What year did Lexus switch to touch screen?
There isn't a single year when Lexus fully switched to touchscreen infotainment; the transition occurred in stages, beginning around model year 2018 and becoming standard across the lineup by the early 2020s.
Background and timeline
The brand long relied on the Remote Touch Interface (RTI), a trackpad-style control, for its early infotainment systems. After years of criticism that the RTI was fiddly and distracting, Lexus began shifting toward a touchscreen-centric approach as part of a broader industry trend toward simpler, more intuitive interfaces. This shift happened gradually, with different regions and models adopting touchscreens at different times.
Here is a concise timeline of how the move toward touchscreens unfolded across Lexus vehicles:
- 2018: Several redesigned interiors introduced larger central displays and began offering touchscreen inputs on select models, signaling the start of the transition away from RTI in some markets.
- 2019: More models expanded touchscreen availability and made it the primary input method on certain trims, while some configurations still offered the older RTI as an option in some regions.
- 2020: A broad rollout took hold across many mainstream Lexus models, with touchscreen displays becoming standard on new vehicles and the RTI gradually phased out in the primary lineup.
- 2021–2023: Interior refreshes and new generations continued to emphasize touchscreen controls, with increased screen sizes and enhanced smartphone integration reinforcing the shift.
The switch was not instantaneous or uniform across every model or market. By the early 2020s, Lexus had largely moved to touchscreen as the default input method for most new vehicles, though regional variations and older stock could still feature legacy controls.
Regional differences in the rollout
Some markets adopted the touchscreen transition earlier than others, and certain trims or regional specifications continued to include legacy input options for a period of time. Prospective buyers should verify the infotainment input method for the exact model year and market they’re considering.
Current state across Lexus models
Today, the central touchscreen is the standard interface for the majority of new Lexus models, with screen sizes and feature sets varying by model and trim. The move to touchscreen is complemented by modern smartphone integration and voice controls, reflecting broader automotive industry trends toward more intuitive, distraction-conscious design.
- Touchscreen as the primary input is now common across most current Lexus models, with display sizes typically ranging from around 9.8 inches to 12.3 inches or larger, depending on the model and trim level.
- In-car features such as Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, voice assistant controls, and over-the-air updates are generally integrated with the touchscreen system, enhancing ease of use.
- Some regions or trims may still include legacy controls or transitional hardware as part of ongoing model refreshes, but these are increasingly rare in new-car inventory.
For buyers shopping today, the practical takeaway is that Lexus has consolidated around touchscreen infotainment across most of its lineup, with limited exceptions tied to regional specifications or specific older-model stock.
Summary
The shift from a trackpad-based RTI to touchscreen infotainment at Lexus occurred over several years, beginning in earnest around 2018 and becoming standard in the early 2020s. It was a gradual, model- and region-dependent transition rather than a single calendar-year change. As of now, the vast majority of new Lexus models rely on touchscreen interfaces, backed by modern connectivity and voice control features, with only occasional exceptions in legacy configurations.
