Lexus GS
Lexus GS 300
Lexus GS 300

2018 Lexus GS 300

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.

The Facts
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 300: $47,335
GS 300 F Sport: $51,925
GS 350: $51,720
AWD GS 350: $51,390
GS 350 F Sport: $53,085
AWD 350 F Sport: $54,830
GS 450h: $64,660
GS 450h F Sport: $69,705
GS F: $85,375

Base Engine
turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (300)
Horsepower
241
Std. Transmission
8-speed automatic
Avail. Transmission
NA
EPA City Range (mpg)
21-22
EPA Hwy Range (mpg)
32-34

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
3.5-liter V6/electric (450h)
Horsepower
338
Std. Transmission
CVT
Avail. Transmission
NA
EPA City Range (mpg)
29
EPA Hwy Range (mpg)
34

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

Lexus GS 350
2018 Lexus GS 350
2016 Lexus GS 450
2018 Lexus GS 450h F Sport
Lexus GS F
2018 Lexus GS F
NHTSA Ratings
Overall - NA
0%

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Crash - NA
0%
Side Crash - NA
0%
Rollover - NA
0%

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