By Peter A. Hubbard


MotorwayAmerica.com

(April 4, 2018) Believe it or not, the Lexus GS mid-level performance sedan is celebrating its 25th anniversary in the American market. It arrived in 1993, one year after the launch of the remarkable full-size LS sedan and smaller ES Camry-clone sedan — the first two models Toyota offered as part of its premium brand. 

The Lexus lineup has expanded greatly the past few years, and now includes six coupes and sedans, four SUV/crossovers, and seven hybrid versions of their products. 

With so many models in the lineup, it’s easy to lose sight of the GS.  But fact of the matter is the GS has never been what you’d consider a hot seller.  Even in the ’90s, the car was overshadowed by the sexier German models — the BMW 5-Series, Mercedes E-Class, Audi A6.  Even the Cadillac CTS, introduced as a 2003 model, has garnered more attention from both the buying public and the motoring media. 



In fact, it probably qualifies as the pimply-faced “wallflower” of the mid-size luxury sedans.  So what’s wrong with the Lexus GS?

 I confess.  I’m a bit stumped. After a week behind the wheel of the 2017 Lexus GS350 F Sport, I can honestly say – I didn’t find a single zit!  



POWERTRAIN



As one might expect, the 2017 Lexus GS is loaded with tons of luxury and technology features, as well as superior Toyota’s strong record for excellent reliability and good resale value. At the heart of the Lexus GS lineup is the V6-powered GS 350.  But the lineup has been expanded and now includes the more eco-friendly GS 450h hybrid. And spicing things up, there are available F-Sport performance packages on three of the four trim levels.

The line was also includes the GS 200t 4-cylinder turbo.  

But our test model was the “sleeper” of the group — a fire-breathing GS F SPORT, powered by a burly 5.0-liter V8. Designated by Toyota as its 2UR-GSE powerplant, it’s a 32-valve DOHC engine with aluminum block and cylinder heads.

It features a “smart” cam that’s equipped with variable hydraulic valve timing.  The result is an incredible 467 hp@7100 rpm and 389 lb-ft of torque @ 4800 – 5600 rpm. This fire-breather literally launches like a Saturn rocket.  So whenever you hit the throttle in anger, have both hands firmly gripping the 9-o’clock and 3-o’clock positions on the steering wheel because you will feel the power. 

By comparison, the 3.5-liter V6 in the base GS350 offers just 311 horsepower.  While that’s not shabby, it’s not exactly mind-altering for a sport coupe. 

It’s mated to an equally impressive 8-speed automatic transmission that literally defines buttery smooth.  For those who prefer to power shift — yes, there ARE shift paddles straddling the steering wheel. 

And yes — premium fuel IS recommended. And yes — you will be able to zip from 0-60 in just 4.5 seconds. And for those who are curious — most won’t be — the EPA fuel economy numbers are listed as 16 city, 24 highway, with a 19 mph average.  And good luck hitting those numbers, too!  Well, I suppose it might be possible if you keep it in “Eco” mode most of the time. 



Like many of today’s sporty models, it offers you a choice of Eco, Normal, or Sport mode, which alters the shift points on the transmission to suit your driving habits. 

For luxury-loving tree huggers, Lexus also has a hybrid version that might be to your liking. The Lexus GS 450h comes with an Atkinson-cycle 3.5-liter V6, teamed with an†electric motor for a combined 338 horsepower. The combo delivers an impressive 31-mpg combined EPA mileage rating, yet accelerates the hybrid sedan faster than its V6 gas-only counterpart.

For those who didn’t know or have forgotten, the premium Lexus sports models have been using the "F" emblem since 2008, which is derived from the F-shaped Fuji Speedway, the chief test site for Lexus performance vehicle development in Japan. 

Without question, when stacked up against other domestic and German V8-powered competitors, the new GS should prove to be a worthy adversary, providing similar levels of performance and technology.

While the Lexus GS F Sport doesn’t quite match the 550 horses in the BMW M5 or the 603 hp of the Mercedes AMG E63 S, you don’t have to take out a second mortgage to buy it, either.  Starting price on the sticker was $56,810. The Benz, as you might expect, runs over six figures – around $105K not counting taxes, license, etc. 

A handful of options brought the bottom line on our test model, decked out in the latest Lexus Smokey Granite Mica gray paint scheme, up to $61,955.

Major options on our F Sport test model included premium triple-beam LED headlights ($1,160), limited slip differential ($500), premium Mark Levinson sound system ($1,380), one-touch power trunk ($400), intuitive parking assist ($500), four-wheel steering ($1,700), and illuminated door sills ($450).  Add the $975 delivery charge, and you reach the $61,995 figure.

Some luxury buyers may find the styling of the 2017 Lexus GS a bit too aggressive. With the exception of the GS F, the new GS line doesn’t feel quite as driver-focused as the more sporting BMW 5 Series or a Cadillac CTS but it certainly compensates by offering a more comfortable ride.



Being a Lexus, performance isn’t the only highlight. You’ll also find a plethora of safety, luxury and convenience features, which translates as having the latest in high-tech gadgets and gizmos. 

On the safety side, Volvo provides 10 air bags, vehicle stability control, automatic brake assist, ABS, traction control, and electronic brake force distribution. Starting with the 2017 models, Lexus has added its Safety System+ package, introduced last year as an option, as standard equipment. This state-of-the-art system includes Pre-Collision System (PCS), Lane Departure Alert (LDA) with Steering Assist, Intelligent High Beam (IHB) and High-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control.



EXTERIOR



For some reason, Toyota stylists have decided the best method for telegraphing their car’s sporting nature is with a face that … dare I say it … vaguely resembles the “cow catcher” nose of ancient steam engines. Not for the shy or retiring, the edgy GS performance sedan leads with its chin. The car’s face features an aggressive front-end treatment with an oversized grille, deep chin spoiler and very intense “expression.” 



While I’m not sold on the car’s front end, the rear is another story.  Thankfully, stylists no longer stop at the C-pillar, or design the rear as an afterthought. Distinctive headlights and wraparound LED taillights end on the car’s flanks, and signal the car’s sporting image, as do its muscular lines, crisply defined shapes and low, sprinter-in-the-starting-blocks stance. Also, the shapely chrome exhaust tips fit nicely into the rear valence. The GS 350 and 450h are fitted with 18-inch alloy wheels, but our F Sport model boasts 19-inch wheels, mounted on handsome five-spoke alloy wheels. 



INTERIOR



Though edgy on the outside, Lexus’ 2017 GS luxury sedan is all about comfort inside. Both front occupants enjoy 10-way heated and ventilated power seats, and LED ambient lighting is integrated into the door ornamentation and the console. Soft leather is everywhere and nice touches and details abound, from backlit Lexus stamped scuff plates on all doorsills to contrast stitching on the upper instrument panel, door panels and shift boot.

The attractively shaped instrument panel includes analog Optitron gauges and a vintage-style clock, plus a color Multi-Information Display viewed through a 12.3-inch color high-resolution central-control screen that operates with the 2nd-generation Remote Touch Interface (RTI) control function.

Some of the car’s other notable luxury touches include a combination of genuine wood and metallic trim accents, a power moonroof, a multifunction steering wheel and energy-saving S-flow automatic climate control.

The standard Lexus Premium Audio System has 12 speakers, AM/FM/DVD with HD Radio and WMA/MP3 capability, Bluetooth streaming, 5.1 Surround Sound and numerous other features.

And the F Sport package on our test model added a 16-way driver’s sport seat, custom-tuned AVS, bigger wheels, tires and brakes along with Variable Gear Ratio Steering. Standalone options include an HDD 12.3-inch Navigation system, power trunk release, and the previously noted 835-watt, 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium surround-sound audio system, plus a Head-Up Display speedometer.



DRIVABILITY



After two weeks behind the wheel of a new Lexus GS 350 F Sport sedan, we found it to be an entertaining and competent performance sedan with very impressive acceleration, cornering and braking response. It not only boasts all the luxuries you expect, it’s also lots of fun to drive.

The GS’s stiff structure, lightweight aluminum suspension and wide track all contribute to its level cornering and compliant ride. All GS models feature the 3-setting Drive Mode, which permits a choice among Eco, Normal and Sport, with each setting varying the degree of response from the steering and throttle. However, the F-Sport package on our test vehicles provides even more aggressive ride and handling as well as such upgrades as the Lexus Dynamic Handling system with Variable Gear Ratio Steering.

While we’d say the BMW 5 Series and Cadillac CTS may have a bit of a sporting edge than the GS 350, it can certainly hold its own against an Audi A6 or a Jaguar XF.

CONCLUSION



Frankly, there’s not much more to say.  While not a big fan of Lexus styling, the 350 GS F Sport has an impressive cluster of luxury touches and leading-edge technology features. Not only that, it provides the kind of sophisticated suspension system a sport sedan needs, plus the horsepower and torque to keep your right foot planted in perpetual “hot shoe” mode. (So make sure you have a VERY good radar detector.)

The car may not have quite the pedigree of a BMW M5 or an AMG Mercedes, but given the fact its handling easily rivals theirs – while costing tens of thousands less, makes it a “must see” if you’re in the market for a sport sedan and have at least 50 large burning a hole in your pocket.