Lexus was once said to be the Mercedes of Japanese land. Very exuberant, luxurious and something that always oozed a hefty class. However, now it feels like a ninja has struck their R&D center with a katana, and the cars coming out right now are sharper, meaner and more performance-hungry than its predecessors.
Lexus has done nothing but impressed since 2011 when the LFA, their first sports car, took everyone by surprise. From a brand that excelled in bringing top-notch luxury at your doorstep was now also able to conquer the tracks as well. Though limited, the LFA went on to become a legend it is today. Treading on the same lines, Lexus has now smartly integrated a lot of performance under the 2020 Lexus GS F's hood as well. The "F" here simply translates to "Fast" just so you don't forget that amidst the luxury cocooning you, there's a fire-breather waiting to let loose.
Carried over from the standard GS sedan, the 2020 Lexus GS F is the performance variant of the same. It's power figures get bumped up to 467 hp, and it also brings along a host of other sporty upgrades such as the stiffened suspension setup, better tires and a lot more. It's extravagant price tag of $84,350, is more than its rivals in the mid-performance saloon segment. Let's see if the 2020 Lexus GS F sedan can topple the empire created by some renowned vehicles such as Mercedes-Benz E 43 AMG, BMW M550i xDrive and Audi S6.
2020 Lexus GS F Sedan front angle view
2020 Lexus GS F Sedan rear angle view
Features
5.5/10
The 2020 Lexus GS F is bundled as a single trim and comes equipped with all the bells and whistles one could expect from 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 also gets Torque-vectoring technology for the rear differential, and to further enhance its handling, it gets an Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) system as well that shuffles between supple and stiff settings in 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
We Recommend
With the car being available in only one trim, there is not much to choose from here. 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'll have a good deal in your hands.
Engine and Performance
8.1/10
Add more power and the Lexus GS F could stare down any high-performance sport sedan from Germany. –Car Connection
In the league of turbocharged and supercharged motors, Lexus still sticks to its trusted and reliable 5.0L, naturally aspirated V8 unit that produces 467 horses and throws a force of 389 lb-ft on the crank. As impressive as the numbers might seem to you, the power band is on the linear side and it doesn't really excite the spirited driver in you. All this power is channeled to the rear wheels via an 8-speed automatic torque converter unit which, yet again, isn't very eager to shift. Unlike the slick-shifting DSG (Dual-clutch) units found on its German rivals, this torque converter unit on the Lexus GS F is a sluggish one.
2020 Lexus GS F Engine Bay (5.0L, Naturally Aspirated, V8)
The engine is not the most powerful unit out there but still manages to overpower the immediate competition. The transmission, however, is a factor that withholds the engine from its true capabilities. The Lexus GS F, as such, is slower than the others but is also smoother and more refined. The power is sent to the rear wheels via a torque vectoring system, which changes the amount of power reaching the individual wheels, further improving grip and handling.
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
Judging by the numbers, it's the Lexus that takes the crown for the winning position with its maximum power figures, which is then closely followed by the Audi. The M550i takes the third position and the Merc loses out completely here with almost 100 horses less than the rest. However, the Bimmer packs the maximum punch in the lot as it has more torque than everyone else.
Acceleration
Though the 5.0L, V8 motor has a flattened powerband, it still manages to clear the 60 MPH mark in just 4.5 seconds which is respectable for a four-door sedan. If you aim for the quarter-mile mark, the GS F can do the sprint in just 12.8 seconds making it one of the fastest accelerating cars in its segment.
2020 Lexus GS F Sedan driving view
Imagine the havoc this Lexus would wreak if it had a better gearbox. Though it is pretty calm and smooth on the tarmac, it lacks the sheer excitement that you'd expect from a car that belongs to the performance sedan segment.
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 timings. The Mercedes E 43 AMG ties with the Lexus in acceleration owing to its short gearing, but falls a little short of the latter in 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.
Ride and Handling
The 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. The suspension setup also narrates a similar story. It is perfectly balanced and absorbs the bumps fairly well, of course, as per performance sedan standards.
Come to spirited driving and the Lexus just barely manages to match its German rivals. The BMW and the Merc feel more planted at high speeds, courtesy of the stiffer suspension setup. Yes, you might not be able to throw the GS-F into a corner blindly, but lean into it gradually and it surely would excite the spirited driver in you. All that said, the Lexus is one of the better buys if you value comfortable drives as much as track days.
Braking
The braking in the Lexus GS F is handled by 14.9-inch and 13.6-inch steel disk brakes crescented with Brembo calipers 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.
2020 Lexus GS-F Front Alloy Wheel with 14.9-inch Disc Rotor
The bite from the brakes is pretty confidence-inspiring however, they are no match to the M550i's surefootedness. There is a considerable dive at the front under heavy braking applications. However, come to the twisties and Lexus's safety systems make sure you come out of the curve with a wide grin on your face. That said, we'd have surely loved some more bite from the brakes.
Model
Lexus GS F
Mercedes-Benz AMG E 43 4MATIC
BMW M550i xDrive Sedan
Audi S6
Brake Front (in.)
14.9
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
Surprisingly, it's the 4372-pound BMW M550i that takes the crown for the best stopping distance. Despite being the lightest of the lot here and also having bigger brakes, the Lexus GS-F barely manages to defeat the Audi here.
Fuel Economy
6.5/10
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.
Interior
7.5/10
Sporty touches, rich materials, and room for five make the GS F an appealing performance car that can accommodate the family. –Car Connection
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.
2020 Lexus GS F front seats
Talking about fit and finish, you get loads of leather accentuated surfaces everywhere. Be it the front seats, the rear ones, the dashboard or even the doors of the GS F, there's leather all around. The front seats also add to the premium quotient with some exotic features such as 10-way power adjustability, heating, and ventilating traits. In case you want the GS F to remember your seating postiion then Lexus has also stuffed that feature in right here. You get two memory functions as standard.
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, 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.
Cargo Capacity
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. A volume of 14.0-cu.ft to be precise. Unlike a few of its rivals, there is no provision to fold the rear seats down. As a consolation though, you do get a foldable rear armrest that serves as a see-through passage from the trunk - suitable for lengthy items, say a fishing rod or a golf club.
2020 Lexus GS F Cargo Capacity
The Lexus GS F is a low set car, which could require you to bend quite a lot in order to arrange the luggage in a proper manner in the trunk. The tailgate, otherwise, lifts pretty high, but there is only so much you can expect from a performance sedan. Further worsening the experience, the narrow opening of the trunk requires you to lift large items at a considerable height before loading. However, the tailgate is powered and requires just a slight nudge on the button to shut down.
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.
Infotainment System
The entertainment duties in the GS F is handled by a 12.3-inch multi-display screen, coupled with a separate touchpad controller. The interface feels reasonably intuitive but the mouselike controller pad between the seats can sometimes confuse you. In some conditions, you might even have to take your eyes off the road which is hazardous.
2020 Lexus GS F 12.3-inch Infotainment System
The standard 12-speaker sound system in the GS F sounds just fine. However, to add more oomph factor to the cabin, Lexus also provides an option of a 17-speaker, 835-watt unit from Mark Levinson which is the real deal. We need not tell you that picking this sound system over the conventional one would add more money to the MSRP of the vehicle. That said, other standard options coupled with the infotainment system are:
Satellite Radio W/Real-Time Traffic Satellite Radio
SD Card Slot
AM/FM Stereo
Bluetooth music streaming with Siri Eyes Free
Auxiliary Audio Input
USB with External Media Control
Amazon Alexa Voice Assistant
Interior Features
Lexus has added a plethora of bells and whistles inside the GS F's cabin that justifies its extra premium in the price, over its rivals. Some of such highlights inside the Lexus's cabin are
Dual-zone automatic climate control with cabin air filter
Heated and ventilated 10-way power-adjustable front high-back sport seats
Power Moonroof
Perforated leather interior trim
Power tilt and telescopic steering with paddle shifters
The Lexus GS F builds on the base sedan’s elegant looks with thoughtful but aggressive aerodynamic features and sporty interior cues. –Car Connection
Dimensions and weight
Unmistakably a Lexus, thanks to the GS F's menacing blackened grill, it gives it a stand out presence among the rivals. Heavily inspired by the Lexus GS, obviously, the GS "F" further adds a wider body kit to the already existing sedan. It also features various air scoops here and there to enable the passage of more air to the V8 motor under the hood. Apart from it, the overall stance of the car is quite conservative, however, some curvy creases along the sides of the car set it apart from the meaner looking Germans.
2020 Lexus GS F Side View
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.
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 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. Also, the GS F is the smallest car here.
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 exterior features of the GS F are:
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
Competition
6.0/10
2020 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 its aging design loses out on the exclusivity factor.
2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG E 43 4MATIC
2020 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.
2020 BMW M550i xDrive
2020 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.
2020 Audi S6
Final Verdict
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 day.
2020 Lexus GS F Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is the 2020 Lexus GS F All-wheel-drive?
No, the 2020 Lexus GS F is offered as a rear-wheel-drive sedan only.
Is the 2020 Lexus GS F Turbocharged?
No, actually the Lexus GS F is among the very few vehicles to feature a naturally aspirated, 5.0L, V8 motor under the hood.
How many configurations are offered with the Lexus GS F?
The Lexus GS F is bundled as just one single trim. However, there are a few optional equipments that you can choose from.
Does the 2020 Lexus GS F come with a warranty?
Yes, the Lexus GS F is backed by a 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty. For more information on this front, please head over to the features tab on the top of this page.
