Photo: Lexus
Codenamed L10, the fourth generation of the GS dates back to 2011 and the Toyota New N vehicle architecture. Make no mistake about it, but there’s no denying that Lexus needs a change in this segment.
That change has already arrived in Europe in the guise of the ES, but the United States soldiers on with the GS for the 2020 model year. Be that as it may, Lexus decided to drop the 300 from the range, leaving the 350 as the entry-level option and the F as the performance-oriented specification.
Confirmed by Lexus spokesperson Alissa Moceri to Cars Direct, “the GS 300 represented a small percentage of GS sales in 2018." Considers that U.S. dealerships were rarely stocking up on the 300, we’re not surprised the most affordable GS went out without a bang.
A four-cylinder turbo with 241 horsepower makes the GS 300 an adequate sedan for the size and heft, but then again, the 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6 in the GS 350 feels a lot more like it thanks to 311 horsepower. Switching from 300 to 350 for the 2020 model year also translates to a higher price tag, namely from $47,885 to $52,420 from the get-go. The GS F is $86,035, packing a 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 with 460-plus horsepower.
The question is, does Lexus afford to lose the GS 300 just because it didn’t sell as much as expected? In a nutshell, it sure does! The ES is newer, has up to 302 horsepower, and it’s less expensive than the GS while compromising rear-wheel drive for the safety of front-wheel drive.
As far as value for money, technology, and continual improvements are concerned, there’s no denying the seventh generation of the ES is the better buy if you can make do without rear-wheel drive. Redesigned from the ground up for 2019, the ES shares the Toyota New Global Architecture – GA-K with the Avalon full-size sedan. To this effect, the ES also happens to be more spacious and comfortable than ever before.
Confirmed by Lexus spokesperson Alissa Moceri to Cars Direct, “the GS 300 represented a small percentage of GS sales in 2018." Considers that U.S. dealerships were rarely stocking up on the 300, we’re not surprised the most affordable GS went out without a bang.
A four-cylinder turbo with 241 horsepower makes the GS 300 an adequate sedan for the size and heft, but then again, the 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6 in the GS 350 feels a lot more like it thanks to 311 horsepower. Switching from 300 to 350 for the 2020 model year also translates to a higher price tag, namely from $47,885 to $52,420 from the get-go. The GS F is $86,035, packing a 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 with 460-plus horsepower.
The question is, does Lexus afford to lose the GS 300 just because it didn’t sell as much as expected? In a nutshell, it sure does! The ES is newer, has up to 302 horsepower, and it’s less expensive than the GS while compromising rear-wheel drive for the safety of front-wheel drive.
As far as value for money, technology, and continual improvements are concerned, there’s no denying the seventh generation of the ES is the better buy if you can make do without rear-wheel drive. Redesigned from the ground up for 2019, the ES shares the Toyota New Global Architecture – GA-K with the Avalon full-size sedan. To this effect, the ES also happens to be more spacious and comfortable than ever before.
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