2019 Lexus GS 300

The 2019 Lexus GS 300 is available in two trim levels: GS 300 RWD and GS 300 F Sport RWD. These trims are equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine. For an additional expense of $4590, you can get the GS 300 F Sport trim which tries to make this luxury sedan a track focused tool.

Trim	GS 300	GS 300 F Sport
MSRP RWD	$46,860	$51,450
Key Features	8-inch high resolution central control screen	Includes all GS 300 standard key features plus:
	241-hp 2.0L I4	Heated front seats
	8-speed automatic transmission	Rear spoiler
	Electronic parking aid - camera	Rear window sunshade
	12 speakers	Color heads-up display
	Lexus Safety System+	F sport leather steering wheel
	Automatic climate control	16-way power adjustable driver's seat
	Dual zone front climate control	19-inch staggered width split five-spoke wheels
	Voice activated controls	F SPORT tuned Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) with Sport S+ mode
	Adaptive cruise control	LFA-inspired instrumentation
	Interior air filter
	Integrated dual exhaust outlets with lateral fins
	10-way power driver and front passenger seats

The base trim is equipped with a great appointment of luxury features. It all starts with aesthetically designed 17-inch nine-spoke alloy wheels. Bi-LED headlamps are a standard feature, the dual exhaust outlets add to its appeal. Features like a 12 speaker audio system, dual zone front climate control, and 10-way adjustable driver seat make it a cabin befitting a luxury sedan.

300 F Sport trim tries to mold this luxury sedan into a sports sedan. It brings a stiffer suspension, bigger wheels and front brakes. Interior is also treated with perforated leather trim and a sport focused black headliner.

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The base GS 300 RWD trim is a good choice if you are shopping for a reasonably priced luxury sedan. The F Sport trim is priced steeply and brings in features that do not complement the GS 300 as a luxury sedan. If you want to take the luxury experience to a higher level then also pick the Navigation package that equips the GS 300 with 12.3-inch screen and full-screen navigation system. For most buyers, we would suggest buyers to choose the base trim for its high-value offering.

Lexus GS 300 is offered with a turbocharged 241-hp inline-four motor which comes mated to a standard 8-speed automatic transmission which powers the rear wheels. This little Lexus engine powers many vehicles across the luxury marque's lineup. You will love the low-end grunt of Lexus's twin-scroll turbocharged engine. The surge of torque at low engine speed makes the GS 300 a competent daily driver.

Lexus GS embodies refinement to its core. From rolling on from a cold start to effortlessly gliding in a stop and go city traffic. Refinement is the greatest virtue of this engine. Yes, it wouldn't offer exhilarant acceleration or lightning quick 0-60 times. But day in and day out, you will love this character of the engine.

Models	Lexus GS 300	Jaguar XF	Genesis G80	Infiniti Q70
MSRP	$47,635	$50,960	$43,045	$51,295
Engine	2.0L i4	2.0L i4	3.8L V6	3.7L V6
Transmission	8 Speed automatic	8 Speed automatic	8 Speed automatic	7 Speed automatic
Horsepower	241 hp@ 5800rpm	247 hp@ 5500rpm	311 hp@ 6000rpm	330 hp@ 7000rpm
Torque	258 ft-lbs@ 1650 rpm	269 ft-lbs@ 1200rpm	293 ft-lbs@ 5000rpm	270 ft-lbs@ 5200rpm

Among the competitors, Infiniti Q70 has impressive raw power output. The 330 hp output is easily the best in this comparison. Compared to the torque output, the Genesis G80 makes a whopping 293 ft-lbs of torque but to extract that you need to sit at the mountain of 5000 rpm which is not possible in real-world conditions. When we consider real-world driving scenarios, the turbo-fours from Jaguar and Lexus have an edge over normally aspirated engines.

Acceleration

2019 Lexus GS sedan completes the zero to sixty mph run in 7.0 seconds. In its bare bones avatar, the GS sedan is more work than fun. The mid-size sedan won't feel sluggish.

This small engine feeds on premium gasoline but belts out 241 horsepower and 258 lb-ft. of torque. Instead of peak torque, the engine offers a meaty flat plateau of torque which operates within 1650 rpm to 4,400 rpm.

Models	Lexus GS 300	Jaguar XF	Genesis G80	Infiniti Q70
0-60 MPH	7 sec	5 sec	6.3 sec	5.6 sec
Quarter mile	N/A	13.5 sec	14.6 sec	14.2 sec
Engine	2.0L i4	2.0L i4	3.8L V6	3.7L V6
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	N/A	6.3	8.9	8.4

The Jaguar XF with its 2.0-liter four-banger is the quickest of this lot - it does naught to sixty in 5 seconds. Jaguar is followed by Infiniti's 5.6 second time. Lexus GS 300 sedan takes the longest to reach the coveted 60mph marker.

Ride and Handling

GS follows the traditional formula, it is rear wheel drive. If you forget the numbers from the spec sheet, the GS sedan has been one of the engaging drivers in the Lexus lineup. The GS sedan is nimble around the corners and has good straight-line stability. The gains are more profound in the F Sport trims which receive an adaptive variable suspension. It allows the driver to select different settings for the suspension from Normal to Sport +.

Engage the Sport mode, and the steering ratio is reduced. Although the gains aren't immediately noticeable to the eye it makes for a good feel through the F-Sport's steering wheel.

Braking

Under emergency braking, Lexus GS 300 comes to a standstill from 70 mph within 174 feet. The braking performance is average for the mid-size luxury segment.

You will need some time to get used to modulating the brake pedal. If you want to add more stopping power, then the F Sport trim comes with larger brakes and staggered tire setup for more traction.

Model	Lexus GS 300	Jaguar XF	Genesis G80	Infiniti Q70
Brake Front (in.)	N/A	12.8	13.6	12.6
Brake Rear (in.)	N/A	12.8	12.4	12.1
Curb Weight (lbs.)	3805	3590	4195	3876
70-0 MPH (ft.)	174	170	167	167

Infiniti Q70 and Genesis G80 offer similar braking performance, taking an identical 167 feet to stop from 70 mph. The Jaguar XF takes 170 feet to achieve similar performance. Lexus GS covers the most distance while stopping from 70 mph.

The base GS 300 trim does a good job at running efficiently. 2019 GS sedan scores 26 mpg of combined mileage. The credit goes to use of direct injection and turbocharging with a small 2.0-liter engine. Additional benefits include lower emission and more usable torque.

Model	Lexus GS 300	Jaguar XF	Genesis G80	Infiniti Q70
MPG (city)	22	25	19	18
MPG (highway)	32	34	27	25
MPG (combined)	26	28	22	21
Tank Capacity (gal)	17.4	19.5	20.3	20.0
Range (miles) (city/highway)	383/557	488/663	386/548	360/500

2019 Jaguar XF leads the pack with a combined mpg of 28. It is followed by Lexus GS. The aging V6 engines from Infiniti and Genesis score 21 and 22 respectively.

Space is good for passengers in front and rear. It is an undeniable fact that GS looks like an expensive Toyota but for the beautiful fit and finish, you wouldn't be complaining a lot. As you enter the cabin you will be greeted by high-quality materials.

Everything is purposefully built, important touch points are finished in quality leather. Even the base GS trim gets a 10-way adjustable seat for the driver. The Lexus Memory System would gladly remember your seating position. So, finding and keeping your favorite driving position wouldn't be a hassle at all.

Model	Lexus GS 300	Jaguar XF	Genesis G80	Infiniti Q70
Passenger capacity	5	5	5	5
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	38.0/57.3/42.3	37.5/NA/NA	41.1/58.3/45.7	39.1/58.4/44.4
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	37.8/55.7/36.8	38.2/NA/NA	38.2/57.1/35.0	37.7/56.7/36.2

Infotainment System

Lexus GS is offered with an 8.0-inch color display screen. The standard system comes with a 12-speaker system. If you want a more immersive audio experience then pick the optional Mark Levinson audio system.

You can upgrade to a larger 12.3-inch screen by opting for the Navigation package. Some important features available with the GS 300 sedan are:

• 1 surround sound
• Advanced voice recognition
• AM/FM/DVD with HD radio and WMA/MP3 capability
• Aux and iPhone®/USB input plugs
• Bluetooth streaming
• Digital signal processing with Automatic Sound Levelizer (ASL)

Interior Features

The GS sedan offers a well-appointed interior trim. Some of these features are mentioned below:

• Contrast stitching on soft vinyl wrapped upper I/P, seats, door panels and shift boot
• Aluminum alloy "Lexus" stamped scuff plates on all door sills
• LED ambient lighting integrated into door ornamentation and RTI surround area
• Lexus Analog clock with GPS time zone functionality
• Optitron analog instrument cluster with color 4.2-inch TFT Multi-Information Display
• Remote Touch Interface (RTI) with enter and back buttons
• Steering wheel multimedia, cruise control and multi-information display controls
• Rear A/C vents on the back of center console

Cargo volume

The trunk opening is well designed, it is broad and offers easy access for luggage. The only major downside - rear seats don't fold down. The interior has decent space for small items. The glove box is useful, the center console opens wide. The rear armrest also offers two cup holders and a storage bin for miscellaneous items. Still, the 14.3 cu-ft. of cargo space is one of the lowest offerings in this segment.

Model	Lexus GS 300	Jaguar XF	Genesis G80	Infiniti Q70
Cargo Volume (ft.3)	14.3	17.8	15.3	14.9

Lexus GS 300 doesn't stand out, at least dimensionally. It measures 192.1-inches from one bumper to another. It has a moderate ground clearance at 5.1-inches. At 112.2-inches, it is equipped with the shortest wheelbase in this comparison. The GS sedan commands attention with its spindle grille. It looks really angry and breaks off from the conservative design tone set by the German competitors.

GS stands out from its German rivals, thanks to a neat work on the spindle grille. Due to the design, the GS sedan looks fast even when standing still. It's for sure, the GS isn't meant for the shy. Unlike the ubiquitous white, black and silver, the GS is available in the bright palette of colors. The aggressive headlights enhance the front fascia. The rear lights also add some visual depth to the design. If you want to stand out then take a good look at the F Sport trim. With its pronounced bumpers and exquisite nine-spoke alloy wheels is nothing short of a piece of automotive art.

Model	Lexus GS 300	Jaguar XF	Genesis G80	Infiniti Q70
Curb weight (lbs.)	3805	3590	4195	3876
Length(in)	192.1	195.0	196.5	196.1
Width(in)	72.4	78.2	74.4	72.6
Height(in)	57.3	57.4	58.3	59.1
Ground clearance (in)	5.1	4.1	5.3	6.0
Wheelbase (in)	112.2	116.5	118.5	114.2
Track width (in) F/R	62/62.6	61.4/61.8	64.1/65.3	62/61.6

The Genesis G80 is the heaviest of the lot and it tips the scales at 4195 lbs. The G80 sedan also steals the crown for the longest sedan in this comparison. It also offers good interior room due to a 118.5-inch wheelbase. The Infiniti sedan follows the G80 sedan closely. The Lexus GS doesn't fare well in the proportions game.

2019 GS 300 sedan is factory fitted with Lexus Safety System+ that shows the manufacturer's commitment to offering best in class safety features. GS sedan offers the following safety features:

• Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection
• All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control and Lane Departure Alert (LDA) with Steering Assist
• Electronic traction control
• Stability control
• 4 wheel abs brakes
• Front airbags
• Front side airbag
• Side head curtain airbag
• Side impact door beams
• Daytime running lights

Lexus GS 300 vs Jaguar XF

The 2.0-liter turbo-four engine is a good offering in the mid-level luxury sedan segment. Even in the base trim, the XF packs a decent punch with this engine. But in matters of raw power, the Q70 is ponies ahead of the Jag.

The XF blends practicality and when pushed hard doesn't fail to show its fun to drive nature. The XF has been designed and built well and it provides a tough time to the Japanese and German competitors.

Lexus GS 300 vs Genesis G80

Genesis G80 offers a luxurious interior with a generous list of safety features, and latest smartphone integration technology. It has a very powerful engine lineup, like the Infiniti Q70 its average fuel economy isn't what we call efficient.

But it also has a below-class-average starting price, which makes the G80 a good value and deserving of a high spot on your list.

Lexus GS 300 vs Infiniti Q70

Infiniti Q70 takes an old school approach here - there are 2 mills on offer. A 330 hp V6 and 416 hp V8. The bare bones 3.7 Luxe trim will cost you $50,300. If you need the extra legroom in the back, the price will bump to $51,800.

Lack of features restricts you from having a premier luxury sedan experience But if we talk about value per dollar, then Infiniti Q70 sedan shines in a different light. It can easily pass off for a $75,000 car. If you are going to be behind the wheel a lot, the V8 engine will make you grin ear to ear.

The GS sedan doesn't score high on utility. The rear cargo space is below average. The infotainment system can be tricky to use in the beginning. The available 2.0-liter engine is best suited for A to B driving. It doesn't take well to enthusiastic input from the driver.

If you don't mind the attention, the GS is styled to announce its presence with a bold design, a massive grille, and an array of bright paint schemes. Lexus being one of the most reputed luxury brands around will mean lesser breakdowns and repair bills. If you are in for the long haul and wish to drive your car for a very long time, then GS 300 sedan is a good choice.