Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Lexus GS (2012-2018) review

The Lexus GS is a serious alternative to German executive saloons, and top-spec hybrids offer great performance

Overall Auto Express Rating

3.0 out of 5

  • Distinctive looks, high-spec cabin, dealer service
  • 5 Series is better to drive, CVT gearbox, expensive
Find your Lexus GS
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
Hassle-free way to a brand new car
Or are you looking to sell your car?
9/10 sellers got the price they expected
Advertisement

The latest Lexus GS is better looking than ever, and it's also beautifully built and exceptionally refined. There are two engines in the range, the 300h and 450h.The smaller engine is a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol with an electric motor, while the more powerful 450h uses a 3.5-litre V6 with an electric motor.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Lexus GS F vs Vauxhall VXR8 - video

The GS takes on company car favourites like the BMW 518d and new Audi A6 Ultra, and manages to beat them in the company car tax fight. It's well equipped too, so you're unlikely to pay much more tax on optional extras.

The GS is available in four trim levels: Executive Edition, Luxury, F Sport and Premier. We'd stick to the cheaper trim levels, especially as they come with 17-inch wheels that keep emissions low and improve comfort. 

If you're in the market for an executive saloon, it's well worth considering the Lexus GS. It's comfortable, reliable, and thanks to the hybrid powertrain it's efficient too. 

However, rivals like the BMW 5-Series and Audi A6 offer diesel engines for comparable running costs, and are strong performers, while also being better to drive and more spacious.

Engines, performance and drive

Hybrid-only line-up suits the relaxed character of the GS

Accessing maximum performance doesn’t play to the Lexus’ strengths - the CVT gearbox sends the revs racing and holds them high until you back off. Even then the GS 300h takes a moment to settle back down. 

Using the Lexus’ wheel-mounted paddles is a waste of time, too, because the transmission reacts too slowly and they have little effect in controlling the revs, which is infuriating. The driving experience unravels even more when you get to a corner. Firstly, the regenerative braking set-up results in an uneven and grabby pedal response, making it hard to brake progressively up to a bend. Once into the corner, the Lexus then struggles to control roll and the light steering lacks feel.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

It’s not all bad news, though. The GS is at its best when driving gently on a part throttle, and at low speed around town the switch from silent EV to the petrol engine is seamless. However, you’ll only be able to run on the battery alone for very short periods with gentle acceleration, otherwise the internal combustion engine fires into life.

The GS is happiest when cruising on the motorway, where the cabin is free of road and wind noise. The ride is smooth, especially on 17-inch wheels, but can be a little bouncy on badly surfaced roads. Luckily the comfortable seats mean it's never really a problem.

Engines

There are two engines to choose from: an entry-level 217bhp 2.5-litre hybrid for the GS 300h and a 338bhp 3.5-litre hybrid V6 for the GS 450h. 

The 300h is the one to go for if you are concerned about economy or tax, as its running costs are much lower. It does lag behind equivalent diesel rivals for power, though, and it can feel underpowered at times. The 450h is faster, but the trade-off is higher emissions and lower economy.

If you’re looking for a high performance saloon Lexus also offers the GS F. From the Japanese firm’s F Sport division, the sportiest GS model features a 5.0-litre V8 under the bonnet with 471bhp and 580Nm of torque. 

MPG, CO2 and Running Costs

Hybrid engines will return similar fuel economy to diesel rivals but emissions are much lower

The GS 450h has made some huge improvements, claiming 46.3mpg, while CO2 emissions of 141g/km are impressive for such a large engine.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Taking into account tax breaks for petrol engines over diesels, the 104g/km Luxury spec GS 300h sits in a much lower tax bracket than the equivalent Audi A6 Ultra or BMW 520d, which could mean big savings over a number of years for company car customers.

The lack of turbos on the GS F performance saloon means efficiency isn’t great - Lexus claims 25.2mpg and 260g/km CO2, which means pricey road tax of £505 per year. High emissions also means it’ll be expensive for business users.

Depreciation

However, private buyers will be concerned by predicted residuals of 38.9 per cent, which could mean £4,817 more depreciation than the Audi over three years. The GS 300h will need servicing every 10,000 miles, but a fixed-price three-year deal makes it easier to budget for costs. Our quotes suggest it will still cost more than the A6 to service.

Our experts predict the GS F will hold on to 44.9 per cent of its value, so although it will lose a substantial £38,567, used values will actually be proportionally stronger than its regular stablemates.

Interior, design and technology

Facelifted GS looks smart from the outside, and the interior is as plush as ever

A recent facelift has added the current-generation Lexus family grille to the GS, and it's better looking than ever. The protruding spindle grille looks sporty, and the thinner LED headlights have improved things, too.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

And while its slightly bulbous rear looks a little awkward, the big Lexus is fairly imposing. F Sport cars get a sportier look with their bigger wheels, but we'd go for the Luxury model on 17s as it will improve comfort and economy.

Lexus has gone its own way with the GS’s interior. The slickly designed dashboard is dominated by a vast, centrally mounted 12.3-inch TFT screen, while the wide centre console houses the brand’s slightly fiddly, computer mouse-influenced Remote Touch controller for the infotainment and sat-nav systems.

Happily, the smart design is accompanied by top-notch fit and finish. Quality materials are used throughout, while the beautifully damped switchgear looks and feels upmarket. Other highlights include the neatly stitched, leather-effect dash, metal-finish stereo controls and the classy analogue clock.

As you’d expect, the GS comes overflowing with standard kit, including three-zone climate control, sat-nav, heated and ventilated front seats and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson hi-fi set-up. The Lexus’ centre rear armrest folds down to reveal remote controls for the stereo, air-conditioning and heated rear bench.

The GS F ramps things up inside, with a sportier design for the cabin. this includes sports seats, some extra flashes of Alcantara and a high-tech digital rev counter that changes design depending on the driving mode. But fundamentally the F boasts the same exacting build quality as the rest of the range, with lots of expensive leather and tactile materials lining the interior.

Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment

While the sat-nav system itself comes as standard and works well, sadly the user interface is very frustrating. The mouse-like knob on the centre console makes it impossible to make an accurate selection quickly and entering a postcode is particularly fiddly.

Practicality, comfort and boot space

Boot is lacking thanks to bulky hybrid batteries

While the Lexus doesn't quite have the same amounts of room in the rear as its rivals, it will be fine for most uses. Adults over 6 feet tall will find it a squeeze to get behind the driver, however. The rear bench can be heated, too, while the front passenger seat has a 'chauffeur' function. This allows rear occupants to remotely slide the chair forward to create more space. 

Size

The GS is 4.8m long, 1.8m wide and 1.4m high, which is similar to other cars in its class. The most notable measure is the weight - the GS is from 1,730kg-1.920kg, which is much heavier than cars like the Audi A6. That's because of the batteries for the hybrid drivetrain.

Boot

Opening the standard powered tailgate reveals a 450-litre boot. There’s significant wheelarch intrusion, while the installation of the hybrid running gear means there’s no folding rear bench or even a handy ski-hatch.

Reliability and Safety

Driver power ranks Lexus up top, the GS is one of the most reliable cars on the road

Lexus has forged an enviable reputation for building reliable cars, and this is reflected in its impressive first-place finish in our Driver Power 2015 satisfaction survey. The GS finished 6th overall for reliability too, and since little has changed in the recent facelift we expect this one to be just as reliable. Plus, in the unlikely event something does go wrong with your car, you’ll be guaranteed first-class service from the brand’s dealers, which took overall honours in our poll every year since 2002.

The current GS hasn’t been tested by Euro NCAP, but there shouldn’t be any concerns about safety. All models get 10 airbags, stability control, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert, which warns the driver of approaching cars when reversing out of a space. 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

More on GS

Best cars for £20,000 or less
Best cars for £20,000 or less - header image
Best cars & vans
11 Mar 2024

Best cars for £20,000 or less

£20k is serious used car money, these are our favourite buys for that kind of budget
Best used executive cars 2024
Best used executive cars - header image
Best cars & vans
10 Jan 2024

Best used executive cars 2024

If you need a fast, comfortable and stylish set of wheels, these are the best used executive cars that the market has to offer
Driver Power: Lexus GS is UK’s favourite used car
Lexus GS
News
21 Oct 2021

Driver Power: Lexus GS is UK’s favourite used car

The Lexus GS has been voted best used car to own in the 2021 owner satisfaction survey, followed by the Skoda Superb and BMW 3 Series
Skip advert
Advertisement
Genesis G80 vs Mercedes E-Class vs Lexus ES
Genesis G80 vs Mercedes E-Class vs Lexus ES
Car group tests
18 Sep 2021

Genesis G80 vs Mercedes E-Class vs Lexus ES

The Genesis G80 looks to make an impact in the executive saloon class as we pitch it against the Mercedes E-Class and Lexus ES
Lexus GS F 2016-2018
New Lexus GS F 2016 - front tracking
In-depth reviews
15 Aug 2016

Lexus GS F 2016-2018

The Lexus GS F is an impressively quick super-saloon that takes aim at BMW's M5 and the Audi RS6
Lexus GS 450h F Sport 2016 review
Lexus GS 450h F Sport - front
Road tests
12 May 2016

Lexus GS 450h F Sport 2016 review

Can the sporty Lexus GS 450h F Sport hybrid take the fight to its executive rivals?
Lexus GS F - best performance cars
Lexus GS F - front static
Best cars & vans
27 Apr 2016

Lexus GS F - best performance cars

Lexus GS F vs Vauxhall VXR8 GTS
Lexus GS F vs Vauxhall VXR8 GTS - header
Car group tests
9 Mar 2016

Lexus GS F vs Vauxhall VXR8 GTS

Lexus’ new V8-engined GS F meets Vauxhall’s VXR8 GTS in a muscular supersaloon head-to-head
New Lexus GS F 2016 saloon review
New Lexus GS F 2016 - front tracking 2
Road tests
22 Feb 2016

New Lexus GS F 2016 saloon review

Lexus GS F takes a refreshingly old-school approach with its 5.0-litre V8 but can it out muscle the BMW M5 and Audi RS6?
Skip advert
Advertisement
Lexus GS 300h 2016 review
Lexus GS 300h 2016 - front cornering
Road tests
29 Jan 2016

Lexus GS 300h 2016 review

Hybrid saloon gets sharp new look and more competitive running costs
Lexus GS gets a facelift at Pebble Beach 2015
2016 Lexus GS facelift
News
14 Aug 2015

Lexus GS gets a facelift at Pebble Beach 2015

Lexus GS gets a facelift at Pebble Beach 2015 bring it in line with the rest of the Lexus line-up
Skip advert
Advertisement
Social climbers: Hyundai Genesis vs Lexus GS
Car group tests
6 Mar 2015

Social climbers: Hyundai Genesis vs Lexus GS

Hyundai’s new Genesis and the Lexus GS aim to shake up the exec elite. Do they make the grade?
Lexus GS F super saloon at Detroit: Full specs and details
Lexus GS F front
News
6 Jan 2015

Lexus GS F super saloon at Detroit: Full specs and details

Lexus pulls the wraps off its hot GS F at the Detroit show, which features the 470bhp 5.0-litre V8 from the RC F
First look at Lexus GS F super-saloon
Lexus GS F teaser
News
17 Dec 2014

First look at Lexus GS F super-saloon

Lexus' BMW M5 rival will be revealed at the Detroit Motor Show next year, but for now here are some official teaser shots
Lexus GS F spied: 500bhp M5 beater on the way!
Lexus GS F spy shots
News
29 Sep 2014

Lexus GS F spied: 500bhp M5 beater on the way!

Lexus GS F will take on the BMW M5 and feature an uprated version of the new 5.0-litre V8
Skip advert
Advertisement
Lexus GS vs rivals
Car group tests
24 Jul 2012

Lexus GS vs rivals

We see if the hybrid Lexus GS can trump diesel rivals in the company car park
Lexus GS 250 F Sport
Lexus GS250 front action
Road tests
19 Jul 2012

Lexus GS 250 F Sport

The Lexus GS 250 is the entry-level version of the BMW 5 Series rival. We drive it in striking F Sport trim
Lexus GS 250
Lexus GS 250 front tracking
Road tests
29 Jun 2012

Lexus GS 250

The entry-level V6 petrol version of the new Lexus GS has quality, kit and a thirst
Lexus GS 450h
Lexus GS 450h front cornering
Road tests
23 Nov 2011

Lexus GS 450h

New hybrid luxury car promises more thrills than before. Does the new GS deliver?
Lexus GS 450h SE-L
Lexus GS 450h SE-L
Road tests
31 Aug 2010

Lexus GS 450h SE-L

We hit road to see if luxurious hybrid is still worth considering
Lexus GS460
Lexus front
Road tests
15 Feb 2008

Lexus GS460

Japanese firm gives its GS a facelift and a bigger engine as it prepares to take on Jag XF.
Skip advert
Advertisement
Lexus GS
Lexus GS
Long-term tests
23 Jul 2007

Lexus GS

While we weren’t convinced by our Lexus GS initially, a solid 12 months’ service has won us over to the idea of running a hybrid
Lexus GS 450h
Lexus GS
In-depth reviews
29 Dec 2006

Lexus GS 450h

The GS450h is a very convincing hybrid. Eerily smooth and fast, well equipped and refined, it's the best model in the GS range.