When Eiji Toyoda challenged his team to develop a luxury brand to rival the best Europe had to offer in this segment in the 1980s, it took Lexus a whopping 450 prototypes and as many as 4.5 million kilometers to sign off the Lexus LS 400 in 1989.
After that decisive moment at the 1989 Detroit Motor Show, the lineup grew to just about everything in-between the compact and full-size segment. The fourth generation of the GS, which is a mid-sized car, is slotted at the upper echelon of the Lexus range.
Although it was never a bestseller for the Toyota-owned manufacturer or in comparison to other luxury mid-size sedans, the GS has a stellar reputation for solid engineering and bulletproof reliability. For what it’s worth, Lexus’ existence can be summed up by those two virtues.
Beyond that, the GS is a competent car tailored to the needs of people who would rather something a bit more different from the German norm. But be that as it may, the GS is up against strong rivals from the likes of Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi. One area where the 2016 Lexus GS one-ups the establishment is, of course, the left-field design.
Exactly like the U.S. configurator for the 2016 Lexus GS alludes, the mid-size sedan is all about sharpening your edges. A product of what the manufacturer calls the L-finesse design philosophy, the GS definitely isn’t a crowdpleaser. The eye-popping visuals can be hard on the eyes of those without the acquired taste for automotive design. To those who know better, the body shell is a delight for customers in the market for something unique.
In a segment where the 5 Series and E-Class rule supreme, the GS is more than the sum of its parts or the intrinsic quality of its badge. The L-finesse school of thought also gave birth to the Lexus spindle grille, which is arguably the most striking visual feature of the GS. Especially in F Sport flavor, the front fascia gives the impression of an alien’s face.
As it is fit for a sharp dressed Predator, the front fascia is flanked by exotic-looking standard Bi-LED headlights with an unmistakable nighttime glow. From the profile perspective, the roofline has the flow of coupe rather than that of a sedan. Revised in 2015 for the 2016 model year, the facelifted GS also prides itself on an unashamedly imposing rear end. It’s no JLo, though.
Taken as a whole, the elegant proportions and sporty sprinkles here and there make the Lexus GS a sight to behold.
As far as the cabin is concerned, the Lexus GS doesn’t try to impress anyone. The layout of the controls is just what you would expect from a sedan born to play the luxury card. Even the Flaxen NuLuxe seats feel lavish, though the optional leather feels more like it. Satin aluminum trim is on the menu as well, as are as options such as open-pore walnut, sapele wood, and Naguri aluminum trim.
Bang in the center of the dashboard, a round-faced analog clock is housed in a single piece of ingot aluminum. Don’t be fooled by its old-school appearance because the clock features GPS functionality for adjusting the time zone. The horizontal plane of the no-fuss dashboard also creates the impression of space.
In F Sport configuration, however, the GS’ cockpit adds a handful of driver-focused cues that transform the cabin from a luxurious environment into a go-faster cocoon for the keen driver. In range-topping GS F form, Alcantara and glossy carbon fiber ornaments dominate the dashboard, door panels, and seats.
For the segment, the GS also offers bundles of headroom (37.8 inches / 960 mm in the rear) and leg room (36.8 inches / 934 mm in the rear). Cargo capacity isn’t too bad at 14.3 cubic feet (404.9 liters), rendering the GS that bit roomier than the 5 Series and E-Class. Less luxurious mid-size sedans like the Hyundai Sonata provide more, though.
Having made its debut in 2011, the fourth generation of the Lexus GS is more like an old dog trying to learn new tricks rather than a front runner. Without regard to futuristic gimmicks like gesture control or remote parking, the GS does a fair job of keeping the driver and the passengers entertained. A case in point is the sat nav.
In its most unabridged format, the satellite navigation system allows the driver to search business reviews on Yelp or to check in on Facebook Places. What Lexus calls Enform App Suite furthers the infotainment system with Internet radio, plus restaurant reservations via OpenTable.com and movie tickets via a dedicated app.
Available for iOS and Android devices, the Lexus Enform Remote is an app that allows the owner to control certain functions of the car remotely. These include guest driver monitor, vehicle finder, door lock and unlock, plus start/stop for the engine and climate control. For iPhone users, Siri Eyes Free Mode is the name of the game in the GS. And yes, satellite navigation through Apple Maps is included.
What’s not so great about the GS (and most other Lexus models for that matter) is the Remote Touch Interface. Although the haptic joystick mechanism seems like a good idea at first, the planar slide-type controller is too complicated to use while driving. A rotary controller such as BMW’s iDrive is a more fuss-free solution.
Whereas the 5er, E-Class, A6, and more exotic rivals such as the Jaguar XF can be had with turbo diesel powerplants in the Old Continent, the GS is limited to either high-octane jungle juice or hybrid power. The range starts with a 2.0-liter inline-4 turbo with 241 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque between 1,650 and 4,400 rpm.
It’s not a bad starting point for a car with a curb weight of 3,805 lbs (1,725 kg) in its most no-frills specification, but it’s not stellar either. Higher up the GS lineup, Lexus offers a 3.5-liter N/A V6 with 311 horsepower and 280 lb-ft. The GS 350’s powertrain can be further enhanced by all-wheel-drive, upping the weight to 3,891 lbs (1,764 kg). At the very top of the spectrum, there’s the RWD-only Lexus GS 450h. A more aggressive F Sport model is also available for the GS 450h.
It’s the latter two that hold an SULEV II emission rating. Short for Super Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle, the marriage between a V6 and an electric motor convinced the EPA to rate the GS 450h at 29 mpg city and 34 mpg highway. If it’s the NEDC you are more interested in, that would be 6.7 liters per 100 km and 5.5 liters per 100 km, respectively.
For those with performance on their minds, forget the CVT of the hybrid and embrace the go-faster goodies of the GS F. In this form, the mid-sized sedan prides itself on a 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 with 467 horsepower and 389 lb-ft. An 8-speed automatic transmission and a torque vectoring rear differential are in the offing as well. The GS F is no M5 beater, though it sounds fruitier than its German antagonist.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is the only noteworthy safety authority to have tested the fourth-generation Lexus GS. From the 2014 model years onward, the GS is considered a Top Safety Pick with “good” ratings in the moderate overlap front, side, and roof strength tests.
In terms of front crash prevention, Lexus Safety Sense+ comes with Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, but no proper autobrake feature. In the near future, however, Toyota and Lexus will equip their U.S. lineups with automatic braking from the get-go.
The foundation for occupant protection in the 2016 Lexus GS is a suite of 10 airbags, all coming as standard. Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Intelligent High-Beam, and All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control are optional extras, though. In addition to those features, the Lexus GS also boasts blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, as well as a near-infrared night vision system.
On select models, Lexus Dynamic Handling will automatically adapt the suspension tuning and active safety systems to suit road conditions. Dynamic Rear Steering also helps with turn-in response and rear grip, helping keep the car on track when cornering.
It’s a widely known fact that the appeal of the Lexus brand is a complex thing to put into words or to understand. But the Japanese manufacturer understands its buyers to the fullest degree, which is why Lexus sedans have that uncanny coolness to them as Saab had when it was still in business.
Additionally, the decision to stay away from oil-burning engines also shows how different Lexus’ way is compared to its competition. In all but name, the Lexus GS is a relaxing cruise that can also put on a show in GS F flavor.
Well equipped from the start and reasonably economical even with the 2.0-liter turbo engine, the GS is far from perfect. The continuously variable transmission, as a case in point, is the single most disappointing aspect of the 450h. The infotainment system is also due to be improved with a better control interface. And that’s just the tip of what Lexus didn’t get right with the GS.
But overall, this Japanese sedan is a breed apart. Bundled together, the good things and the mystifying flaws that make up the GS give it a lot of character in an amorphous segment of lookalikes and copycats.
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