I've been driving a 2015 RX 450 Premium for 6 years and I'm intending to trade in soon.
The only complaint I have about it is the firm suspension. On the Premium it's just basic suspension. I'd appreciate some comments about AVS. Most of what I can find about it says it stiffens up at higher speeds but does it start off with a smoother, softer ride than my present car.
Any information gratefully received.

 

Hi,

I have an RX450h the same generation as yours. It does not have AVS. In SPORT mode, it increases the throttle response and the steering becomes more direct and heavier. However, the suspension stays the same. I find the ride to be definitely firmer (and the chassis rigidity) than my previous 2008 RX400h, which felt like the chassis was made of Jell-o and jiggled everywhere and a spongy overboosted steering so I was happy to sell that RX400h and buy an RX450h as a replacement since it feels so much more precise and direct, but it is still something I would not call stiff at all. For an SUV, it is on the firmer side, but still very compliant and soft in the grand scheme of things. Again, my other car is a Lexus RCF CF/TVD that is probably 4 or 5 times stiffer than my RX450h so it is all relative to what you are used to.

I recently drove (and potentially intending on purchasing a 2015 RX350 F-Sport, which is very noticeably stiffer than my RX450h and feels more sportier with different shocks/springs and lateral Yamaha dampers. That definitely felt more stiffer over bumpy roads than my RX450h. In short, Ito answer your question, we don't have AVS in our RX450h. would look into getting the dampers checked to see if they are functioning properly and also tires could be another factor. What type of tires are you running and do you happen to have run flats by any chance?

 

Few RX in the US have AVS or the air suspension. Why are you asking about it now if you are trading it in? What are you getting to replace it?
Anything new will be a completely different design and suspension tune. You will have to test drive any potential new vehicles to decide for yourself if they have a better ride.
You should also check reviews on youtube or car and driver or motor trend magazines etc for comments on ride quality etc.

 

In general; any car with air suspension(or adaptive suspension) will ride better overall than a car with the basic suspension. However, air suspension(or active) systems tend to be very expensive to replace and many owners just swap to them out a basic setup when they fail. The basic setup will be a bit firmer by default over an adaptive air spring setup that can go from very soft to even stiffer than the basic setup depending on road conditions or drive modes.

I am sure the same is true with AVS on the RX450.