Pros: Strong, refined drivetrains in both regular and hybrid form; surprisingly nimble handling, particularly with the F Sport package
Cons: Back seat is more cramped than exterior size would suggest; some drivers dislike interface of Lexus Remote Touch system; steep price premium for hybrid model
CG Says: For 2017, Lexus GS gains more standard safety features. Lexus Safety System + (which includes pre-collision braking, pedestrian detection, and lane-departure mitigation) becomes standard on GS 220t and GS 350. Linear Adaptive Variable Suspension is now available on GS F. The Lexus GS is comfortable, reasonably sporty, and tastefully finished sedan. GS powertrain choices range from a 241-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder up to a 467-horsepower 5.0-liter V-8. The mid-range GS 350’s 311-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 is smooth and strong. All engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission—except for the all-wheel drive GS 350, which uses a six-speed automatic. Prices are steep, particularly as options are added, but overall the GS 350 holds its own well in the premium-midsize class. It strikes a decent balance between the sporty character of the BMW 5-Series and coddling of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, but the fact that it doesn’t really stand out in any one area might put the GS at a disadvantage among discerning luxury-car buyers. The GS F is a high-performance version of the GS sedan designed to compete with BMW M5, Mercedes-Benz AMG E63, and Cadillac CTS-V. The GS 450h hybrid is smooth, quiet, surprisingly fun to drive, and returns excellent fuel economy (more than 30 mpg in our testing). The 450h pairs a 3.5-liter V6 engine with an electric motor for a combined 338 horsepower. The 450h has a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The notion of being luxuriously green comes at a cost: more than $10,000 over the conventional Lexus GS 350, and it’s a chasm that grows wider as you add costly stand-alone and packaged options.
| Class | Premium Midsize Car |
| Body Style(s) | 4-door sedan |
| Passenger Count | 5 |
| Drive Wheels | rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive |
| Manufacturer | Lexus |
| Nation of Manufacture | Japan |
| Base Prices | GS 200t: $46,310 GS 200t F Sport: $53,980 GS 350: $50,695 AWD GS 350: $50,395 GS 350 F Sport: $54,810 AWD GS 350 F Sport: $56,555 GS 450h: $63,635 GS 450h F Sport: $68,680 GS F: $83,940 |
| Base Engine turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (200t) |
| Horsepower 241 |
| Std. Transmission 8-speed automatic |
| Avail. Transmission NA |
| EPA City Range (mpg) 21-22 |
| EPA Hwy Range (mpg) 30-33 |
| Optional Engine 3.5-liter V6 (350) |
| Horsepower 311 |
| Std. Transmission 8-speed automatic (RWD) |
| Avail. Transmission 6-speed automatic (AWD) |
| EPA City Range (mpg) 19-20 |
| EPA Hwy Range (mpg) 26-28 |
| Optional Engine 5.0-liter V8 (GS F) |
| Horsepower 467 |
| Std. Transmission 8-speed automatic |
| Avail. Transmission NA |
| EPA City Range (mpg) 16 |
| EPA Hwy Range (mpg) 24 |
| Optional Engine 3.5-liter V6/electric (450h) |
| Horsepower 338 |
| Std. Transmission CVT |
| Avail. Transmission NA |
| EPA City Range (mpg) 29 |
| EPA Hwy Range (mpg) 34 |
