kevinm123

I can’t tell the difference between sport and sport+. The suspensions might be a tad stiffer, but I feel no difference at all in the steering feel. The steering doesn’t get any stiffer.

I’m thinking something might be wrong with my car. Before I ask Lexus to take a look, I would like some feedback from people that own the Luxury package

I have already read that in the F sport package, you can really tell the difference, but my question is specific to the Luxury package.

jjscsix

I definitely feel a difference in the transmission and suspension. I also feel a difference in the steering, but not as big of a difference.

bclexus

I think you may be a bit confused about the difference between Sport and Sport+ variable drive modes.

JDR76

On the IS, the differences (in steering, shifting, throttle) really occur between Norm and Sport modes. Sport + is pretty much the same as Sport, but with suspension changes. Is it not that way on the GS?

bclexus

Yes...that's correct.

fuddyduddy

Sport+ mode in my car holds the suspension very steady around turns and the steering wheel requires more force to turn it.

kevinm123

can you elaborate please? Sport+ should have stiffer steering and suspensions as compared to sport. What's confusing about that?

bclexus

I believe the only difference you should be detecting is that the suspension has stiffer dampening in Sport+ mode, which you said you might have detected...and you would be correct As for the steering - I believe the heavier steering feedback in Sport and Sport+ is the same, and you detected that there was no difference...and you would be correct. But, you then said; "I’m thinking something might be wrong with my car." And with that comment it prompted me to say; if you were looking for anything more or anything different between the Sport mode versus the Sport+ mode (from what you correctly detected) I think you may be a bit confused about the difference between Sport and Sport+ variable drive modes.

rijc99

Sport changes the throttle response.
Sport+ is the Sport throttle response PLUS tightened shocks and rack n pinion. So you should feel a difference in the way the steering responds.

The steering feel is most noticeable on F Sport RWD because that is the model with VGRS. Without VGRS the Sport+ will dial back power steering boost but the rack gear ratio is still the same.

bclexus

Forget about the F-Sport - because the topic is about a GS 350 Luxury Package and the difference(s) of Sport mode versus Sport+ mode. Also, forget about the engine throttle response and also the transmission shift characteristics because both Sport mode and Sport+ mode provide exactly the same for those two things. That said, the only things that remain are the suspension and the steering. We already know that only Sport+ mode changes the suspension. And, we already know that the Sport mode changes the steering response. All that said, the only question that remains to be answered is - in a Luxury Package GS 350 does Sport+ mode 'further' change the steering in some way (e.g. even heavier feel over what Sport mode provides or a change in ratio, etc.) beyond what the Sport mode already changes the steering?

rijc99

Sorry, when I said throttle response I was thinking of computer shift logic and input as one.

So yes Sport S changes the shift points and throttle response. The Sport S+ adds in changes to shocks and steering. Sport S does nothing to the steering settings. So there is no further change that occurs from Sport S to Sport S+ as THE change occurs at Sport S+.

Scroll down to the variable driving modes pop out.
http://www.lexus.com/models/GS/features#

bclexus

Going to Sport mode does indeed change the steering response. The question is - does Sport+ mode 'further' change the steering in some way beyond what the Sport mode already has changed the steering?

rijc99

Not according to Lexus

http://www.lexus.com/models/GS/features#

XFactor7

It seems so unless I'm mis-interpreting what that link says.

Here's what Lexus says (from the link provided by rijc99 a couple posts above):

Sport S/S+ Mode
Sport S mode changes the gauge cluster lighting to a fiery red and alters the powertrain for faster gear changes and more dynamic throttle mapping. Available Sport S+ mode goes a step further by also tightening the suspension and increasing steering response. In both modes, the transmission's shift points are automatically altered coming into and out of corners for sharper acceleration.

rijc99

Exactly, according to Lexus... there is no change in steering setting from Normal to Sport S. The change takes place from S to S+