2019 Lexus GS F

The 2019 Lexus GS F is the performance variant of their GS sedan. It gets more power, 467 hp, better tires, and much, much better suspension, eliminating body roll altogether. It is also more expensive, at $84,350, which is more than its rivals in the mid-performance saloon segment.

The sedan is available in a single trim and offers all the bells and whistles one would hope for in a car worth $84,350. It sports a huge 5-liter V8 engine, which produces 467 horsepower and uses an 8-speed automatic transmission to send the power to the rear wheels. This car gets Torque-vectoring technology for the rear differential, and to further enhance its handling, it gets an Adaptive suspension system that shuffles between supple and stiff at a moment’s notice.

Trim	Lexus GS F
MSRP	$84,350
Key Features	Torque-vectoring rear differential
	Adaptive sport-tuned suspension
	Sport steering
	Brembo brakes
	Aerodynamic enhancements and special styling
	Auto-dimming mirrors
	Xenon headlights
	Automatic high beams
	LED running lights
	Automatic wipers
	Adaptive cruise control
	Power-adjustable front seats with memory functions
	Forward collision warning with pedestrian detection
	12-speaker sound system
	Lexus Enform
	Remote Touch infotainment interface with a 12.3-inch display
	Power-adjustable steering wheel
	Lane keeping assist
	Automatic emergency braking
	Leather upholstery

Our recommendation for the best trim

With the car being available in only a single trim, there is not much choice there. However, the GS F is an expensive car, even without the optional extras, such as a heads-up display, painted brake calipers etc. Only tick the options you need, and you have a deal in your hand.

“Add more power and the Lexus GS F could stare down any high-performance sport sedan from Germany.” –Car Connection

Engine and Transmission

The engine on the Lexus GS F is a naturally aspirated 5 Liter V8, one of the very few left in the world in these modern times, which churns out 467 horsepower. It uses a slick 8-speed torque converter automatic transmission, not a dual clutch transmission like other cars in the class.

Models	Lexus GS F	Mercedes-Benz AMG E 43 4MATIC	BMW M550i xDrive Sedan	Audi S6
MSRP	$84,350	$71,600	$73,900	$71,900
Engine	Premium Unleaded V-8 5.0 L/303	Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded V-6 3.0 L/183	Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded V-8 4.4 L/268	Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded V-8 4.0 L/244
Transmission	8-speed Sports Direct-Shift automatic transmission	AMG-enhanced 9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic transmission	8-speed Steptronic Sport Automatic transmission with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters	7-speed S Tronic dual clutch automatic transmission
Horsepower	467hp @ 7,100	396hp @ 6,100 rpm	456hp @ 5,500 rpm	450hp @ 5,800 rpm
Torque	389 lb.-ft. @ 4,800 rpm	384 lb.-ft. @ 2,500 rpm	480 lb.-ft. @ 1,800 rpm	406 lb.-ft. @ 1,400 rpm

The engine is not the most powerful unit out there but has more power than the immediate competition. Same cannot be said for the transmission though, which is a traditional torque converter unit, not like the lightning-quick dual-clutch gearboxes that come fitted with the competition. As such it is slower than the others but is also smoother. The power is sent to the rear wheels via a torque vectoring system, which changes the amount of power reaching the individual wheels, thus improving grip and handling.

Acceleration

It powers through a straight line with impressive quickness, going from 0 to 60 mph in 4 and a half seconds. The GS F runs a quarter mile in just under 13 seconds too, which is seriously quick for a four-door sedan.

Models	Lexus GS F	Mercedes-Benz AMG E 43 4MATIC	BMW M550i xDrive Sedan	Audi S6
0-60 MPH	4.5 sec	4.5 sec	3.9 sec	4.4 sec
Quarter mile	12.8 sec	13.1 sec	12.3 sec	13.3 sec
Engine	5.0L	3.0L	4.4L	4.0L
Emission (Tons/yr. of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	9.3	8.4	9.3	9.8

The BMW M550i is quicker than the Lexus Sedan in both the 0 to 60 mph run and the quarter mile run while the Mercedes E 43 ties with the Lexus in acceleration owing to its short gearing, but falls a little behind the quarter mile time due to lack of power. The Audi S6 focuses more on luxury than performance. It is faster to the 60-mph mark but posts a slower quarter mile time.

Braking and Handling

Model	Lexus GS F	Mercedes-Benz AMG E 43 4MATIC	BMW M550i xDrive Sedan	Audi S6
Brake Front (in.)	15	14.2	13.5	15.7
Brake Rear (in.)	13.6	14.2	13.5	14.0
Curb Weight (lbs.)	4034	4145	4372	4398
60-0 MPH (ft.)	110	109	107	112

The braking in the Lexus GS F is handled by 15 inch and 13.6-inch steel disk brakes in the front and rear respectively. Combined with a moderate curb weight of a little over 4,000 pounds, it is a light car, taking 110 feet to brake from 60 to 0 mph.

Handling of the Lexus is amazingly good, with great feedback from both the steering, as well as the pedals. Steering doesn’t bounce around too much when the wheels encounter a bump, which is a boon when driving around on less than perfect roads. Track days on the GS F wouldn’t be too much of a stretch too, although the understeer might cause you to feel a bit uneasy.

When looking at fuel economy figures, you can understand why the automotive industry is shifting towards forced induction. The biggest drawback of a naturally aspirated engine is the efficiency, and Lexus suffers from the same flaw. It manages to run for 16 miles on a gallon in the city, while on the Highway, it can squeeze up to 24 miles on a gallon.

Model	Lexus GS F	Mercedes-Benz AMG E 43 4MATIC	BMW M550i xDrive Sedan	Audi S6
MPG (city)	16	19	16	16
MPG (highway)	24	25	25	24
MPG (combined)	20	22	20	20

The BMW and the Audi pull the same efficiency figures as the Lexus, which is quite a disappointed feat on their part. The Mercedes however, offers better mileage, managing 3 extra miles in the city and 1 on the highway as compared to the GS F.

“Sporty touches, rich materials, and room for five make the GS F an appealing performance car that can accommodate the family.” –Car Connection

 The cabin of the Lexus GS is sophisticated and sumptuous. Seating is cushy and adult-friendly in both rows, and trunk space is plentiful. An abundance of tech and safety features come standard, but the awkward infotainment controller casts a shadow on an otherwise elegant setup. -Cars.usnews.com

Seating and Comfort

Lexus brand name has been synonymous with comfort for many years and will continue to be so for many years to come. The GS F has plenty of room in the front seats as well as the back seats, although the rear legroom could have been better. That’s the sacrifice Lexus made, maneuverability in exchange for rear legroom. It can seat a total of five passengers, although, for utmost comfort, it’s best you seat four.

Model	Lexus GS F	Mercedes-Benz AMG E 43 4MATIC	BMW M550i xDrive Sedan	Audi S6
Passenger capacity	5	5	5	5
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	38.9/57.2/40.6	37.9/57.8/41.3	38.8/58.7/41.4	37.2/57.5/41.3
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	37.8/55.7/32.8	38.2/56.9/35.8	37.5/55.9/36.5	37.8/56.3/37.4

The other cars in this comparison, i.e., the BMW, Audi, and Mercedes trio, offer better cabin space. The interiors are better too, although this isn’t to say that the GS F is a cheaply built car. It’s just that the Japanese manufacturer is not in the same ballpark as the Germans regarding build quality.

Infotainment System

The infotainment system in the GS F offers a 12.3-inch multi-display screen, with a separate touchpad controller, Sat-Nav, and a multimedia interface. The interface feels reasonably intuitive but the mouselike controller pad between the seats can sometimes confuse you.

Other standard options are:

• Satellite Radio W/Real-Time Traffic Satellite Radio
• SD Card Slot
• AM/FM Stereo
• Auxiliary Audio Input
• USB with External Media Control

Cargo volume

Rear wheel drive cars seldom have proper trunks, especially because of all the mechanism that has to fit in the back. The GS F, however, fits a decent amount of luggage into the trunk, which means two large bags with little space to spare.

Model	Lexus GS F	Mercedes-Benz AMG E 43 4MATIC	BMW M550i xDrive Sedan	Audi S6
Trunk Volume (ft.3)	14	13.1	18.7	14.1

The BMW M550i offers the most amount of space, surprisingly huge for a car of such mediocre dimensions. It can fit a full, packed tent in the back, along with some other equipment. The Mercedes and Audi offer just as much space in the boot as the Lexus.

“The Lexus GS F builds on the base sedan’s elegant looks with thoughtful but aggressive aerodynamic features and sporty interior cues.” –Car Connection

Model	Lexus GS F	Mercedes-Benz AMG E 43 4MATIC	BMW M550i xDrive Sedan	Audi S6
Curb weight (lbs.)	4034	4145	4372	4398
Length(in)	193.5	194.6	195.4	194.4
Width(in)	72.6	73.2	73.5	73.8
Height(in)	56.7	57	57.9	56.8
Ground clearance (in)	5.1	4.8	5.1	4.6
Wheelbase (in)	112.2	115.7	117.1	114.8
Track width (in) F/R	61.2/61.4	64.1/62.9	63/62.9	63.6/63.2

The front fenders are wider than those of the GS and they have integrated air vents to let the engine compartment breathe. Prominent rocker panels give the car a lower look in profile, while the rear end is highlighted by a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic lip spoiler and quad exhaust outlets that poke through a lower diffuser. The Car Connection

Dimensions and weight

The Lexus is a four-door sedan of moderate dimensions. It is the lightest and the most compact amongst the competition and also has adequate ground clearance, although off-roading adventures are a strict no-no for this sedan. It also has the smallest wheelbase in the class, which sacrifices cabin space for maneuverability, but not significantly.

The Audi S6 is the heaviest car here, while BMW is the largest. All the three German Sedan favor luxury over performance to varying degrees, and thus have more electronics onboard than the Lexus, which is the primary reason for their extra weight.

Exterior Features

The Lexus is a very striking and unique car, which you might either love or hate. The headlamp design is extremely polarizing, and so is the tailgate design. Some of the distinguishing design features of the GS F are:

• Daytime running LED exterior lights
• 19-inch forged wheels
• Aerodynamic body design

The Lexus GS F comes loaded with a host of safety features as standard. It gets 10 airbags, including driver and front passenger knee airbag and rear side airbags. Some of the other standard feature are listed below:

• Rearview camera
• Automatic high beams
• Lane departure warning with steering assist
• Lane keep assist
• Pre-collision system
• Blind spot monitoring
• Rear cross traffic alert
• Adaptive cruise control
• Rain-sensing windshield wipers
• Parking sensors
• Head-up display

Lexus GS F Vs. Mercedes-Benz AMG E 43 4MATIC

Mercedes and AMG together used to make some of the most wonderful cars on the road. The luxury and power combo is hard to beat, and so is the brand image. Pull up in an AMG Mercedes, and you gain instant respect. However, times are changing, and people now want something more, something unique. The E 43 AMG isn’t very unique and thus loses out on the exclusivity factor.

Lexus GS F Vs. BMW M550i xDrive Sedan

BMW used to be the epitome of performance cars, the one example you would always cite to your buddies during a motorhead conversation. It has specially engineered the M550i to offer just a little more than what all its rivals do. Petty, but very effective strategy, as this is the best car in the segment currently. But, in typical BMW fashion, it has a harsh ride quality and steering that requires massive bicep strength. Still, it is the car for people who love to drive.

Lexus GS F Vs. Audi S6

The Audi S6 is perhaps the most luxury vehicle you can have for this price, as it is unmatched in every area related to comfort. The magic carpet ride, the smooth, jerk-free gearbox, the unhurried engine pace, all scream comfort. The interior space is also plenty, and if you prefer to be driven around most of the time, then this is the perfect car for the job.

The Lexus GS F is a phenomenal car that does everything a car should and then more. It is comfortable, engaging to drive, is quick enough to be exciting, and will definitely garner attention everywhere it goes. The main clincher though is the price. It commands a $10,000 strong premium over its German rivals. The expense is hard to justify, unless if you are a real enthusiast and want to buy one of the few remaining cars to offer a big naturally aspirated engine, the last of a dying breed. If only it had ceramic brakes, but that’s a story for another time.