I was away for a while, but I’m back with a 2023
IS350 Fsport purchased in November.

I am curious about some perceived differences in the drive modes of the 2023 IS350 Fsport when compared to my old 2017 IS300 Fsport.

2017
ECO: sluggish as a daily driver
NORMAL: more responsive throttle than ECO
SPORT: perky as a daily driver; holds gears dramatically; not useful for merging on to the expressway, as the engine revved like crazy with a long lag in getting to speed; steering tightened

2023
ECO: very responsive throttle as a daily driver
NORMAL: more responsive throttle
SPORT: increased throttle response; smooth acceleration without the lag when merging on the expressway, steering tightening.

Since both cars have the 6-speed I’m surprised by the absence of the annoying lag in the sport mode on the 2023. I am wondering how much the 350 vs 300 difference is contributing?

 

As a prior 2021 IS 350 owner, I disagree on the throttle of Eco being responsive. However, I'd say that the IS, in general, has a less-touchy throttle setup than most other newer cars I've driven. Even my IS 500 is kind of a softie in Eco. I never use Eco, but I've tried it and found the responsiveness to be similarly dull to how it is in an IS 350.

Throttle lag has been present in every IS I've driven in every drive mode. Sport mode seems to help, but I am not sure whether it is in my head.

 

Thanks as usual!!! I’m just sayin’ that my 2023 IS350 in
the ECO mode seems more responsive than my old 2017
IS300 in the ECO mode. Well it is a 350 vs 300, yes?
Anyway, my overall comparison after a month or so
is that my 300 floated like a butterfly, and the 350
stings like a bee. It is a beast compared to my old 300,
IMHO, YMMV.