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I previously had a 2013 450h but sadly she got t boned and is no longer with me. I am looking at a 2016 or newer 350 or 450h (if I can find one) but I know there has been a lot of discussion about the changes in suspension and steering tuning post refresh. I want a 2016+ so I can get LSS+
I was wondering if someone could help me identify what year would be the sportiest set up for suspension tuning and steering feedback for both options, the gas and the hybrid. I drove an 18 350 F sport the other day and I am sad to say it felt kind of plain.
I am willing to do a limited number of mods but I’d rather not do anything too complex or involved.
I don't think there are significant differences in any of the post-refresh (2016-2020) model years, but @peteharvey is the one on here who has tracked it the closest. He may be able to help.
@RWDdude - Do you think all 2016+ have LSS+, or are you planning to add it? My 2018 GS 450h doesn't have LSS+.
Hasn't LSS+ been updated multiple times to newer versions?
Hey u came from a 2013 GS, did u miss anything from the 2013 that ur 2018 doesn't have? Did ur 2013 ride better than the new one?
I went from a 2014 to 2019 and I think they both ride the same, minus the back pain in my 2014 after driving for a while. Yeah the 2019 can feel soft sometimes but S+ fixed all the issues.
How about u JDR? U went from a 2015 to 2019 to 2020 right?
Hey u came from a 2013 GS, did u miss anything from the 2013 that ur 2018 doesn't have? Did ur 2013 ride better than the new one?
I went from a 2014 to 2019 and I think they both ride the same, minus the back pain in my 2014 after driving for a while. Yeah the 2019 can feel soft sometimes but S+ fixed all the issues.
How about u JDR? U went from a 2015 to 2019 to 2020 right?
Correct. My 19 and 20 drive exactly the same as each other. Versus the 15, they both drive quieter and more refined. In S+, the 15 was harsher than the 19 or 20 in S+, but the 15 felt a little harsh for the sake of being harsh, meaning that the 19 and 20 are smoother, but seem to handle just as well. I didn't see a loss of handling performance in moving up to the refreshed models. Big difference in steering, though. In the 15, when in S+, the steering was very heavy as the assist was dialed way down. In my 19 and now 20, I don't feel a big difference in steering effort being the drive modes.
The thing I like the least in the refreshed models is the interior dome lighting. They tried to make it more yellow, as opposed to the crisp, bright white lighting I had in the 15.
Hello everyone -
I previously had a 2013 450h but sadly she got t boned and is no longer with me. I am looking at a 2016 or newer 350 or 450h (if I can find one) but I know there has been a lot of discussion about the changes in suspension and steering tuning post refresh. I want a 2016+ so I can get LSS+
I was wondering if someone could help me identify what year would be the sportiest set up for suspension tuning and steering feedback for both options, the gas and the hybrid. I drove an 18 350 F sport the other day and I am sad to say it felt kind of plain.
I am willing to do a limited number of mods but I’d rather not do anything too complex or involved.
Any thoughts are appreciated !
Its probably tough to find inventory of GS's, but you'd need to drive a '16, '18 and possibly a '20 F-Sport RWD to find the sportiest of the bunch since you have some idea of what you're looking for in terms of feel/driveability/performance. It seems like every two years is when Lexus updated the "sportiness factor" with the refresh.
Correct. My 19 and 20 drive exactly the same as each other. Versus the 15, they both drive quieter and more refined. In S+, the 15 was harsher than the 19 or 20 in S+, but the 15 felt a little harsh for the sake of being harsh, meaning that the 19 and 20 are smoother, but seem to handle just as well. I didn't see a loss of handling performance in moving up to the refreshed models. Big difference in steering, though. In the 15, when in S+, the steering was very heavy as the assist was dialed way down. In my 19 and now 20, I don't feel a big difference in steering effort being the drive modes.
The thing I like the least in the refreshed models is the interior dome lighting. They tried to make it more yellow, as opposed to the crisp, bright white lighting I had in the 15.
I agree on the steering feel and dome lights. I remember the S+ in my 14 made the steering wheel noticeably heavier and the white/bluish dome lights look cooler than this yellowish and what's worse is the individual map lights are still white.
Correct. My 19 and 20 drive exactly the same as each other. Versus the 15, they both drive quieter and more refined. In S+, the 15 was harsher than the 19 or 20 in S+, but the 15 felt a little harsh for the sake of being harsh, meaning that the 19 and 20 are smoother, but seem to handle just as well. I didn't see a loss of handling performance in moving up to the refreshed models. Big difference in steering, though. In the 15, when in S+, the steering was very heavy as the assist was dialed way down. In my 19 and now 20, I don't feel a big difference in steering effort being the drive modes.
The thing I like the least in the refreshed models is the interior dome lighting. They tried to make it more yellow, as opposed to the crisp, bright white lighting I had in the 15.
It has been a long time ago now, but camparo's of the 2013 vs the 2016+'s showed a difference on a few car review test track laps of the same tracks and 0-60, and quarter mile. On the street driving maybe not as noticeable, but with R&T and MT there were differences is results measured. The 13-15 handled better on track laps, and was quicker in the straight line performance results than the 16+.
Last edited by jgscott; 10-11-22 at 08:15 PM.
Reason: Sp
I don't think there are significant differences in any of the post-refresh (2016-2020) model years, but @peteharvey is the one on here who has tracked it the closest. He may be able to help.
Its probably tough to find inventory of GS's, but you'd need to drive a '16, '18 and possibly a '20 F-Sport RWD to find the sportiest of the bunch since you have some idea of what you're looking for in terms of feel/driveability/performance. It seems like every two years is when Lexus updated the "sportiness factor" with the refresh.
Thanks for your tag JDR.
Both you and AJLex have answered very well.
If the OP has any further questions, he is welcome to ask.
Basically, the 16-18 RWD coil springs are fairly soft for a large part of the travel; maybe you could call them luxury coil springs.
However, the 19-20 RWD coil springs are only soft for the first 2", then almost immediately become firm for the rest of the travel; perhaps we could call them sporting-luxury coil springs.
On the otherhand, the 2013-15 coil springs are pretty rigid the entire travel; perhaps we could call them sports coil springs.
Furthermore, although the 2013 RWD shock absorbers are moderately soft, the 2014 RWD shock absorbers are firmer again, while the 2015 RWD shock absorbers are really really tied down.
My OEM 2015 RWD handled almost like a compact sedan, but the ride was tiring.
In the end, the OP might have to swap his 2016-18 coil springs for 2019-20 coil springs if he wants a "sporting-luxury" handling/ride.
Alternatively, the OP might want to swap his 2016-18 coil springs and shock absorbers for the 2013 coil springs and shock absorbers like what he had before?
If OP went with 2015 coils and shock absorbers, then the handling and ride would be really tied down; the 2013 shock absorbers are floaty compared to the tied down shock absorbers of the 2015.
Because the OP has 2016-18 RWD, this already has the thicker front roll bars, so he would not have to change his front roll bars.
In January 2018, the GS received thicker sportier rear roll bars across the range.
NB, I don't have much experience driving the 450h and zero experience with AWD, so I don't know how these models handle/ride over the 8-year model cycle.
The 2013 GS450h is softer than the 2013 GS350 RWD from my memory.
From my memory, the Base trim without the AVS electronic valve shock absorbers have firmer damping and more tied down sporty ride compared to the Luxury trim with AVS on the regular Economy/Normal/Sport mode.
The shock absorber [damper] part numbers below are for the AVS electronic valve shock absorbers used on both Luxury and F Sport trims.
Although the AVS shock absorber part numbers are exactly the same, keep in mind that the F Sport trim uses sportier software mapping to the Luxury trim.
For Base trim shock absorber part numbers, refer to websites like www.lexusparts.com .
The GS200t/300 2.0T uses the exact same suspension part numbers as the GS350 V6 RWD.
@AJLex19 - Oh yeah, I've got all those LSS+ features on my 2018 GS 450h. I thought it was something additional...
The only LSS+ feature I actually use is the Automatic High Beam. I have all the other LSS+ features turned Off. I've only briefly tested the cruise control to see if it worked - the last time I actually used cruise control on any vehicle was probably close to two decades ago. I just prefer to be in control without any additional aids.
Thanks for your tag JDR.
Both you and AJLex have answered very well.
If the OP has any further questions, he is welcome to ask.
Basically, the 16-18 RWD coil springs are fairly soft for a large part of the travel; maybe you could call them luxury coil springs.
However, the 19-20 RWD coil springs are only soft for the first 2", then almost immediately become firm for the rest of the travel; perhaps we could call them sporting-luxury coil springs.
On the otherhand, the 2013-15 coil springs are pretty rigid the entire travel; perhaps we could call them sports coil springs.
Furthermore, although the 2013 RWD shock absorbers are moderately soft, the 2014 RWD shock absorbers are firmer again, while the 2015 RWD shock absorbers are really really tied down.
My OEM 2015 RWD handled almost like a compact sedan, but the ride was tiring.
In the end, the OP might have to swap his 2016-18 coil springs for 2019-20 coil springs if he wants a "sporting-luxury" handling/ride.
Alternatively, the OP might want to swap his 2016-18 coil springs and shock absorbers for the 2013 coil springs and shock absorbers like what he had before?
If OP went with 2015 coils and shock absorbers, then the handling and ride would be really tied down; the 2013 shock absorbers are floaty compared to the tied down shock absorbers of the 2015.
Because the OP has 2016-18 RWD, this already has the thicker front roll bars, so he would not have to change his front roll bars.
In January 2018, the GS received thicker sportier rear roll bars across the range.
NB, I don't have much experience driving the 450h and zero experience with AWD, so I don't know how these models handle/ride over the 8-year model cycle.
The 2013 GS450h is softer than the 2013 GS350 RWD from my memory.
From my memory, the Base trim without the AVS electronic valve shock absorbers have firmer damping and more tied down sporty ride compared to the Luxury trim with AVS on the regular Economy/Normal/Sport mode.
The shock absorber [damper] part numbers below are for the AVS electronic valve shock absorbers used on both Luxury and F Sport trims.
Although the AVS shock absorber part numbers are exactly the same, keep in mind that the F Sport trim uses sportier software mapping to the Luxury trim.
For Base trim shock absorber part numbers, refer to websites like www.lexusparts.com .
The GS200t/300 2.0T uses the exact same suspension part numbers as the GS350 V6 RWD.
Pete great info. So would this be the newest of the 2018 + Sway bars? F&R the thicker ones?
Yes, the 2016 got new thicker front roll bars.
Only the January 2018 onwards got thicker rear roll bars.
Apart from purchasing the roll bar itself in the link above, you must also purchase "larger brackets" to fasten the thicker new roll bars.
The roll bar itself does not come with the larger brackets; the larger brackets are sold separately AFAIK.
10-09-22 | 01:16 AM
2016+ - Sportiest setup
I thought it was something additional...
