Used 2020 Lexus GS F Base for sale 

The GS F is the most powerful and performance-oriented sibling of Lexus’s GS lineup. It gets a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 churning 467 hp and 389 lb.-ft. torque, which also makes the GS F the most competent Lexus ever. Other GS F-specific features include torque-vectoring differential, five drive modes and adaptive suspension.

While these features enhance the GS F’s sportiness, power tilt-and telescoping sport steering wheel, race-inspired instrumentation, high-back sport seats, aluminum pedals and paddle-shifters help the driver stay ready-to-race at all times.

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The GS F is an exclusive offering from Lexus that has no alternatives. It is a single, all-inclusive package that inculcates in itself practically all the features one would need. Though a handful of individual packages can enhance this Lexus’s exclusivity.

The Lexus GS F is a unique sedan, even for Lexus. It gets a high-revving, naturally aspirated V8 capable of producing 467 hp and 389 lb.-ft. torque. A quick-shifting eight-speed automatic gearbox channels all that power and torque to the back of this Lexus sedan. Both eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drivetrain are stand-alone choices on the GS F.

The eight-speed automatic unit, with Sport Direct-shift feature, allows you to hold gears and take charge of this Lexus sedan with the help of steering-wheel mounted paddle-shifters to engage the enthusiast in you. At the same time, its rear-wheel drivetrain with Lexus-first torque-vectoring differential improves agility and straight-line stability.

The Lexus GS F is the only sedan in this segment to get a V8 where most others only get a V6. This puts the GS F well ahead of all the others. It is the Giulia Quadrifoglio, however, that impresses most with its 505 hp 2.9-liter V6.

How fast is the Lexus GS F?

The Lexus GS F features five driving modes, of which, it feels most lively in Sport+ mode. Even the torque-vectoring differential, a first in the Lexus lineup, features three modes for improved grip and stability, while the F-adaptive suspension stiffen up for a more responsive feel while accelerating.

With mounds of power from the burly V8 and requisite rigidity in Sport+ mode, the GS F 350 sets off with great zeal. Like any other Lexus, however, the GS F is also on the calmer side of things. Despite having all the power and the ability to use it, the GS F is never in a hurry to strike a blow. Rather it takes its own time to fire up. The fact that this Lexus is no lightweight also affects acceleration.

There is no beating the lightweight Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, not even for the V8 powered GS F. The Giulia Quadrifoglio might only get a 2.9-liter V6, pretty petite as compared to the 5.0-liter V8 of the GS F, but at 505 hp its V6 is more powerful than any other sedan in this lineup.

What about the braking performance of the Lexus GS F?

Helping this Lexus sedan in coming to a standstill are brakes from Brembo on all its corners. The larger, six-piston monoblock calipers up front and smaller, four-piston monoblock calipers at the back are more than capable of shedding this sedan’s speed.

All four disc brakes of the GS F are slotted and ventilated so they don’t heat up even after repeated harsh braking. Also keeping the brakes from heating up are large air intakes up front. So any person driving this Lexus need not worry about fading response.

The 14.9-inch front disc brakes of the Lexus GS F are the largest in the segment, which is totally justified keeping in mind how much this sedan weighs. Yet it is the lightweight Giulia Quadrifoglio that manages to stop as well as it accelerates.

What about its driving dynamics?

The GS F is a very driver-focused Lexus as is proven by its sport steering wheel, aluminum pedals, paddle-shifters and race-inspired display gauge. To further enhance the driver’s experience, the GS F also features five driving modes: Normal, Comfort, Eco, Sport and Sport+. Even the torque-vectoring differential gets three settings: Standard, Slalom and Track. Of all the three modes, the Standard mode offers most optimized balance between performance and efficiency.

Things only get more rad from here on. In the Slalom mode, the steering becomes a lot more responsive and the torque-vectoring differential stiffens things up for better agility. Most fun in the GS F, however, is had when you set the differential in Track mode. Doing so allows the eight-speed automatic with sport direct-shift transmission to hold on to a shorter gear as you enter a curve, ensuring an abundance of power as you charge out of them. At the same time, the torque-vectoring differential sends more power to the rear, outside wheel for improved composure around turns.

However, the Lexus GS F is also fairly radical. Its well put together chassis and F-adaptive suspension make up for commendable rigidity without compromising comfort. This Lexus might have been honed for the track, but commands composure even off of it by comfortably gliding over bumps and undulations over roads that are not as smooth.

Never does a V8 offer great efficiency, and the one on the GS F is no different. All that power makes the 5.0-liter V8 eat like a raging monster. Also the fact that the GS F is significantly heavy, further reduces its efficiency. If it were not for its relatively large fuel tank, the GS F does disappoint as far as practicality is concerned.

Owning a V8 makes things just that much more uncomfortable for the GS F. It returns only average fuel efficiency but a large fuel tank helps improve its range. In that case, it is the 505 hp Giulia Quadrifoglio that suffers the most.

On the inside, the GS F feels a lot more premium and upscale for its price and segment, and at the same time more focused towards the driver. Everything from the high-back sport seats to the dynamic instrument gauges will make you want to take charge of the GS F. Also the black carbon fiber accents and soft leather-trimmed seats feel simply top-notch.

What disappoints about this Lexus sedan though is its constricting second row. While headroom is sufficient, legroom in the second row can be discerning for taller passengers who will rue longer commutes.

Space in the second row of this Lexus sedan is definitely not at par with others, specially the Mercedes-Benz AMG E 53. That sedan has the most accommodating cabin.

Does it come loaded with tech inside?

Adding a modern flair to the GS F’s cabin is a large 12.3-inch split-screen multimedia display with the following tech:

• Lexus Enform Destination assist
• Navigation
• Bluetooth
• Lexus Enform app suite
• Lexus Enform service connect
• Siri eyes free
• HD radio
• Homelink

What about utility?

The Lexus GS F might compromise on second-row space but does well to impress with the size of its trunk. The longer wheelbase and minimalistic design equips this sedan with a boot big enough to offer decent practicality.

At 14.0 cubic feet, the Lexus GS F does well to offer decent a spacious boot. That however is no match to what the Ghibli has to offer, and a lot of that results from the fact that the Maserati has the longest wheelbase.

Creature comforts on offer in the Lexus GS F

As a premium offering from lexus, the GS F sedan boasts a wide variety of convenience features that enhance the level of indulgence for occupants inside it. They include features like:

• Smart Access
• Remote touch
• Color head-up display
• USB-equipped center console
• 17-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound system
• Power tilt/telescoping steering wheel
• Heated and ventilated front row seats

The GS F might be the most performance-oriented and powerful Lexus sedan, but looks a lot more sedate. Except for its imposing front grille and large intakes on the front bumper, the GS F carries over a very minimalistic design statement.

Up front, the massive Lexus spindle grille is flanked by premium triple-beam LED headlamps at the sides and unusually large air-vents at the bottom. The flared fenders bulge out to accommodate those vents and add to the GS F’s bulk.

Things at the sides, however, are relatively dialed down. Clean, straight lines flow all the way to the back making this Lexus look like a proper sedan. Things at the back again take a sporty turn with carbon-fiber rear spoiler and stacked quad-tip exhaust pipes.

No sedan in this segment is as puny as the Giulia Quadrifoglio. However, it’s the Mercedes-Benz AMG E 53 that is heftiest of them all. But both the GS F and Ghibli are relatively bulky as well.

What are those eye catching features?

The most noticeable exterior features incorporated in the GS F’s exterior styling that make it look like a proper sedan that can rule the tracks are:

• Lexus spindle grille
• Premium triple-beam LED headlamps
• Air vents on front bumper
• Flared and vented fenders
• LED taillamps
• Carbon fiber rear spoiler
• Quad-tip exhaust outlets

The Lexus GS F, as a premium offering from a luxury brand that sits on top of the GS lineup, not only offers a wide variety of performance and comfort features but also comes well equipped with all the necessary safety features which are as follows:

• Lexus Safety System+
• Lexus Enform safety connect
• 10 airbag system
• Rigid body structure with crumple zones
• Blind spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Backup camera with dynamic gridlines
• Intuitive parking assist

Lexus GS F vs. Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio

It’s hard not just for the GS F but for pretty much any other sedan out there to offer the kind of performance that the Giulia Qadrifoglio offers. This Alfa Romeo though is also a tad bit more practical than the GS F. For starters, the Giulia Quadrifoglio is less expensive than this Lexus sedan. It also has a more accommodating cabin, and even though both these sedans offer about equal levels of practicality, the Giulia Quadrifoglio with its higher levels of performance and less expensive price tag impresses a lot more.

Lexus GS F vs. Mercedes-Benz AMG E 53

The Mercedes-Benz AMG E 53 is the less expensive sedan in this case. At the same time, it is more punchier despite having a smaller capacity engine. The fact that this Merc is also more accommodating and offers better efficiency than the Lexus simply makes it a more sensible choice. The only thing that actually works for the GS F is its bigger boot.

The Lexus GS F is most definitely a very premium offering from Lexus. It gets all the bells and whistles to make it stand out. As compared to other sedans in this segment though the GS F does appear to be a little less impressive. It is also a bit expensive for its class, but that is still understandable considering its exclusive V8 and top-quality materials. Overall, the Lexus GS F is a mixed-bag of sorts rather than being as exclusive as it wants to be.