[Daniel]

Yeah, the smoothness give you a feeling that you are not going anywhere. When I let my brother drive and I sat in the passenger sit, I was thinking why is he going so slow (he usually doesn't)? But when I looked at the speedometer and listen to the engine carefully (and you do have to because it is so quiet), the car was actually accelerating pretty well. Also, I do notice that the car does not downshift right away if you are not in the power mode (but still better than my dad's GS300 and RX 300). The best thing to do is when you feel like passing someone, put it into the Manual mode and downshift, then you will get some really nice passing power (even under 4000 rpm). I just did it yesterday, it was fun.

Daniel

 

[Daniel]

Actually, you should expect that already if you have driven other Lexus. I sometimes get frustrated driving my dad's GS because it doesn't downshift at all unless you really hit the gas pedal hard and all the way to the bottom. Samething with the RX300. The IS is much better, I only have to go 1/4 of the way and be kind of fast on the pedal to force it to downshift. I suggest using the manual mode because you can control when to downshift like you are in a stick, so the acceleration timing will be what you expect. Remember, no computer can read your thought, no even the best Auto in the world.

 

[Daniel]

Just like others said, it is the personality of the car. I am still trying to figure out the way the transmission like to behave, but I have notice sometime that it will downshift right away when I want it to. Now I just have to figure out what this pattern is.
BTW, I know the MB and BMW Auto downshift at higher rpm than the Lexus, but I also notice that the shifting is much rougher for the Germans. I guess you can't have both.

Daniel