Your opinions on throttle response?
Thread Starter
Pole Position
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 370
Likes: 9
From: Illinois
Your opinions on throttle response?
Does anyone else besides me think that the Lexus IS needs some work when it comes to throttle response? I have driven both a 2nd and 3rd generation IS350 and whenever I step on the gas, it takes too long for the power to kick in. It takes almost half a second until I finally lurch forward. I drove a 1998 Honda Accord for a few years and even that car responded immediately after I push the gas. I know that Sport and Sport+ mode is what we need for throttle sensitivity, but it just feels weird how a piece of junk can react better and faster then the Lexus.
Is there anyone out there who knows about throttle response/sensitivity? Why Lexus is like this? Thanks.
Is there anyone out there who knows about throttle response/sensitivity? Why Lexus is like this? Thanks.
Thread Starter
Pole Position
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 370
Likes: 9
From: Illinois
So I'm not the only one haha. I feel like if they improved in this area then it would improve the fun factor in this car. Or maybe I should just drive in Sport/Sport+ for all my trips.
Use Sport if you don't like the tip in in Normal. Eco, Normal and Sport all offer something different. These 250/350's have nice linear power delivery from their NA and smooth 6/8-speed transmissions. The GS is also the same. Keep in mind your Accord was FWD = no driveshaft sending power to the rear wheels so it should be more immediate.
Thread Starter
Pole Position
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 370
Likes: 9
From: Illinois
Use Sport if you don't like the tip in in Normal. Eco, Normal and Sport all offer something different. These 250/350's have nice linear power delivery from their NA and smooth 6/8-speed transmissions. The GS is also the same. Keep in mind your Accord was FWD = no driveshaft sending power to the rear wheels so it should be more immediate.
The pursuit of F
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,296
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From: Toronto, Canada
From my 2IS 250 to my 3IS 250, it's much improved and very sensitive to throttle input especially in Sport mode and on takeoff. It snaps you back immediately. Much better than the somewhat laggy RX F-Sport w/8-speed or the NX's 2L Turbo 6-speed.
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Rookie
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 80
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From: CA
It is a bit dead in normal mode compared to what my BMW was.. but I don't mind it. Driving casually around town its fine because it keeps me from going too fast, but as soon as you flip it into sport mode, hang on because it really takes off immediately
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Driver
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 108
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From: CA
I also notice the gas pedal feels tighter, which causes a delayed power response, unless I press hard. Compared to an 07 Honda Accord V6 I also have, it does seem to have a slight delay, even though the IS350 has more overall power.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 551
Likes: 6
From: IL
My 2IS definitely had better response than my 3IS. In the 2IS I never really had to floor it to get the car to jump. I have to mash the peddle all the way to the floor to get the 3IS to jump. I blame the tranny tho. The 8 speed is a POS.
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Joined: Feb 2011
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From: IL
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Last edited by kinglexus99; Mar 13, 2022 at 08:00 AM.
Lexus Champion
Joined: May 2014
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From: CT
+1 Same argument from my cuz. He had an '06 IS350 and bought a '14 IS350 F-Sport AWD. He claims the 2IS was faster than his new ride!
Thread Starter
Pole Position
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 370
Likes: 9
From: Illinois
I always thought it was the placement of the pedal. In the 2IS, I can use just the tip of my foot to push down on the pedal. On the 3IS, the pedal is placed so that I must have my entire foot on the pedal to be able to push it down.
Pole Position
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 276
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From: Florida
I'm happy with the throttle response in normal (actually even in ECO), I just don't like that the transmission is reluctant to downshift beyond 7th gear in daily traffic in normal and ECO modes. Sport is too aggressive to be useful in daily driving with the transmission programming when it really needs to be in a gear higher (5th instead of 4th etc etc...).