As a 2016 GS F owner, I've been curious about the new adaptive dampers on the 2017 model. Was it worth the upgrade? Did it make a difference?

I finally got behind the seat of a 2017 model year and here is what I noticed -

• Drastic decrease in vibrations - The 2017 has a quite noticeable decrease in vibrations coming from the suspension. This is the biggest difference between 2016 and 2017. You still feel all of the same bumps as 2016 but these bumps are managed better in the 2017.
• Less suspension noise - Bumps don't sound as harsh in the 2017.
• Less tossing over uneven smooth surfaces - 2017's does a better job preventing tossing side-to-side, but it isn't a huge improvement.
• Improvement most notable at lower speeds; highway speeds - The 2016 suspension setup is strong on the highway. 2017 improvements don't really show up on the highway.
• Larger impacts are about the same but not as sharp - I did not notice an increase in ride quality over large bumps outside that the 2017 model didn't feel as sudden at lower speeds. Bigger bumps are equally felt in both model years.
• Reduction in road feel- The new suspension doesn't send as much road feel into the cabin as 2016.
• Sport+ is firmer than 2016 setup - 2017 Sport+ is quite firm. The ride is much firmer than the 2016 passive dampers setup. Despite the firmer ride in Sport+, road vibrations are still reduced.
• Non-sporty ride in Eco and Normal - In the non-sport modes, the car felt like a F-Sport model with a tiny increase in stiffness. In the 2017, most passengers would not know that the GS F is a sports saloon.

Overall, the new adaptive dampers are a noticeable improvement over the passive Sachs setup. If you are in the market for a 2017 and this will be your daily driver, I recommend the adaptive dampers. Is it worth trading in your 2016 to get these new dampers? No. The 2016 ride is quite livable and rides well for a sports saloon. Also, it is a huge knock on 2017 that it locks the suspension settings with other mechanical elements of the car via drive modes. Driving in Sport+ in 2017 on the road will feel over-dampened on most roads. Like with AMG and M, all F's should give the driver the choice on damper settings in any mode.

When it comes to ride quality, I give both cars the following rating -
2016 GS F: B-
2017 GS F: B+.

 

To me, 2016 gives a more compose ride than 2017. Like you mention, you do lose a bit of road feel on adaptive suspension.
I do like the luxury of Normal mode on 2017 when I am giving a ride for people who prefer comfort, but I would rather have more road feel on the 2016.

Not sure why Lexus doesn't give 2017 a way to adjust suspension separately and other setting. I do find that a bit annoyed.

Overall, I like the 2016 better than 2017 for the suspension part, the real difference for me is the PCS+.
Not sure why in the world they didn't included that in 2016, the ACC in traffic is really useful compare to the crappy one that stop at speed of 30mph.

 

I agree with you. I drove the 2017 on a track and it felt more mushy and floaty compared to the 2016. The 2016, despite that it is more firm, is much more buttoned down to the road. The 2017 leaned more in corners.

 

Nice write-up and thanks for posting.