AHC 470 vs. 570 Ride Quality

[razzyrazz]

Picked up a 570 in October and we love it. Huge fans of the AHC. Wont bore you with all the reasons why it's great for us, but we use all 3 comfort setting and all 3 height settings for various reasons and love the utility. Also the ride quality is excellent in our opinion.

We are looking at a 470 to be a local kid hauler since I work from home and the 570 is my wifes DD. Will also take it to the narrow trails out here where we don't want to stratch up the sides of the 570.

So finally to the question....those of you that have owned both, how is the ride quality of the 2? Is the comfort and utility in the 570 suspension similar to the 470. I've read about the potential reliability and cost of the 470 AHC, but wouldnt hesitate to spend the money to keep the AHC if it's on par with the 570. I test drove a local 470, but that is nothing like having the time from owning one. Thanks.

 

[TeCKis300]

I owned an '06 LX470 prior to my current LX570. I likewise enjoy AHC and utilize all modes, and have experienced its breadth of competency in DD, canyon carving, off-road, and towing. Fair to say, I know both vehicles. Very well.

Ride quality wise, both are beyond reproach and luxury sedan smooth in eating up straight line miles effortlessly. Wouldn't expect any less from a top of the line "Lexus" SUV. Both benefit from AHC flushes with renewed fluid bringing renewed plushness.

That said, I'll tease out differences:

1. Wheel diameter, LX470 on 18s, LX570 on 20s. There is more tire slap from the use of 20s on the newer LX. This follows the trend of every other luxury car that has upsized wheels. There's no real impact harshness that reaches the driver, but the thwack can be slightly more evident on the 570.
2. LX470 feels softer. Said another way LX570 overall feels tighter with tighter body control. It's not stiffer in its ride necessarily, but more control overall as there's less body roll, less secondary suspension motions. This carries over to its controls too, Including steering/throttle/brakes, that take more effort. This follows Lexus's generational differences where there 90s designed vehicles were fingertip effortless.
3. Handing - the LX570 has way more ultimate body control. On account of it having a dynamically available secondary spring rate on its front axle to reduce roll and dive. The LX470 when loaded heavy on very tight secondary roads can still be may to lean heavily. The LX570, when pushed hard will still corner and brake flat. Actually pretty amazing in its ability to do that. The LX470 feels for agile as it is a bit lighter (if that could be a word ever used for a Land Cruiser!), relative to the LX570 that is more controlled and deliberate. While the LX470 can be more fun, the LX570 would destroy the LX470 in pace on account of it having more power, suspension control, and brakes.
4. Load handling / capacity. The LX470 AHC could be maxed out readily and have to resort to "L", or can't go to "H" somewhere around 1300lbs payload. The LX570 has much payload ability in this regard as I've been to 1800lbs payload before it won't want to go to high in steep uphills where most of the load is on the single rear axle. Both systems can be augmented for more load handling with spacers and more spring (easy torsion on 100) preload.
5. Off-road. I enjoyed both systems here. The LX570 has more overall articulation. And more height in "H" mode. Both can can walk on stilts for max clearance and bomb down washes effortlessly. The newer LX570 system has more hardware within the AHC systems like gas relief chambers, hydraulic controllers, secondary spring rate (as mentioned earlier), faster processor, so it's just more advanced overall.
6. LX470 is AHC with "sky-hook" control strategy. LX570 utilizes X-AHC with a different "body posture" control methodology logic. Both are derivatives of kinetic suspension technology but absolutely unique and bespoke dynamic suspension architectures compared to any other suspension out there. Only other thing that's similar and sold today is implemented by McLaren. I believe Nissan also released a similar system for markets outside of the US. KDSS in other Toyota products is a passive simpler system meant only to address roll (while maintaining articulation).

 

[RyanR]

Just a random data point on the robust load ability of the LX570 AHC.

I picked up 26 rubber gym mats 3/4" x 6' x 4' solid rubber a tad over 100lbs each in the LX570. The AHC will not adjust with any of the doors open and by the time the loading dock guys got the last mat loaded the rear axle was just about on the bump stops. Closed the rear hatch and it raised up to normal ride height. No over pressure warning and it drove amazingly well for having such a stupid amount of weight right on the rear axle.