Used 2018 Lexus GS F for sale 

The sedan is available in a single trim and offers all the bells and whistles one would hope for in a car worth $84,350. It sports a huge 5.0-liter V8 engine, which produces 467 horsepower and uses an 8-speed automatic transmission to send the power to the rear wheels. This car gets torque-vectoring technology for the rear differential, and to further enhance its handling, it gets an adaptive suspension system that shuffles between supple and stiff at a moment's notice.

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With the car being available in only a single trim, there is not much choice there. However, the Lexus GS F is an expensive car, even without the optional extras, such as a heads-up display, painted brake calipers, etc. Only tick the options you need, and you have a deal in your hand.

The engine on the Lexus GS F is a 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8, one of the very few left in the world in these modern times, which churns out 467 horsepower. It uses a slick 8-speed torque-converter automatic transmission, not a dual-clutch transmission like other cars in the class. The engine is not the most powerful unit out there but has more power than the immediate competition. 

The same cannot be said for the transmission though, which is a traditional torque converter unit, not like the lightning-quick dual-clutch gearboxes that come fitted with the competition. As such it is slower than the others but is also smoother. The power is sent to the rear wheels via a torque-vectoring system, which changes the amount of power reaching the individual wheels, thus improving grip and handling.

The Lexus GS F is the most powerful car in this competition but is low on torque figure. Also, it is the most pricey sports sedan here. The BMW M550i and the Audi S6 stay in the same league in terms of power and torque figures while the Mercedes-Benz AMG E 43 produces the lowest engine outputs. 

How quick is the 2018 Lexus GS F from 0-60 MPH?

The first thing you’re going to notice about the Lexus GS F out on the road is the fact that it houses a naturally aspirated engine and it does have an absolute-screaming redline. It sounds very different from the turbocharged engines. Logically, since there’s no turbocharger, there is zero turbo lag in the GS F. 

However, it also means that there is less low-end torque. It powers through a straight line with impressive quickness, going from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. The GS F runs a quarter-mile in just under 13 seconds too, which is seriously quick for a four-door sedan.

The BMW M550i is quicker than the Lexus GS F in both the acceleration test and the quarter-mile run while the Mercedes-Benz AMG E 43 ties with Lexus in acceleration owing to its short gearing, but falls a little behind the quarter-mile time due to lack of power. The Audi S6 focuses more on luxury than performance. It is faster to the 60-mph mark but posts a slower quarter-mile time.

How does the 2018 Lexus GS F handle?

Lexus has long had a dedication to handling feel. Handling of the Lexus GS F is amazingly good, with great feedback from both the steering, as well as the pedals. The steering doesn't bounce around too much when the wheels encounter a bump, which is a boon when driving around on less than perfect roads. 

Track days on the GS F wouldn't be too much of a stretch too, although the understeer might cause you to feel a bit uneasy. Effectively, the torque vectoring axle helps the rear-end of the vehicle be involved in the steering. The GS F has one of the most aggressive torque vectoring axles. It feels very natural but it also feels much more precise and direct. When put into Sport Plus mode, the adaptive suspension turns the ride quality to the firm on a gravel road. 

How are the brakes on the 2018 Lexus GS F?

The braking in the Lexus GS F is handled by 15-inch and 13.6-inch steel disc-brakes in the front and rear respectively. The brakes are super-responsive and the braking action is superb. Combined with a moderate curb weight of a little over 4,000 pounds, it is a light car, taking 110 feet to brake from 60 to 0 mph. If it wouldn’t have been the extra weight of the V8, the braking distance would be less.

No wonder that the BMW 550i has the shortest stopping distance. Its brakes are small in measurement and do a perfect job to halt a 4372-pound car. The Lexus GS F misses the second spot on the table by just one foot which, however, is grabbed by the Mercedes-Benz AMG E 43. The large brakes on the Audi S6 don't work quite efficiently. 

When looking at fuel economy figures, you can understand why the automotive industry is shifting towards forced induction. The biggest drawback of a naturally aspirated engine is the efficiency, and Lexus suffers from the same flaw. It manages to run for 16 miles on a gallon in the city, while on the highway, it can squeeze up to 24 miles on a gallon. Its moderately-sized fuel tank capacity of 17.4 gallons delivers a combined range of 348 miles.

The BMW M550i and the Audi S6 pull the same efficiency figures as the Lexus GS F, which is quite a disappointing feat on their part. The Mercedes-Benz AMG E 43, however, offers better mileage, managing 3 extra miles in the city and 1 on the highway as compared to the GS F.

Lexus brand name has been synonymous with comfort for many years and will continue to be so for many years to come. It can seat a total of five passengers, although, for utmost comfort, it's best you seat four. The seats are cushy and offer good levels of comfort. The leather sport seats add a touch to the cabin because they have a unique stitch pattern.

The aggressive bolstering that this offer definitely keeps you planted in the seats. Compared to rivals, the front seats lack adjustment levels but the back seats are among the most comfortable. The GS F has plenty of room in the front seats as well as the back seats, although the rear legroom could have been better. That's the sacrifice Lexus made, maneuverability in exchange for rear legroom.

The other cars in this comparison, i.e., BMW, Audi, and Mercedes trio, offer better cabin space. The interiors are better too, although this isn't to say that the GS F is a cheaply-built car. It's just that the Japanese manufacturer is not in the same ballpark as the Germans regarding build quality.

How intuitive is the 2018 Lexus GS F’s infotainment system?

The infotainment system in the Lexus GS F offers a 12.3-inch multi-display screen, with a separate touchpad controller, Sat-Nav, and a multimedia interface. The interface feels reasonably intuitive but the mouselike controller pad between the seats can sometimes confuse you. The Lexus Enform app suite has a collection of all the apps to keep you entertained.

The only downside of this infotainment system is that smartphone integration is not available. A sound system with 12 speakers is standard on the GS F but music lovers can shift to a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium sound system. Other features include:

• Satellite Radio W/Real-Time Traffic Satellite Radio
• SD Card Slot
• AM/FM Stereo
• Auxiliary Audio Input
• USB with External Media Control
• Siri Eyes Free
• Bluetooth streaming
• HD radio
• Navigation system

How much cargo capacity does the 2018 Lexus GS F offers?

Rear-wheel-drive cars seldom have proper trunks, especially because of all the mechanism that has to fit in the back. The GS F, however, fits a decent amount of luggage into the trunk, which means two large bags with little space to spare. A cargo volume of 14 cubic feet is available on the GS F. An additional storage is found underneath the load floor. 

The BMW M550i offers the most amount of space, surprisingly huge for a car of such mediocre dimensions. It can fit a full, packed tent in the back, along with some other equipment. The Mercedes-Benz AMG E 43 and the Audi S6 offer just as much space in the boot as the Lexus GS F.

The Lexus GS F is a four-door sedan of moderate dimensions. It is the lightest and the most compact amongst the competition and also has adequate ground clearance, although off-roading adventures are a strict no-no for this sedan. It also has the smallest wheelbase in the class, which sacrifices cabin space for maneuverability, but not significantly. Lexus has the F badge and they also have F-Sport. 

The difference is that the F is the full-on performance model whereas the F-Sport is more of a looks and handling tweak package although you do get a spindle design front grille that is very similar between both models. The enormous grille is fully functional because it helps to cool the vehicle. The GS F gets triple-beam LED headlights with LED daytime running lights that are sort of Nike swoosh. The vents on the side are part of the aerodynamic design. The carbon spoiler on top of the trunk lid and quad exhausts tips stack up the rear end. 

The Audi S6 is the heaviest car here, while the BMW 500i is the largest. All the three German sedans favor luxury over performance to varying degrees and thus have more electronics onboard than the Lexus GS F, which is the primary reason for their extra weight. The Lexus GS Fis a very striking and unique car, which you might either love or hate. The headlamp design is extremely polarizing, and so is the tailgate design. Some of the distinguishing design features of the GS F are:

• Daytime running LED exterior lights
• 19-inch forged wheels
• Aerodynamic body design

The Lexus GS F hasn’t been reviewed by NHTSA but IIHS was generous enough to give ‘Good’ ratings for the three crash tests. The GS F comes loaded with a host of safety features as standard. It gets 10 airbags, including driver and front passenger knee airbags and rear side airbags. Some of the other standard features are listed below:

• Rearview camera
• Automatic high beams
• Lane departure warning with steering assist
• Lane keep assist
• Pre-collision system
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Adaptive cruise control
• Rain-sensing windshield wipers
• Parking sensors

Lexus GS F Vs. Mercedes-Benz AMG E 43 4MATIC

Mercedes and AMG together used to make some of the most wonderful cars on the road. The luxury and power combo is hard to beat, and so is the brand image. Pull up in an AMG Mercedes, and you gain instant respect. However, times are changing, and people now want something more, something unique. The new Mercedes-Benz AMG E 43 isn't very unique and thus loses out on the exclusivity factor.

Lexus GS F Vs. BMW M550i xDrive Sedan

BMW used to be the epitome of performance cars, the one example you would always cite to your buddies during a motorhead conversation. It has specially engineered the new BMW M550i  to offer just a little more than all its rivals do. A petty, but very effective strategy, as this is the best car in the segment currently. But, in typical BMW fashion, it has harsh ride quality and steering that requires massive bicep strength. Still, it is the car for people who love to drive.

Lexus GS F Vs. Audi S6

The Audi S6 is perhaps the most luxury vehicle you can have for this price, as it is unmatched in every area related to comfort. The magic carpet ride, the smooth, jerk-free gearbox, the unhurried engine pace, all scream comfort. The interior space is also plenty, and if you prefer to be driven around most of the time, then this is the perfect car for the job.

The 2018 Lexus GS F is a phenomenal car that does everything a car should and then more. It is comfortable, engaging to drive, is quick enough to be exciting, and will definitely garner attention everywhere it goes. The main clincher though is the price. It commands a $10,000 strong premium over its German rivals. The expense is hard to justify unless you are a real enthusiast and want to buy one of the few remaining cars to offer a big naturally aspirated engine, the last of a dying breed. If only it had ceramic brakes, but that's a story for another time.