The Lexus GS takes a Swan Song Tested: 2020 Lexus GS-F

This review is bittersweet; it’s about a vehicle every bit as competent as a BMW 5-series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class or Audi A6. The Lexus GS first debuted nearly 30-years ago, for M/Y 1993, when there were just two models in Lexus’ portfolio, the LS and ES sedans. I had the opportunity to review a 1995 GS, taking it on a road trip to visit my ailing mother.

Since then, I had a chance to sample just about every generation of the GS, including the first F Sport model. The fourth gen, debuted for 2013, making its official coming out party at the acclaimed Pebble Beach Concur d’Elegance in August 2011. GS production, at its Toyota City (Japan) facility, will come to a halt this coming August.

Although there were initial discussions that Lexus was contemplating a complete redesign fifth generation, it apparently was not meant to be. The reason for that lays strictly that sales have been off, way off, especially ever since 2017. In fact, 2019 sales were down by a staggering 48.8%, for a total of 3,378 units, in addition to a dismal 114 for Canada. This compares to the Mercedes-Benz E Class (39,170), BMW 5 Series (38,829) and Audi A6 (15,777).

I’ve decided to let my colleague explain the overall model details of the car in this online video; I’ll take care of the background story, as well as the reason(s) why Lexus has decided to mothball the model. Suffice to say, Lexus has had many hits, as well as a few misses, yet the GS has always been a competent model. Although, The ES sedan has been the better selling Lexus sedan for everyday use, the GS, as well as the IS beats it, as far as driving dynamics (RWD vs. FWD). As we are aware, passenger cars, whether performance or not, are becoming more or less dinosaurs, in lieu of luxury pickups and crossovers.

For the very first time I was assigned the GS-F to review – for two weeks instead of one. With its monstrous 5.0-liter V8 powerplant it was a trill a minute. Like the rest of the Lexus F Sport lineup, the GS 350 F Sport has a lot of the performance panache, but no extra oomph, which shares its 3.5-liter V6 with the mainline GS 350. However, the GS-F has the chutzpah to compete with the ranks of a BMW M5, Mercedes-Benz AMG 63, or Audi RS6. In fact, I haven’t had so much fun since the Lexus IS-F I tested back in 2008, or the RC-F Launch Edition in 2019. Granted, both muscle machines are far lighter, but there’s nothing wrong with this 4,034-pound gorilla. What amazes me is that the Dodge Charger’s muscular complement of SRT’s, Scat Paks, HellCats and Widebodys can fetch a similar price point to the GS-F’s $89k sticker, yet the Old School Mopars appear to be far more coveted.

Of course, when you compare horsepower, the GS-F can’t stack up to a 6.2-liter Hemi at 707 ponies, yet it’s certainly refine with its non-aspirated 5.0-liter V8, which produces a seamless 467-hp @ 389 lb.-ft. of torque. Top end can top the array of Chargers, which easily can break the 200-mph barrier, but where in the hell can you drive at that insane speed other than the Nürburgring Ring.

The M5, with its 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8, produces 600-hp, 617 with it M5 Driver’s Package. The AMG E63, with its twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8, produces 603-hp. @ 627 lb.-ft. of torque. The GS-F is governor restricted at 168-mph. The Bimmer, Benz and Audi can achieve 155 (190 with optional delimited M Driver’s Package), 186, and 155 mph’s respectively.

The GS-F’s fuel economy is EPA rated at 16/19/24 (city/combined/hwy). The Benz is EPA rated at 15/18/23. The Bimmer doesn’t fare as well, with only 15/17/21. The RS6 is EPA rated at 15/21 City/hwy. All are recommended to use premium, even though the Lexus does quite well with regular unleaded (Note: I recommend either Shell or Mobil).

The GS-F is mated to an 8-speed automatic with paddle shifters, as well as the Audi and Bimmer; the Benz is exclusive with 9 speeds. The GS-F comes as a RWD model only, whereas the Benz is a 4Matic, meaning AWD. Also, being that Audi more or less wrote the history book on FWD, the RS 6 Avant is equipped with a Quattro all-wheel drive system.

Lexus dropped the GS 300 for 2019, whereas the GS 350 became the “entry level” model. The GS 350h remained on the role, including this year, yet there were even fewer takers. Again, the ES 350h seems to do much better.

So, what is the GS-F purpose, a grocery getter? I think not, although it can easily handle a full bill in its trunk. No, beside a commuter car (wow, what an insane commuter), it’s more suited for the track. In this age of the Coronavirus, I certainly had thoughts of taking the GS-F out to the Cresson Motorsports Ranch, located outside of Fort Worth, even though I would have needed to have Lexus’ blessing to do such. I did have the chance to take a Mercedes-AMG GT out for a spin on the Circuit of Americas Track in Austin.

My GS-F tester was striking in its optional Light Trasonic Blue Mica with red leather appointments. This was the same color scheme that the Lexus ES 350 F Sport, which I tested back in September 2019, during the week of the State Fair of Texas.

Base MSRP starts out at $85,010. The option list included the premium paint ($595), Mark Levingston Surround Sound ($1,380), heads-up display ($900), and 19-inch BBS polished alloys ($500). Total that up, gets you $89,510 (including designation charges).

However, that beats the hell out of a M5 and AMG E63, which will set you back $102,70 and $107,350, respectively. The Audi RS6 does fetch under the GS-F, at a $73,900 base price. However, throw the durability factor in, whereas when the factory warranty is up for the Germans, the Lexus will be sailing down the road for many carefree miles. In other words, sometimes less is more.

All in all, the GS is not going out in a whimper, it’s going out possibly with a bang. Announced this past April 24th, is the GS Black Line Special Edition. Quite frankly, it’s just a gussie-upped GS 350 F Sport. However, those who wish to partake will receive the choice of white or black exterior paint, black wheels and gloss black dipped trim. The interior is dawn in red accents which cover the door panels, seats, steering wheel and center console. Mixing the cabin materials up are splashes of Alcantara on the dashboard as well as carbon fiber (much like my GS-F tester). Each example comes with a Zero Halliburton two-piece luggage set specially designed for this model. Lexus only plans to produce 200 GS Black Line SE models, however, as of yet, there’s no word on pricing.