Used 2020 Lexus GS

#5 in Best Midsize Luxury Cars of 2020

The 2020 Lexus GS sedan will carry over for another year, losing its least powerful trim but still offering buyers a modern, midsize-luxury-performance car with all the stellar attributes expected of a Lexus. Backed by a superb dealer network and the added bonus of class-leading reliability and resale figures, the Lexus GS for 2020 holds strong appeal to those who expect their luxury cars to be as trouble-free as possible.

The GS includes the option of all-wheel drive, as well as one high-performance variant, the GS F. F cars are Lexus’ answer to BMW’s M, Audi’s S and RS cars and the AMG line from Mercedes-Benz. While not quite up to the same performance and horsepower standings as these rivals, the GS F is nonetheless a thrilling ride and one worthy of a test drive.

While it sometimes gets forgotten in a sea of newer, more powerful rivals, the 2020 Lexus GS sedan remains a comfortable fit for those seeking good performance, a comfortable ride and exquisite build quality. Although it is missing some must-have tech features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the GS is up to speed on just about everything else.

The GS 350’s smooth V6 delivers impressive power for passing and merging, and its handling, especially when equipped with the F-Sport package, is more than satisfactory for the way most owners will drive the car. A lightweight aluminum suspension coupled with a wide track and big tire/wheel combination all contribute to the GS feeling like it’s a much smaller and more nimble vehicle.

The F-Sport and GS F take it one step further by offering Lexus’ Dynamic Handling system (F-Sport) and F-Adaptive Variable Suspension (GS F) that varies the shock dampening according to road or track conditions. A 3-setting Drive Mode feature allows the driver to change the steering response and throttle reaction for Eco, Normal or Sport.

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In typical Lexus style, the 2020 GS luxury sedan is wrapped in the finest leather and wood, augmented by the latest Lexus technology. Both driver and passenger enjoy 10-way-adjustable power seats, while the entire cabin is bathed in light, including subtle rays from the door ornamentation and center console. Contrasting stitching adorns the door panels, instrument top pad and shift boot. The dash design isn’t as complex or elegant as in an Audi A6 or a BMW 5 Series, but the big 12.3-inch high-res-color control screen certainly makes an impression. Too bad the Remote Touch Interface hasn’t quite been perfected, leaving us wishing for a system more like Audi’s MMI.

Not for the shy, the Lexus GS luxury-performance sedan is a boldly styled piece of road-going art. It leads with an aggressive front-end treatment with an oversized grille, deep chin spoiler and intense expression. Distinctive headlights and LED taillights fit its sporting image, as do its muscular lines, highly defined shapes and low stance. The GS 350 is fitted with 18-inch alloy wheels, while the F Sport Package and GS F add 19-inch wheels. Rich and varied paint options are a pleasant departure from the ubiquitous sea of silver, white and black.

LEXUS SAFETY SYSTEM+
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of accidents, which is why Lexus protects its customers with a suite of standard driver assists. Standard on the GS is pre-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning and assist plus adaptive cruise control and automatic high-beam headlights.

LEXUS ENFORM REMOTE
Easily viewed on any smartphone, smartwatch or Amazon Alexa-enabled device, the Enform remote app allows owners to start or stop the engine, unlock doors, adjust the climate control and even locate the vehicle. It can also be used to monitor your kids’ driving habits.

The Lexus Safety System+ package comes standard on the GS. The state-of-the-art system includes Pre-Collision System Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Intelligent High Beam and High-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control.

All 2020 Lexus GS models include leather upholstery (rear-wheel-drive/RWD models), heated and ventilated front seats (RWD), wood/metallic accent trim, power moonroof, multifunction steering wheel and energy-saving S-flow automatic climate control. The standard Lexus Premium Audio System has 12 speakers, navigation, Bluetooth streaming, 5.1 Surround Sound and numerous other features. The GS F adds a 467-horsepower V8, F-Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS), torque-vectoring differential and most of the GS 350’s optional equipment.

The 2020 Lexus GS 350 all-wheel drive (AWD) with a Premium Package brings leather seating, a power rear sunshade, ventilated front seats and rain-sensing wipers. A Cold Weather Package on the same car adds headlight washers, wiper de-icers and water-repellant front door glass.

The F Sport Package makes any Lexus more fun to drive and brings 16-way driver’s sport seat, custom-tuned AVS, bigger wheels, tires and brakes along with Variable Gear Ratio Steering. The F Sport RWD can also be equipped with Dynamic Rear Steering and a limited-slip rear differential. Among the more notable stand-alone options are triple-beam LED headlights, Intuitive Park Assist, a heated steering wheel, power open/close trunk, an 835-watt, 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium surround-sound audio system and a Head-Up Display. Exclusive to the GS F are blue Brembo brake calipers with the F logo and 19-inch hand-polished 10-spoke alloy wheels.

Power for the 2020 Lexus GS 350 comes from a proven 3.5-liter V6 with dual variable-valve timing and intelligence (VVT-i). This engine produces a healthy 311 horsepower. Power is again routed through an 8-speed automatic on rear-drive models, and a 6-speed automatic on all-wheel-drive cars. At the top end of the GS model line, the rear-drive-only GS F comes equipped with a 5.0-liter V8 paired to an 8-speed automatic with manual shift control. You’ll find better fuel-economy numbers from an Audi A6, as well as the hybrid and diesel versions of the BMW 5 Series.

3.5-liter V6 (GS 350)
311 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm
280 lb-ft of torque @ 4,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/28 mpg (RWD), 19/27 mpg (F-Sport), 19/26 mpg (AWD)

5.0-liter V8 (GS F)
467 horsepower @ 7,100 rpm
389 lb-ft of torque @ 4,800-5,600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/24 mpg