2018 Lexus GS

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: The 2018 Lexus GS now includes 10 years of complimentary Lexus Enform and Service Connect. The 4-cylinder GS 200t is renamed GS 300. 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 8-speed automatic transmission—except for the all-wheel drive GS 350, which uses a 6-speed automatic. Standard safety features include the Lexus Safety System +, which includes pre-collision braking, pedestrian detection, and lane-departure mitigation. 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.