Review
Another very serious offering from Lexus, and one which takes on its premium German rivals. The GS looks good and is great to drive, but the lack of a diesel engine means it can't compete with the BMW 5 Series or Mercedes E Class on equal terms.
The styling is certainly striking, although some reckon that the GS looks a bit too much like a scaled-up version of the IS. The cabin is well finished and packed with standard-fit equipment, but some of the interior plastics look a bit downmarket for something trying to compete in this market segment. It's also noticeably smaller than key rivals, with poor space for taller passengers in the back.
Taut suspension and excellent steering mean that the GS drives very well, especially over twisty, demanding roads. The downside of the firm suspension is a harsh, crashy ride over rough or broken road surfaces.
Three engines are available, all running on petrol, with the most basic six-cylinder GS300 being the pick of the range for most buyers: it's creamy-smooth and combines strong performance with respectable fuel economy. The V8 powered GS430 is an exercise in futility, especially as buyers looking for more performance can opt for the hybrid GS450h. Using both a six-cylinder petrol engine and battery-driven electric motors, the 450h gives strong performance and decent fuel economy - although it's nothing like as frugal in real world conditions as diesel rivals.