2019 Lexus GS Road Test and Review

With rear-wheel drive and powerful engines, including an available 467-horsepower V8, the 2019 Lexus GS sedan lives on the fun side of the luxury brand’s product line. Lexus uses words like aggressive, eager, and razor-sharp to describe its mid-size sport luxury sedan, saying the GS has a track-honed suspension, passionate performance, and fearless design. After a week behind its leather-wrapped steering wheel, we can say the GS lives up to that hype.

Lexus assembles the GS in Japan, and the sedan is now in its fourth generation. It was first introduced way back in 1993 to take on the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Those popular German sedans remain its rivals today, along with the Audi A6, Cadillac CTS, and Volvo S90. Larger than the Lexus IS and smaller than the Lexus LS, the GS is about the same size as the brand's more popular ES. The front-wheel drive ES is also significantly less expensive, while the GS is more fun to drive and offers a broader range of engines.

For 2019, the Lexus GS is available in three models: the GS 300; the GS 350, which is available with all-wheel drive; and the V8-powered GS F. Prices start at $47,635, including a $1,025 destination fee, for the rear-wheel drive GS 300. This model is powered by a 241-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and it competes with the BMW 530i and Mercedes E300, which cost about $6,000 more. For $51,685 buyers can step up to the all-wheel drive GS 350, which is powered by a 311-hp 3.5-liter V6. Oddly, the rear-wheel drive version of the GS 350 costs $300 more. Both the GS 300 and GS 350 are also available in sportier F Sport guise, at $52,225 for the GS 300 and $53,385 for the GS 350.

At the top of the range is the V8-powered GS F, which is one of the quickest and most powerful sedans Lexus has ever made. It competes with the other serious sports sedans, including the BMW M5, Mercedes-Benz E63, and Cadillac CTS-V. Prices start at $85,375. All GS models use an eight-speed automatic transmission, except the all-wheel drive GS 350, which has six speeds. 

In the world of Lexus, the letter F stands for speed. Think of F as Lexus’ in-house tuner shop, like BMW’s M division, known for cars like the M3 and M5, or AMG at Mercedes-Benz. F is not as well-known as its German rivals, but its engineers have created some memorable machines that include the 553-hp LFA supercar, which was produced from 2010 to 2012.

However, buyers should not confuse an F Sport with a Lexus F model like the GS F, as they are very different. F Sport is basically an optional sport package available on most Lexus sedans, coupes, SUVs, and hybrid models. On the GS 300 and GS 350, this package adds a sport-tuned suspension, sport seats, special gauges, F Sport badging, and a sinister grille mesh. F Sport does increase performance but does not take it anywhere near the extreme speed of a full-blown F model like the 2019 Lexus GS F.

F models like the 2019 Lexus GS F are serious standalone high-performance machines tuned on the world’s racetracks and sold in small volumes to enthusiasts wanting the most performance Lexus has to offer. Under its hood is the same naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 Lexus uses in the RC F and the sexy LC 500. Paddle shifters, a driver-adjustable Torque Vectoring Differential, massive Brembo brakes, and beefy 19-inch Michelin high-performance tires are standard. Although all-wheel drive is not offered, the GS F rockets to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds, and covers the quarter-mile in a mere 12.9 seconds. Its top speed is 170 mph.

This level of power, performance, and luxury doesn’t come cheap, however. Our Lexus GS F test vehicle was equipped with several extra cost options including the $5,000 10^th Anniversary Package, which added blue brake calipers, sinister 19-inch black wheels, Matte Nebula Gray paint, and unique blue interior trim. Lexus says only 100 will be built with the special package, which helped drive the sticker price up to $93,260.

Although its exterior design hasn’t changed much since 2011, the 2019 Lexus GS still looks fresh with its long hood/short deck profile and fastback roofline. Lexus gave the sedan an extensive facelift in 2015, which accentuated its massive grille and added aggressively squinted headlamps. With careful use of chrome trim, sharp wheel designs, and oversized exhaust tips, Lexus has gotten the details right.

F Sport models add some attitude to the mix, while the GS F gets a lowered ride height, huge vents cut into its front fenders, an understated carbon fiber rear spoiler, and four large exhaust pipes, which are stacked diagonally instead of the usual side-by-side configuration. It’s all very cool without being cartoonish.

The 2019 Lexus GS seats five comfortably. Although some of its competitors offer more rear seat head and legroom, the Lexus has plenty. Rear passengers can spread out and enjoy the rear air conditioning vents. Bluetooth is of course standard, but the Lexus is missing onboard Wi-Fi, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, which are standard on many of its competitors. Younger families will appreciate the sedan’s easy-to-reach LATCH connectors in the outboard seats and three easily accessed upper tether anchors.

Trunk volume is good for the class. The 2019 Lexus GS offers 14.0 cubic feet of trunk space; unfortunately, a fold-down rear seat is not available, but there is a pass-through for long thin items like skis.

Open the door of any GS model and you’re met with beautiful materials, a dynamic design, and high build quality. Everything feels expensive, and the analog clock is an appreciated touch of class. Visibility is excellent and it’s easy to find the perfect driving position.

Standard features include an enormous 12.3-inch screen and dual-zone climate control. Unfortunately, Lexus’ computer mouse-like Remote Touch infotainment interface is still frustrating to use, although it’s better than it used to be. There is voice recognition, but it didn’t seem to understand English. Our GS F test vehicle was also equipped with the optional 17-speaker Mark Levinson Premium Audio system, which is the next best thing to hearing a live performance. The sedan’s firm high-back sport seats not only look cool, but they’re very comfortable.

With its powerful engines, rear-wheel drive chassis, and responsive eight-speed automatic transmission, the 2019 Lexus GS is entertaining to drive. Lexus once had a reputation for building boring sedans that put you the sleep, but the GS has more than enough power to give you thrill when you want one. Even the base GS 300 is no slowpoke with a 0-60 mph time of just 7.0 seconds. The GS's ride is compliant, comfortable, and quiet. The suspension is firm but never harsh, and its handling is well beyond the needs of most buyers. And most models come with Drive Mode Select, which offers drivers an ECO mode for improved fuel economy, and a Sport mode for increased throttle and transmission response.

Overall fuel economy is good for the class, but our GS F test vehicle was quite thirsty. I averaged just 20 mpg in a week of mixed driving around Los Angeles. The other GS models are much more fuel efficient and come standard with a smooth start/stop feature that shuts off their engine at idle to save fuel. The GS 300 is rated 32 mpg on the highway.

Many active safety systems are available, including adaptive cruise control, a lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring with a rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-keep assist. And they work as advertised, although the lane-keep assist system is a bit too aggressive as it steers the car to the middle of the lane, often unnecessarily. The GS also has 10 airbags, but its overall safety ratings don’t match up to others in its class including the BMW 5 Series and the Mercedes E-Class, both of which have received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

It’s the same story when it comes to speed. The 2019 Lexus GS F, with its 467-hp V8, just doesn’t have the power to compete with the Germans. The twin-turbo BMW M5 makes up to 617 hp and the Mercedes E63 S is packing 603 hp. And they’re both all-wheel drive. As a result, the Lexus is the slowest car in the class. The good news is it’s less expensive than its more powerful competitors. The M5 and the E63 both cost over $100,000.

Overall, the 2019 Lexus GS is a very enjoyable drive. It’s comfortable, it performs well, and it’s quick and attractive. It’s also beautifully appointed and built with extreme quality. Nothing about the GS feels cheap. Lexus doesn’t cut corners, and its legendary reputation for reliability remains the envy of the industry.

Our GS F test vehicle may not have the horsepower to match some of its turbocharged European competition, but the GS costs less, offers a long list of standard safety technology, and delivers a satisfying combination of luxury and performance. If you’re in the market for a fun-to-drive luxury sedan, the 2019 Lexus GS is a desirable overall choice.