but there is no option for Lexus to add this option to an existing model
Is there a button for Lexus ventilated seats?
On some Lexus models, you can turn on ventilated seats with a physical button, which is found next to the heated seats. Most models allow you to control your sets through the touchscreen, though.
Are ventilated seats worth adding to your Lexus?
Overall, if you’re in a warmer climate and you want the very best features for your Lexus, ventilated seats are a great option. They aren’t as useful as heated seats, but on longer journeys, they help to keep you alert.
With the option to add ventilated seats on most Lexus models, you’ll need to choose an options pack. Because these packs come with a variety of features, it’s best to check if you think it’s value for money. If you’re only bothered about ventilated seats, it’s not worth paying $3,000+ for a full pack just to get this feature.
Also – if you’re in a colder region, you won’t get much use from ventilated seats. They are still a bonus, but like a lot of luxury features, you won’t get your value out of them. My advice is, if you’re in a warm region, ventilated seats are almost a must-have.
If you found this article helpful and would like to find out more about Lexus features, check out the articles below:
