Hi All,

Not sure if this is the right subforum, but I will give it a shot. Mods, feel free to move elsewhere in the site.

In January we got a certified 2016 ES350 for my wife as our first Lexus after mostly European vehicles. I have enjoyed the Lexus very much with the exception of the overly light steering. I will say that sport mode firms up the steering to a greater extent than on our Volvo or Porsche, but even in sport the steering is very light.

The ES needed service and we had a UX for a loaner. The steering was a little heavier in that model. Although I don’t like the UX, I was wondering if the GS, IS or NX would have much better steering weight than our ES.

Those who have owned or driven the current gen of those models, please let me know your thoughts on this matter. Thanks in advance!!

 

The answer is yes, the "sportier" RWD based Lexus models like the IS and GS will have heavier weight to the steering.

 

Thanks for this input. Is the steering in the GS and IS similar, or is one heavier? Any difference between F-Sport and regular versions in this aspect?

 

They are similar in the same spec. The F-Sport versions of both cars have a Sport+ where steering is much heavier...the suspension also becomes stiffer because of the adaptive suspension.

 

I wish my AWD LS had lighter steering. Darn electric power steering!

 

i would imagine that all LSs had the lightest of all steering to cater to that type of demographic, and that electric power steering would also contribute to a more numb feeling?

 

The 460 has weightier steering than previous LS generations for sure.

 

Lexus probably wanted heavy European touring car style feel for the LS460. In my experience the LS400s steering was number than the LS460s, but was smoother and lighter. The steering smoothness was one of my favorite things about my old 96 LS400 especially after I refurbished its PS system.

I have no idea what the LS500s steering is like but I have to imagine that it feels better than the 460s steering.

 

My IS had decently heavy steering, especially compared to something like a 2016 ES. I seem to remember the 2019 ES loaner I had having heavier steering, but not as heavy as the IS. If I recall correctly, both the ES and RX had very light steering, with the NX being slightly heavier. After that, you have cars like the IS, RC, etc. I have not driven a GS, but the IS and RC felt pretty much identical.

 

The latest ES is heavier steering, but still very light.

 

Hm, yeah now that you mention it, I think it was pretty light. Maybe it's the new steering wheel, or the rack, but either way, it feels substantially more connected than the last-gen model to me. It's definitely not as over-boosted as something like an Altima, which has a quick rack but also very light steering. The new ES has a better balance of steering ratio and weight. The older one had a slower rack which may only serve to highlight how little feel there was to it.

 

GS F-Sport steering weight is definitely on the heavier side, regardless of what drive mode you're in. The steering feel is fantastic though. Lexus seems to be one of the only manufacturers who've got a grip on electric power steering and know how to make it feel direct and connected to the road, yet still refined and luxurious.

I do wish, every now and then, for a "comfort" type mode where the steering weight was what you'd think it would be like when you think of a "typical Lexus."

 

when i think light steering, i think older caddys that i could steer with my pinky! my LS400 was very light indeed almost to the caddy's degree, but for sure the newer models got heavier.

 

Exactly the commentary I was looking for! Looks like I should try an IS first.

 

Thanks to all for your feedback. Any NX or GS owners, I’d love to hear your thoughts.