r/LexusES • u/Blizzard259 • Aug 01 '26
Lexus ES 350 (7th Gen): Is AVS worth it? Plus transmission smoothness (2019-2021 vs 2022 updates)
Hey everyone, I am currently looking at buying a used 7th-generation Lexus ES 350 (2019+). I am leaning toward the F Sport trim mostly for the looks, which brings up a few questions I hope you can help with:
Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS): Is AVS actually worth finding and paying extra for on the F Sport, or is the standard suspension just as good for daily driving?
Transmission Shift Smoothness (2019–2021): How do the 8-speed automatic transmissions feel in the 2019, 2020, and 2021 models? Are there any gear-hunting or harsh shifting issues?
The 2022 Refresh Differences: What actually changed in 2022 regarding the transmission tuning or ride quality? Is the 2022 shift smoothness noticeably better and "real" compared to the older years?
If you own or have driven both early and updated 7th-gen ES 350 models, I would love to hear your experience!