2018 Lexus GS Review

Price: $84,350

The 2018 upscale Lexus GS F sedan may not be as fast as polished steel, compared to costlier rivals, but it should be more than fast enough for most folks with a 0-60 m.ph. time of 4.5 seconds and a 168 m.ph. top speed.

Those figures are pretty good for this big, roomy, powerful rear-drive sedan, which weighs 4,034 pounds and is nearly 194 inches long.  

Rivals include the Audi RS7, BMW M5 and Mercedes AMG E63 and Alfa Romeo Giulia. Against those, Lexus is handicapped because it's mostly regarded as being just a luxury automaker.

The 2018 version of the $84,350 rear-drive GS F isn't changed much from the 2017 version, but new features are advanced cruise control upgraded to all-speed cruise control, lane departure alert upgraded to lane keep assist and Enform Safety Connect and Enform Service Connect now complimentary for the first 10 years.  

The racy looking GS F has a great sounding normally aspirated 5-liter 467-horsepower V-8 and 389 pound-feet of torque. I found during a routine 65-75 m.ph. passing test that the car passed 75 and hit 90 m.p.h. in nearly a split second and was still accelerating hard.

Estimated fuel economy is 16 miles per gallon in the city and 24 on highways, thanks partly to a smooth eight speed automatic transmission. It has a manual shift feature, via paddles or the console shifter. The 17.4-gallon tank calls for 91-octane premium fuel. No wonder-the engine has a high compression ratio of 12.3:1.

Using Drive Mode Select feature a GS F driver can set the car's performance responses by using Normal for the smoothest, most balanced ride quality and drivetrain performance. Sport can be used to sharpen performance responses, and Sport S+ extracts the most from the powertrain. There's also an Eco mode to help enhance fuel efficiency. I found "Normal" to be the best all-around mode.

The GS F's special suspension has a Torque Vectoring Differential (TVD) that enhances dynamic performance by precisely controlling rear-wheel torque, adjusting left-right distribution. Using compact motors, a planetary gear instantaneously changes left-right torque distribution through the engagement of a multi-plate clutch It operates as quickly as 1/1000th of a second, no matter if the accelerator is pressed or not based on data including throttle input, braking, yaw rate, longitudinal and lateral G-force.

The body exhibits mild lean when rushing through curves, but the GS F stays glued to the road with no tire howl. Helping here is the GS F's rigid structure, front/rear body braces, TVD, vehicle stability and traction controls and wide tires. The firm steering is quick at 2.84 turns lock-to-lock, and the ride is firm, but not overly so. The GS F does a good job of handling road imperfections, but some above-average bumps can be mildly felt.

The Brembo ventilated disc brakes with high-friction pads stop the car quickly and surely. They bite early if the brake pedal is pressed a little harder than normal. A vertical G sensor in the anti-lock brake control helps ensure optimized brake force.

Bright, highly visible orange-painted front and rear brake calipers with the "F" logo are optional. Lightweight, hand-polished 19-inch forged aluminum wheels carry 35-series tires.     

This is the best-looking Lexus sedan, with its low-slung stance, bold front fascia with functional wide and tall air inlets, triple-beam headlights, carbon-fiber rear spoiler, four functional exhaust tips and a rear diffuser. Also, the grille features a lower molding, and wide front fender flares let excess airflow escape down the car's side. Broad fenders and sculpted rocker panels provide what Lexus calls "visual muscle."

The quiet interior is posh and roomy, but large, heavy doors call for extra effort to open and swing close. Race-car-style bolstered front bucket seats are upholstered in perforated leather, provide power adjustment and are heated and ventilated. However, they sit rather low so one must sort of plop into them and sort of climb out of them.  The rear seat has comfortable space for only two because the center area is stiff. However, that area accommodates a fold-down armrest with cup holders and a covered storage area.

Seat backs don't flip forward for more cargo room, but the trunk has a low, wide opening and is fairly large, at 14 cubic feet.

One doesn't expect anything but a nice interior in a Lexus. The GS F won't disappoint. There's perforated leather and carbon fiber trim, and Alcantara envelops the top of the instrument panel, door trim and center console. The elbow rest is conveniently placed for a driver's right arm, and the extra-large "dead pedal" near the brake pedal is a good place to rest a driver's left foot during a long trip. A small elegant Lexus clock sits in the center of the dashboard, which has easily read gauges. But front seat belts are hard to buckle quickly, requiring an awkward reach.

The GS F is loaded with comfort and convenience features. They include pushbutton start, power tilt/slide moonroof, tilt wheel and climate control system. The industry's first 12.3-inch high-resolution split-screen multimedia display provides immediate, simultaneous access to audio or climate controls and various systems including navigation. A 12-speaker audio system is standard, but there's also an available 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system.

Gauges can be quickly read, and manual controls for the HIV system are handy if one doesn't want to use a screen.

Among standard safety features are 10 air bags, including side curtain air bags, a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection and a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert. Options include premium paint and a heads-up display.

With a Lexus, you've got a luxury car. With a GS F you've got something a lot more.