HontoKuro

I recently had my wife's RX in for a 10k service and received a 2018 GS F-Sport (AWD) as a loaner vehicle which was a surprise since most of the time Lexus dealers typically give their SUVs as loaners. During my 24 hours with the GS loaner a couple of things instantly stood out in my drive experience that makes me think there was some changes to the F-Sport suspension on the 2016+ refresh models of the GS but can't say for sure. I have a 2015 F-Sport (also AWD) and in that model I really love the way the drive dynamics and handling are, the road feedback and that well balanced 'on rails feel' whereas on the 2018 loaner F-Sport didn't feel anywhere near as planted nor as tight as my 2015 in terms of the driving. The 2018 I had more of a softer ride and didn't feel as balanced and tight as my 2015. In fact I almost thought I had an entirely different GS F-Sport model that felt more like a luxury ride than sporty. Is it me or does anyone else that had a 2015 or earlier GS model and upgraded to the refreshed 2016+ GS F-Sport think the same? This is the 2nd time I have driven a 2016+ GS F-Sport variant and the car feels and drives entirely different than my 2015 variant and I have no mods on my suspension.

Even in Sport+ mode the 2018 GS had a different drive and although it felt to me had a different RPMs (higher) power pick up and shift in gears the steering felt much lighter and more artificial, the turns on highway speeds didn't feel as sharp and precise and just overall the planted feeling was different and didn't seem as grounded, it just felt different and not sure I liked it. Thoughts? Should I lay off the weed? Am I imagining and feeling things? Is it my imagination? Opinions welcome.

signdetres

I've literally stated a million times on here that the 2016+ cars drove completely differently than the 2015 and older models, so no, you're not imagining things. The 2016+ models have upped overall refinement and do feel/drive like more luxurious cars. The 2015 and older models are definitely sportier to drive, at the cost of refinement/comfort.

AJLex19

Fellow members @JDR76 and @signdetres commented a bunch on this here: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...s-hello-6.html

JDR76

Yes, very different. Agree with signdetres.

DaSyce

iTrader: (3)

I would love to know if it’s different shocks, I’d like to have a little softer ride.

Wincer94

This is one of the things that I did not like about the refreshed models. I loved the heavier steering and firmer suspension on my previous 2015 model F-Sport on Sport+ mode. 2016+ F-Sport models you can't really even tell any difference in the steering and handling between any of the driving modes.

jtrue28

I can. You leave it in normal or ECO and it's a freaking boat.

Tarmac88

This forum thread just changed my decision on the MY gs 350. I drove the 2019 f sport and i didnt feel at all it was as sporty as people praise the GS model to be. But clearly if people are saying the 2015 gs 350 pre-lift drives different, i now need to test drive a 2015. I originally didnt want to buy a 5 year old car, but if the drive is stiff i am more interested.

JDR76

I liked the AVS programming on my 15 better, but like the steering on the 19 better.

Tarmac88

I found the steering to be slightly stiffer the my moms rx 350 when put on sport + mode. I wonder does the 2015 using hydraulic steering or is it electronic?

bclexus

The 4GS uses an electric power steering system.

Tarmac88

So the difference between a 2015 and 2016 is just the programming on the electronic steering? Is there any press release out there to somehow explain the change that has been done? Most german cars still achieve that heavy feel on the steering with electronic steering.

HontoKuro

Great feedback, so it wasn't my imagination after all. I wonder what changed or differences were made to those 2016+ refresh models that changed the driving and handling dynamics?

JDR76

My gut feeling is just the software. In the past, the Luxury Package models with AVS were programmed a bit softer than the F Sport models. I am wondering if from 2016 they just used one software program. Not sure though, as I haven't driven the Lux package.

I slightly prefer my 19's ride around town, as it feels a bit more comfortable, but Sport S+ in my 15 seemed to be more aggressive than on my 19. My impression is that my 19 has more body roll while in S+ than my 15 did. I am plenty happy with it, though.

signdetres

We'd all like to know. Lexus only talks about styling changes, for the most part, that were made to the refreshed GS. They don't mention anything else, which is clearly not the case.