The luxury sedan market has seen many greats come and go over the years. These cars push technology, design, and performance forward while giving drivers something special to remember them by. The Lexus GS was one of those cars. For nearly three decades, the GS sat in the sweet spot between the smaller IS and the flagship LS, giving buyers a mid-size sedan that could be equal parts comfortable cruiser and snarling sports sedan.
But like so many good things, the GS didn’t stick around forever. Lexus pulled the plug in 2020 after 27 years, leaving enthusiasts wondering why such a balanced, stylish, and surprisingly exciting sedan had to go. With SUVs swallowing up nearly every corner of the market, the GS never got the proper send-off it deserved. Let’s take a trip back through what made the Lexus GS so great—and why it was discontinued too soon.
The Lexus GS Had Perfect Timing
The original Lexus GS debuted in 1993, just a few years after Toyota’s luxury brand had stunned the world with the LS 400. Lexus already had its flagship sedan and smaller offerings, but the GS filled a gap: a mid-size luxury sedan that could compete directly with heavy hitters like the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
- Base Trim Engine
-
5.0L V8 Gas
- Base Trim Transmission
-
8-Speed Automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
-
Rear-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
-
467 hp
- Base Trim Torque
-
389 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm
- Fuel Economy
-
16/24 MPG
- Make
-
Lexus
- Model
-
GS F
- Segment
-
Midsize Luxury Sedan
And Lexus didn’t mess around. Styled by none other than Italdesign’s Giorgetto Giugiaro—the same designer behind icons like the DeLorean and VW Golf—the GS brought sharp European-inspired looks to a Japanese luxury sedan. Underneath, it delivered the smoothness Lexus had become known for, but with a little extra attitude. The timing was perfect. Buyers wanted refinement but weren’t ready to give up on driving enjoyment, and the GS gave them both.
Performance That Surprised People
One of the best things about the Lexus GS was how it constantly checked haters. More powerful cars feel victim to their understated power one after the other. While most people assumed Lexus sedans were just about comfort, the GS had some serious moves.
By the late ’90s, the GS 400 introduced a 4.0-liter V8 with 300 horsepower—making it one of the quickest sedans of its era. In fact, Car and Driver once clocked it faster than a contemporary BMW 540i. Lexus had quietly built a sleeper that embarrassed German rivals, and owners loved that blend of reliability and muscle.
Later generations only leaned into this more. The GS 430 brought more displacement, while the GS 460 used a 4.6-liter V8 with over 340 horsepower. But the real halo was the GS F, introduced in 2016. Packing a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 with 467 horsepower, rear-wheel drive, and adaptive suspension, it was a true enthusiast’s luxury sedan. It may not have sold in big numbers, but it proved Lexus could play in the same league as BMW’s M5 or Mercedes’ AMG sedans.
The Interior Was Peak Lexus
Another reason the GS was so beloved? It nailed the Lexus formula inside. Plush leather seats, impeccable build quality, and that unmistakable sense of quiet isolation made it feel like a luxury car should. Even when rivals struggled with cheap plastics or gimmicky tech, the GS just felt solid.
By the 2010s, the GS offered a massive 12.3-inch infotainment screen, Mark Levinson premium audio, and all the driver-assist tech you’d expect. Sure, Lexus’s infamous Remote Touch interface got mixed reviews, but once you got past the mouse-like controller, the GS delivered one of the most comfortable and user-friendly cabins in its class.
And unlike some competitors, Lexus interiors had staying power. Ten years later, a well-kept GS still feels luxurious, while some rivals age like milk.
A Sedan With Style
Even if you weren’t a Lexus diehard, you couldn’t ignore the GS’s looks. Each generation had new lines and features that continually improved the sedan’s looks, but the fourth-gen GS (2012–2020) really hit its stride. This was when Lexus introduced its “spindle grille” design language, and the GS wore it best. The bold front end, sleek profile, and wide stance gave it presence without looking over the top.
Unlike some luxury sedans that try too hard to look sporty, the GS nailed the balance. It looked confident, premium, and just aggressive enough to remind you it had some performance chops under the hood. The GS F in particular, with its quad exhaust tips and wider bodywork, had real muscle-car energy disguised in a luxury sedan suit.
Why The Lexus GS Was Discontinued
So why did Lexus kill the GS if it was so good? The simple answer: sales. Luxury sedan buyers were flocking to SUVs by the late 2010s, and the GS just couldn’t keep up. While BMW and Mercedes could justify keeping the 5 Series and E-Class alive thanks to global sales volume, Lexus decided the GS overlapped too much with the smaller ES.
The ES was cheaper, front-wheel drive, and more efficient—perfect for the luxury buyers who cared more about comfort than performance. It also sold in much bigger numbers, making it the safe bet for Lexus. In 2020, the brand officially discontinued the GS, marking the end of an era.
It’s worth noting that Lexus did give the GS a proper farewell with the 2020 GS F “Black Line Edition,” limited to just 200 units. Still, for enthusiasts, the loss stung. Lexus had finally built a sedan that could truly stand toe-to-toe with European rivals, only to pull the plug when it was hitting its stride.
Why The GS Still Matters
Even though it’s gone, the Lexus GS hasn’t been forgotten. In fact, it’s quickly becoming a bit of an up-and-coming little gem in the used market. Enthusiasts are realizing that a well-maintained GS offers a rare mix of reliability, power, and fancy insides that few mid-size sedans can match.
The GS F, in particular, is already gaining cult status. With a naturally aspirated V8—something you’ll never see again in a new Lexus sedan—it’s a last hurrah for an old-school driving experience wrapped in modern luxury. Prices are holding strong, and some expect it could become a future collectible.
But even the more mainstream GS 350 and GS 460 trims are finding fans. Buyers who don’t want to gamble on a high-mileage German luxury car see the GS as the smarter choice: all the refinement, half the maintenance headaches.
The Sedan We Didn’t Deserve
Looking back, the Lexus GS feels like the perfect example of a car that was discontinued too soon. It hit the sweet spot of size, performance, and luxury, all while offering Toyota-level reliability in a segment dominated by brands with more expensive maintenance schedules.
Sure, the ES keeps the mid-size luxury sedan alive at Lexus, but it doesn’t scratch the same itch. The GS was the one that let you drop the kids off at school, then blast down a canyon road on the weekend without breaking a sweat. It was understated but capable, refined but rowdy when you asked for it.
In a world where SUVs rule and sedans are on life support, the GS deserved a longer run. And while Lexus may have moved on, enthusiasts haven’t. The GS is still remembered as one of the best mid-size luxury sedans of its time—and one that left the stage way too early.
TopSpeed’s Take
The Lexus GS didn’t have the sales of a BMW 5 Series or the brand cachet of a Mercedes E-Class, but it carved out its own loyal following with a simple formula: build a sedan that’s reliable, comfortable, and secretly a blast to drive. That’s why enthusiasts miss it today.
Was it discontinued too soon? Absolutely. The GS had more life left in it, especially with the GS F proving Lexus could hang with the big boys. Now, all that’s left are memories—and a growing community of fans who know just how good this car really was. If you’re lucky enough to find a good one on the used market, especially a GS F, don’t hesitate.