missile

I had a 2022 IS350, but it recently got totaled and I'm thinking about getting an IS500. I haven't driven an IS500 yet, so I'm wondering if there is a big difference in how driving the IS500 feels compared to an IS350.

jororo

@wthrman2 would have the perfect insight.

My understanding is the driving difference is virtually indistinguishable from an IS350 with the dynamic handling package other than obviously having a ton more power, much better sound, and maybe being a tad more nose heavy.

geckornr

The V8 completely changes the car, IMO. Yes it's still an IS and yes they are similar, but the weight, NVH, balance, smoothness, and power delivery are all very different due to the V8 in the IS 500.

95bat

I test drove a 350 since the 500 wasn't out yet. I got a good enough idea of the car from the 350 to feel comfortable ordering the 500. Power and V8 sounds were the biggest difference obviously. I felt like comfort, ride quality, amentities, etc were all the same.

snowyblue

i had a 22 350 awd, and its really night and day when going to a v8 rwd. its prob closer with a 350 rwd dhp, but the v8 completely changes how the car drives

arentz07

I echo what others have said. I went from a 2021 IS 350 to a 2023 IS 500. In many ways, they feel similar. However, having the V-8 completely changes the vibe. It helps that the V-8 provides a lot more low-end torque.

604GSE21

driving dynamic should be very similar between 350 and 500 cuz that's what the Lexus Driving Signature mean.

Avi8orco

I had a 350 before I bought my 500. The 500 is heavy and you feel it in the steering but with over 1.5x the HP coming from the motor, you certainly don’t feel its weight accelerating. It doesn’t try and hide what it’s packing under the hood, even under normal acceleration, and with the ASC off, the V8 likes to sing its tune.

I much prefer the transmission of the 350 however, it was way smoother. The 500 has a very unrefined feel, and occasionally clunking into gear, especially allowing it to decelerate on its own by letting it coast and downshift to an upcoming stoplight.