The Lexus site has a video explaining the KDSS.

http://www.lexus.com/models/video_popup/kdss.html

 

I flew halfway across the country to pick up my 2006 Cypress GX with KDSS...

And don't regret it one bit.

Drive both. If you don't, you're just basing your decision of a $50K+ purchase on what the dealer is telling you, and they have a vested interest in you NOT getting KDSS (easier to sell you from their stock).

This isn't rocket science - they are hard to find, your dealer doesn't have one... OF COURSE they are going to tell you that you don't need it.

Personally, I drove both and made an ECUCATED decision. I refused to have it any other way. And am glad I did.

 

I would not recommend to anyone to take a sudden sharp turn at 70 mph on any SUVs. Although, the KDSS have stiffer sway bars, the GX still have a high center of gravity and will flip over even with the KDSS. Please do not confuse KDSS with anti roll technology found in the Volvo XC90.

 

I'm in agreement with that, except I wouldn't take a sharp turn with a XC90 either. Just because you have Anti-Roll doesn't mean you'll be in good shape after taking a sharp turn at 70.

 

Are you the same trebien from freshalloy?

 

I am. I've got a 2005 G35 as well.

 

Ok...how do you like the GX? I am looking to get rid of the 05 Pathy and want the 06 GX sport edition(kdss and all the other stuff with it) Black onyx, dark grey leather with the dark bird-eye maple trim, Nav, rear spoiler, tow package.ect. Have not desided about the rear dvd or third row seat yet. Anything else I should be concerned with, except the 3 month wait for the truck? Any info would help. Thanks

 

My 06 Sport/ fully loaded is great. It does handle well in corners - and yes it is no BMW or Porsche - but handles very well - -ALL GXs actually distributes power to rear (~70%+) in corners for better handling. Clearly the larger sway bar for the KDSS makes the difference - nothing surprising as that is a key upgrade most folks do when they want to have flatter handling in corners. Lexus website claims sway bar is twice the size of regular .....

I don't go offroading but sure enough my dealer tried to claim not worth it unless offroading....... I did not drive the non KDSS version since I wanted as much 'sportiness' as one can expect from a SUV this size - - and I know sway bars make a big difference. It is also great/ comfortable on highways - not a stiff ride. GX still sways in strong winds though.......anyway if you really want it flat put in full sport mode - -quite a difference vs normal mode. Enjoy!

 

Thanks GGGXXX good info. My dealer also said "if your not doing any real offroading you dont need KDSS." I do take the trucks on the beach and in the mountains for MT. Biking/skiing, not extreme offroading by hey its not pavement. And I do want a stiffer ride. Thanks again for the info.

 

I love it. I considered a loaded 2006 4WD Pathy LE, but just couldn't get excited about the trruck. Maybe if there was an Infiniti version with more features and a better interior... but there isn't. I currently have a 2001 2WD Pathy LE. I think the GX drives better, even though it is considerably bigger/heavier. I think the 2001 and the new PAthy feel about the same. The new Pathy feels a little bigger on the road, but has a better suspension and bigger engine, so they perform about the same.

The GX was almost $20K more... and I still don't care. I like it that much.

You can see by the sig that I have the KDSS. I didn't want the sport package, becuase I prefer the regular colored wood.

I actually drove both models - with AND without KDSS. For this size vehicle, I wouldn't have bought it without KDSS. Plus, like you, I go camping, mtn biking, etc. I won't do the Rubicon in it... but it will see a fair share of dirt and rocks. The KDSS really tightens up the on-road handling, despite what a dealer will tell you... a dealer that doesn't have any KDSS in stock.

The salesman at the local dealership had never even seen a KDSS GX470. He said "I don't think you need that on road - let me go ask my sales manager". Then came back and said "My sales manager said it doesn't make ANY difference on the road." I looked him straight in the eyes and said "Your sales manager is full of ****." and walked out.

You're going to take a bath on the resale of the 1 year old Pathy, but you already know that.

I have no regrets on the purchase of the GX. I felt silly spending that much on an SUV that would actually see off-road duty, but I don't care. It's a great vehicle that should serve me well for a long time.

 

Great..Thanks for the reply. If all goes as planned I will be ordering my GX with in a week or two. Well see whats really out there as far as the options I want. I could do with out the Dark maple trim if I can find a GX with the KDSS, 3rd row seat and rear dvd. And yes I know about the Bath I am going to take for the Pathy but I got my shower cap on b/c i like the GX that much . I like the Pathfinder, but I HATE NISSAN Corp and all the dealers on LI. And dealing with them for another 5-7 years or so would be like pulling out my finger nails with a pair of plyers and thats enough for me to say bye-bye to nissan. I had a 4-runner for 9 years, loved the company, truck and the dealer, but when it was time for something new I didnt like the new 4-Runner. My brother in law was always big on Lexus and had nothing but praise for the dealership. Again thanks for the info.

 

Included in the $1,800 Sport Package or available as a stand-alone option for $1,750, KDSS has been added to just 12 percent of the GX 470’s that have rolled off showroom floors in 2005.
That’s an appalling figure, given how KDSS totally transforms the driving experience. KDSS is definitely worth it for the more sure-footed highway response alone. And a more responsive vehicle is an inherently safer vehicle.

 

BTW -

Rumor has it that in the near future, the KDSS will no longer be equipped from the factory except for specific dealer-ordered vehicles. In other words, unless the dealer specifically requests it, Lexus won't be putting it on the vehicle.

Which, I agree... is a shame. I believe they really mis-market the option as being "off-road" only in terms of benefits. The dealers have little choice but to go along with that marketing, since they can hardly get KDSS to begin with. On a car of this caliber, it may as well be standard IMO.

In my search, many of the KDSS vehicels I found did not have the RSES. However, from what I hear, all KDSS vehicles ordered for the southern region come with the RSES by default, so your best bet may be to search the southern region.

Good luck.

 

KDSS guys, does it allow you to control the height of the suspension [like the range rovers] or can you only pick from soft, hard. etc..?

 

KDSS doesnt do any of that. The air suspension allows you to control the height, but only in the rear and up to 8 mph. The adaptive suspension allows you to adjust suspension's stiffness. The KDSS will automatically add stiffness to your sway bars on turns and high speed lane changes, it also allow for more wheel travel in off road situations.