When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I had a 2022 IS350, but it recently got totaled and I'm thinking about getting an IS500. I haven't driven an IS500 yet, so I'm wondering if there is a big difference in how driving the IS500 feels compared to an IS350.
My understanding is the driving difference is virtually indistinguishable from an IS350 with the dynamic handling package other than obviously having a ton more power, much better sound, and maybe being a tad more nose heavy.
The V8 completely changes the car, IMO. Yes it's still an IS and yes they are similar, but the weight, NVH, balance, smoothness, and power delivery are all very different due to the V8 in the IS 500.
I test drove a 350 since the 500 wasn't out yet. I got a good enough idea of the car from the 350 to feel comfortable ordering the 500. Power and V8 sounds were the biggest difference obviously. I felt like comfort, ride quality, amentities, etc were all the same.
i had a 22 350 awd, and its really night and day when going to a v8 rwd. its prob closer with a 350 rwd dhp, but the v8 completely changes how the car drives
I echo what others have said. I went from a 2021 IS 350 to a 2023 IS 500. In many ways, they feel similar. However, having the V-8 completely changes the vibe. It helps that the V-8 provides a lot more low-end torque.
I had a 350 before I bought my 500. The 500 is heavy and you feel it in the steering but with over 1.5x the HP coming from the motor, you certainly don’t feel its weight accelerating. It doesn’t try and hide what it’s packing under the hood, even under normal acceleration, and with the ASC off, the V8 likes to sing its tune.
I much prefer the transmission of the 350 however, it was way smoother. The 500 has a very unrefined feel, and occasionally clunking into gear, especially allowing it to decelerate on its own by letting it coast and downshift to an upcoming stoplight.
I much prefer the transmission of the 350 however, it was way smoother. The 500 has a very unrefined feel, and occasionally clunking into gear, especially allowing it to decelerate on its own by letting it coast and downshift to an upcoming stoplight.
I agree with all that. I has a 21 IS350 AWD with the 6-speed transmission before going to the IS500. The 350 was ultra, ultra smooth, but of course lacked up the pick-up of the IS500. The IS500 feels like a muscle car. The 350 did not feel like that. It felt like a "regular" sedan with decent power, decent handling. I wish the IS500 was stiffer. I need to find a way to stiffen it up. And of course, the IS500 desperately needs better tires
missile - as many have already pointed out, the difference between the IS 350 and IS 500 will not be significantly different provided that your IS 350 is RWD
As you know, the IS 350 AWD has the 6 speed transmission and obviously, will be AWD versus the RWD. I noticed some difference in the transmission and driving bias but all for the better (because I had the AWD) but overall, teh difference was not significant in how it handled but the power will be the thing you will notice the most - That V8 is just so sweet!! You will not regret it!
I had a 2022 IS350 DHP and traded up to a 2024 IS500.
Both cars felt different.
The IS350 felt lighter, transmission was smoother and had better throttle response. It was just missing the V8 power.
The IS500 feels heavier, is faster, sounds better and transmission is more erratic. The throttle response is odd and not as linear as the IS350 but you get used to it. Just have to put your foot further down than usual. So the IS500 is definitely not just an IS350 with a V8 in my opinion.
It all depends on what you want. Although both cars look the same, in my opinion, they are both different underneath. If I didn't want the sound or power, the IS350 is a better car. With the IS500, although it still drives and feels like a Lexus, it doesn't seem as refined as the IS350 I had. Sound and the extra power makes up for it though I guess.
Both cars felt different. It all depends on what you want.
Exactly. Unless you’re up in the mountains or canyons, the DHP does not illicit excitement on its own. The V8 though is THE ingredient to pull it all together. Canyons, Mountains, Highways, Surface Streets; no matter the environment, you’ll have an emotional reaction. Not so much with the 350.
Yeah the transmission is different (straight out of the RCF), but its harsher/analog nature fits the ethos of the 500. An old school muscle car with today’s safety tech.
The 500 can be smooth and aggressive. The 350 has a lock on smoothness, but doesn’t do aggressive well.
I had a 2021 IS 350 FSport with Dynamic Handling and RWD. The car was smooth, quick enough and it had a nice mid-range powerband. It was a lot of fun to drive and it felt nimble with good brakes.
I now have a 2022 IS 500, one of the first, now with 33,000 miles. The car is heavier and you can feel it's a bit less nimble and underbraked for a 3800+ pound car with nearly 500 hp. What I mean by underbraked isn't that it can't stop on a dime, but that I wouldn't want to have to do it several times in a row. The Lexus V8 is revvy and maybe not the ideal car if you live in a place with 60mph speed limits and aggressive law enforcement. Here in North Texas with 75 mph speed limits and little enforcement under 90 mph, the 500 makes more sense.
Other than a BSM problem which Lexus replacing the sensors as I type this, I had 8000 miles on the IS 350 and 33000 on the 500 with zero problems.
I'd recommend buying the IS 500. You really won't regret it.
Toyota and Lexus Join Mille Miglia For The First Time
Slideshow: A five-car lineup spanning more than five decades of Toyota performance and engineering will tackle one of Italy's most celebrated automotive routes.
Driving Feel: IS500 vs. IS350
