2017 Lexus GS F
This gorgeous sport sedan is a little more feisty than it looks.
By Cherise Threewitt, Contributor, Car-ED.com | May 2018
What is this vehicle?
The GS F is the top-end trim level of the Lexus GF midsize luxury sedan lineup, featuring rear-wheel drive and a 5.0-liter V8 engine. Other features and amenities include plush and supportive sport seats, a comprehensive active safety package, and a standard navigation system.
For this review, Lexus provided a 2017 model year GS F. Though there are some minor updates to the GS F lineup between the 2017 and 2018 model years, the GS F carried over unchanged.
Who is this vehicle for?
The Lexus GS F is a great option for a buyer who values impressive power and a smooth ride, but doesn’t get caught up in the theatrics typically associated with performance cars. In that way, the GS F is a great choice for a buyer who wants a luxury car that happens to be powerful, rather than a sports car that happens to be upscale.
Why is this vehicle important to you, the buyer?
If you want a quick and fast luxury car that will keep you on track with minimal effort, the GS F is an excellent candidate. In many ways, the GS F is more relaxed than many rivals, in that you don’t need to be a so-called “driving enthusiast” to get the most from this car. But if you get a little feisty, the GS F will prove to be a willing partner. The GS F also offers class-leading practicality in the form of excellent safety scores and features, top-notch reliability, and plenty of passenger and cargo space.
Interesting facts about this vehicle!
Lexus says the GS F’s 5.0-liter V8 engine is capable of propelling the vehicle from 0 to 60 in 4.5 seconds, though we did not have the opportunity to officially verify this fact ourselves.
The fully-loaded GS F provides lots of active safety equipment, but many of these desirable features even come standard on the base model GS. For 2017, Lexus added the Lexus Safety System+ package to every GS model, which includes lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, rear cross traffic alert, pedestrian detection, and a pre-collision system with emergency brake assist.
What Impressed Us / Top Likes:
The Lexus GS F is super fun to drive. Its engine provides energetic acceleration and the rear-wheel drive system helps make things even more interesting. The car was responsive and predictable in most driving scenarios, though it can be a handful in the rain or on wet streets.
The steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters make passing quick and easy, and are a fun way to add a little extra excitement to your drive.
The Lexus GS lineup tends to blend into the crowd, but the GS F model adds just the right amount of visual interest. Our test car was finished in a color called Ultrasonic Blue Mica 2.0, which made the GS F look even more sporty.
Items to Make Better (Least Favorite Things):
The price is on the steep side, even for a high-horsepower luxury sedan. This model starts at $83,940, and though Lexus arguably packs enough value into the GS F to justify it, the initial sticker shock was real.
The GS lineup, including the GS, uses a non-touchscreen display, and the controls take some getting used to.
Lexus doesn’t offer Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, which is a distinct disadvantage in this tech-forward class. You can still connect your smartphone through the infotainment system’s Enform system, but it’s not as user-friendly as it could be.
The traffic sign recognition in the head-up display should be taken with a grain of salt. The speed limit displayed by the system was often inaccurate, though to be fair, that has been the experience of this reviewer with several different manufacturers’ systems. Just make sure you use it as a backup source of information, rather than depending on it.
Segment and Competitors:
The Lexus GS model, including the GS F trim level, competes in the midsize luxury car category. Notable vehicles in this class include:
- Genesis G80
- BMW 5-Series
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class
- Audi A6
- Cadillac CTS
- Infiniti Q70
- Lexus ES
Many, but not all, of the other vehicles in this class have high-performance trim levels on par with the Lexus GS F’s specs and pricing.
Unique Specifications:
Featuring rear-wheel drive and a 5.0-liter V8 engine, the Lexus GS F provides an enjoyable driving experience. It isn’t exactly unique, but it is certainly noteworthy. The GS lineup also features a perfect predicted reliability rating from J.D. Power, which is a good reason to buy this model over any of its competitors.
Pricing and Availability:
The 2017 Lexus GS F tested for this review starts at $83,940, while the 2018 model, which has the same specs and features, sees a slight increase in price to $84,350. The 2018 Lexus GS F is available now.