ravicchio

Curious how much difference there is between the Sport setting and the Sport + setting.
I just purchased a 2014 IS 350 ( Not F sport ) and I know the numbers look close but
I was curious how much quicker the Sport + feels. I know it tightens up the suspension but
I'm fine with the way the base model handles. I really do not feel that the car is all that fast.
I have waited to put on over 1,000 miles to see if she would open up a bit. The car is not
slow, but it isn't all that fast either. I love the car. I had an older ( 2003 ) Audi S6 Avant
with 340hp and when you stepped on the gas you were pinned to the seat. A friend of mine
with a Corvette said the Audi felt much quicker. I know it's 40 more HP and the Audi was a
V8 but the 0 to 60 numbers on paper look the same for both cars. Big difference in the feel
behind the wheel. Besides that I love the car and happy with my purchase. My first Lexus.

aTeAse

I dont think theres much difference from a dig. But I suspect faster cornering time with Sport+, due to AVS.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

They're the same save for while Sport does transmission, Sport+ does transmission, steering feel and suspension.

IS350S2K

The steering is a lot tighter but I ordered the vgrs. The throttle response seems the same as sport.

JDR76

At least on non-F Sports, the Sport mode also changes the steering. It's a noticeable difference. So it's steering, throttle, and transmission. So no, Sport + would not be faster in acceleration, but should handle better.

dbs600

Does anyone feel their car pull to the left, ever so slightly, in Sport + mode?

ravicchio

Thanks for all the responses.
Bought the Lexus for reliability as I plan to drive it into the ground.

UncleSpud

No. I drive in Sport+ mode most of the time, and the car is arrow straight.

dbs600

Hmm; thanks.

Slash300zx

Wait until you hit about 4000 miles.... she really opens up then and will feel much better

dbs600

Why? What changes at about 4k miles? Mine has nearly 3k miles on it now...

Slust

Well that is the torque you are feeling with the V8 in the S6 - about 40τ more in the S6 Avant. That torque difference will give you that better off the line feel.

I punched it like a dummy (still want to break my car in - only 300 miles on it) on Friday night and I was at the very least 1/2-3/4 mile up the road before the car behind me finished making their left turn. I had cars speeding up to 90-100mph to catch me after I slowed to 60 but then wouldn't pass me. It can't hang with a V8 or a supercharged S4 but it does the job quite well.


The non F-Sport won't suffer in performance. The suspension and steering tightening is a noticeable change from S to S+. The shift points are different and the car will hang on to lower gears a lot longer too. When I punched it I hit redline in every gear to 4th gear, which is why I am regretting my Friday night joyride before dinner. Don't get me wrong, the car still drives perfectly fine but I really don't recommend redlining a car during the break in period.

TheShaddix

To be honest I cannot tell any difference in those two modes. I have the 350 fsport...The shifting times are identical, the steering, even from normal to sport+, feels only slightly tighter but not enough to write home about. I also had some pretty quick cars before, one with 420 whp, and a 335i chipped. I know exactly what you mean about being pinned to your seat. But I didn't get the IS chasing power, and I'm very happy with the car despite some of its little shortcomings which I'm slowly trying to change with some mods. Mostly I hate how quiet it is overall, even compared to my 335i. There is no exhaust tone, and the engine sounds really whiny unless you punch it, but these are easy to fix with mods. And I think it actually has a lot of torque for what it is. It's the first thing that I was really impressed about, how instant and strong the torque felt above 3-4k. And, of course, the shifting is incredible compared to other cars (unless it's dual clutch). That was pretty much the selling point for me when I was test driving it. Plus after countless speeding tickets I think of fast cars a bit differently now...They are great and all, but for daily driving just a bit pointless. For me it's about the looks and quality inside and out, and Lexus delivers in that regard.

ravicchio

Yes, i completely agree with the last post.

IS350S2K

Do you guys have the vgrs? It is really noticeable in sport+.