Lexus GS

Generations compared for a buyer

The Lexus GS has 7 generations in these data. Same family name, not the same car to buy.

The Lexus GS has 7 generations in these data. Same family name, not the same car to buy.

4 generation, restyling (2015–2018) is the last GS here. Five versions: 2.0 AT, two 3.5 AT cars (311 hp RWD and 316 hp AWD), 2.5 CVT, 3.5 CVT. This is the only generation with Turbo on gasoline engines and the only one with Euro 6 on several versions. Tank 65 l. Ground clearance 130 mm on four of five versions, 140 mm on the AWD 3.5 AT.

4 generation (2011–2015) is the same body generation before restyling. Six versions: three 3.5 AT at the same 317 hp (AWD 6-speed, RWD 6-speed, RWD 8-speed), 2.5 AT, 3.5 CVT, 2.5 CVT. No Turbo. Injection is Distributed injection (multi-point). Tank 66 l. Clearance 145 mm on all six. Eco class Euro 4 where measured.

What restyling changed, in numbers: gasoline 3.5 AT power went from 317 hp to 311 hp (RWD) or 316 hp (AWD). Combined consumption stayed 10.2 l/100 km on those V-shaped 6 cars. Tank fell 1 l (66 to 65). Clearance fell 15 mm on RWD (145 to 130) and 5 mm on AWD (145 to 140). The restyled 2.5 CVT Hybrid mixed use fell from 4.8 to 4.4 l/100 km (−0.4). The restyled 3.5 CVT mixed use fell from 6.1 to 5.9 (−0.2). Kerb weight on 3.5 CVT fell 90 kg (1,910 to 1,820). Restyling also added the 2.0 AT (1998 cm³, 245 hp, Turbo) and dropped the 2.5 AT gasoline 6-cylinder.

3 generation, restyling (2007–2011) is the last GS with an 8-cylinder: 4.6 AT 347 hp. Also 3.5 AT 307 hp AWD, 3.5 AT 305 hp RWD, 4.3 AT 279 hp, 3.0 AT 249 hp, 3.5 CVT 296 hp. Tank 71 l. Clearance 150 mm. No Turbo.

3 generation (2004–2007) is the widest gasoline spread: four 3.0 AT (231 hp AWD, 231 hp RWD, 249 hp RWD, 249 hp AWD), two 3.5 AT (305 hp RWD and AWD), two 4.3 AT (279 hp and 300 hp), 3.5 CVT 296 hp. Tank 71 l. Clearance 130–150 mm depending on version.

2 generation, restyling (2000–2004) is a four-car choice: two 3.0 AT (219 hp and 228 hp) and two 4.3 AT (283 hp and 294 hp). All RWD, Automatic 5-speed, tank 80 l, clearance 150 mm.

2 generation (1997–2000) is the only GS with 4.0 AT (294 hp and 304 hp). Also two 3.0 AT (228 hp and 222 hp). Tank 75 l.

1 generation (1993–1997) is only 3.0 AT, four times: 212 hp RWD, 212 hp AWD, 219 hp RWD, 226 hp RWD. Automatic 4-speed. Three of the four weigh 2,120 kg kerb — the heaviest GS figures in the set. The 226 hp 3.0 AT is the light first-generation car at 1,675 kg.

Engines and specs

Specific output from the same figures: restyled 2.0 AT is 245 / 1.998 ≈ 122.6 hp per litre — the densest gasoline GS here. Restyled 3.5 AT 311 hp is 90.0 hp/l. 4 generation 2.5 AT is 83.2 hp/l. 4.6 AT is 347 / 4.608 ≈ 75.3 hp/l. First-generation 3.0 AT 212 hp is 70.7 hp/l. The 8-cylinder cars buy displacement, not specific output.

Engine placement, where measured, is Front, longitudinal. Valves per cylinder, where measured, are 4. Restyled gasoline 3.5 AT and 2.0 AT use Direct injection (direct); fourth-generation pre-restyle gasoline uses Distributed injection (multi-point). Restyled 2.0 AT and 3.5 AT 311 hp take 92 fuel; the AWD 3.5 AT 316 hp takes 95. Several second-generation cars take 98.

Performance and economy

Fastest 0–100 km/h among late cars: 4 generation, restyling 3.5 AT 311 hp at 5.7 s, matching 4 generation 3.5 AT 317 hp 8-speed RWD at 5.7 s and 2 generation 4.0 AT 294 hp at 5.7 s. 3 generation, restyling 4.6 AT is 5.8 s. 3.5 CVT Hybrid is 5.9 s on both fourth-generation cycles (292 hp) and 5.9 s on third-generation 3.5 CVT (296 hp). Slowest in the last generation: 2.5 CVT 9.0 s restyled, 9.2 s pre-restyle. First generation 3.0 AT is 8.8 s on all four versions.

Top speed: catalogue peak is 2 generation 4.0 AT 304 hp at 261 km/h. Several 8-cylinder and hybrid cars sit at 250 km/h: restyled 3.5 CVT, 4.6 AT, 4.3 AT, 4.0 AT 294 hp. AWD 3.5 AT cars in fourth generation are capped at 190 km/h even when power is 316–317 hp — 40 km/h below the RWD 311 hp restyle (230 km/h). Third-generation AWD 3.5 AT 307 hp is also 190 km/h; third-generation AWD 3.5 AT 305 hp is 209 km/h. Third-generation 3.0 AT 249 hp AWD is 252 km/h; the RWD 249 hp 3.0 AT on the same generation is 238 km/h.

Fuel (combined), where measured:

• Lowest: restyled 2.5 CVT 4.4 l/100 km (city 4.6, highway 4.3). Pre-restyle 2.5 CVT 4.8.
• Restyled 3.5 CVT 5.9 (city 6.5, highway 5.4) versus pre-restyle 6.1.
• Restyled 2.0 AT 7.9 (city 11.1, highway 6.1).
• 4 generation 2.5 AT 8.9.
• Gasoline 3.5 AT on both fourth-generation cycles: 10.2 combined, even when city falls from 14.6 (317 hp RWD 6-speed) to 11.8 (restyle).
• 4.6 AT 11.0 combined. Third-generation 3.5 AT 11.0–11.1.
• 2 generation, restyling 3.0 AT 228 hp: 13.0 combined; 219 hp: 10.9.
• First generation 3.0 AT 212/219 hp: 12.8 (city 17.5, highway 10). Combined on 3.0 AT 226 hp: not measured. Combined on both 4.0 AT cars: not measured. Combined on third-generation 3.0 AT 231 hp (both drives) and 3.0 AT 249 hp AWD: not measured.

CO2, where measured: restyled 2.5 CVT 104 g/km; restyled 3.5 CVT 137; pre-restyle 3.5 CVT 141; restyled 2.0 AT 183; 4 generation 2.5 AT 207; AWD 3.5 AT 316 hp restyle and 317 hp pre-restyle AWD both 237. 2 generation, restyling 4.3 AT 283 hp: 296. CO2 on restyled 3.5 AT 311 hp: not measured. Eco class: restyled 2.0 AT, 2.5 CVT, 3.5 CVT Euro 6; restyled AWD 3.5 AT Euro 5; restyled 3.5 AT 311 hp eco class not measured; fourth generation pre-restyle Euro 4 where stated.

Dimensions and weight

Kerb weight vs power (kg per hp), from the same kerb and hp figures:

• Lightest late RWD V6: 4 generation 3.5 AT 317 hp 8-speed at 1,685 kg → 5.32 kg/hp.
• Restyled 3.5 AT 311 hp: 1,690 kg → 5.43 kg/hp.
• Restyled AWD 3.5 AT 316 hp: 1,730 kg → 5.47. Extra mass versus the 311 hp RWD: 40 kg for AWD, 6 speeds instead of 8, and 1.2 s slower (6.9 vs 5.7).
• Restyled 2.0 AT: 1,665 kg / 245 hp → 6.80 kg/hp.
• Restyled 3.5 CVT: 1,820 kg / 292 hp → 6.23.
• Restyled 2.5 CVT: 1,730 kg / 181 hp → 9.56.
• 4.6 AT: 1,735 kg / 347 hp → 5.00 — among the lowest kg/hp in the whole GS set.
• 2 generation 4.0 AT 304 hp: 1,665 / 304 → 5.48.
• First-generation 212 hp cars: 2,120 / 212 → 10.0 kg/hp. The 226 hp 3.0 AT is 1,675 / 226 → 7.41.

Gross weight, where measured, runs from 2,120 kg (several second-generation and the light first-generation 3.0 AT) to 2,360 kg (4 generation 3.5 CVT). First-generation 212/219 hp gross weight: not measured.

Ground clearance by buying era: 130 mm on restyled RWD cars; 140 mm restyled AWD 3.5 AT; 145 mm entire 4 generation; 150 mm most of third and second generation; 140 mm first generation and a few third-generation versions (3.0 AT 231 hp both drives, 4.3 AT 300 hp, 3.5 AT 305 hp RWD at 130 mm). If you need the extra millimetres, do not buy the restyled RWD cars.

Tank: 80 l (1 generation and 2 generation restyling) → 75 l (2 generation) → 71 l (3 generation both cycles) → 66 l (4 generation) → 65 l (4 generation, restyling). Range arithmetic on combined figures, where both tank and mixed use exist: restyled 2.5 CVT 65 / 4.4 × 100 ≈ 1,477 km; restyled 2.0 AT 65 / 7.9 × 100 ≈ 823 km; restyled gasoline 3.5 AT 65 / 10.2 × 100 ≈ 637 km; 4.6 AT 71 / 11.0 × 100 ≈ 645 km; first-generation 3.0 AT 80 / 12.8 × 100 ≈ 625 km.

Wheels, where measured: restyled 2.0 AT 235/50 R17 or 235/45 R18; restyled both 3.5 AT 235/45 R18 or 235/40 R19; 4 generation 2.5 AT 235/45 R18 or 225/50 R17. All other versions: wheels not measured. Front and rear suspension, where labelled: Independent, spring. Front brakes Ventilated disc; rear brakes Disc ventilated (label as in the data).

Which version to choose

Daily RWD sedan, last cycle, lowest gasoline use. Buy 4 generation, restyling 2.0 AT. Versus restyled 3.5 AT 311 hp you give up 66 hp (245 vs 311) and 1.6 s (7.3 vs 5.7) and keep 230 km/h. You save 2.3 l/100 km combined (7.9 vs 10.2) and 25 kg (1,665 vs 1,690). Torque 350 Nm from 1,650–4,400 rpm versus 380 Nm at 4,800 rpm on the 311 hp car — the Turbo 4 makes its pull lower in the rev range. Fuel 92 on both.

Pace on the last cycle. Buy restyled 3.5 AT 311 hp RWD 8-speed, not the 316 hp AWD. The AWD car has 5 hp more and 40 kg more, uses a 6-speed instead of 8, is 1.2 s slower to 100 km/h, and is limited to 190 km/h versus 230. Combined fuel is the same 10.2. AWD clearance is 140 mm versus 130 mm — that is the measurable AWD extra, plus drive. If AWD is the requirement, this 316 hp car is the only restyled AWD GS.

Lowest litres. Buy restyled 2.5 CVT. Versus restyled 2.0 AT: −3.5 l/100 km combined (4.4 vs 7.9), −79 g/km CO2 (104 vs 183), but 64 hp less (181 vs 245), 1.7 s slower (9.0 vs 7.3), 65 kg heavier (1,730 vs 1,665), and 190 km/h versus 230. Gear count not measured (Variable). If you want hybrid pace, restyled 3.5 CVT is 5.9 s and 250 km/h at 5.9 l/100 km — 1.5 l/100 km more than the 2.5 Hybrid, 111 hp more, 90 kg more.

Same power, cheaper older fourth generation. Pre-restyle 3.5 AT 317 hp 8-speed RWD matches the restyle’s 5.7 s and undercuts kerb weight by 5 kg (1,685 vs 1,690) at 317 vs 311 hp. You lose Turbo, Direct injection (direct), Euro 6 (this car is Euro 4), and you keep 190 km/h instead of 230. Combined fuel still 10.2; city is 12.4 versus 11.8 on the 311 hp restyle. The pre-restyle 3.5 AT 317 hp 6-speed RWD is the heavy one: 1,885 kg, 6.3 s, 14.6 city. Do not buy that 6-speed RWD if an 8-speed 317 hp exists — same hp, 200 kg extra, 0.6 s slower.

AWD without the restyle. 4 generation 3.5 AT 317 hp AWD: 6.3 s, 190 km/h, 1,810 kg, 145 mm, Euro 4, 237 g/km CO2. Versus restyled AWD 316 hp: 0.6 s quicker on the older car, 80 kg heavier, 5 mm more clearance, 1 more hp, same 10.2 combined and same 237 g/km.

V-shaped 8-cylinder. There is no 8-cylinder in generation 4. Closest last 8-cylinder: 3 generation, restyling 4.6 AT — 347 hp, 460 Nm, 5.8 s, 250 km/h, 11.0 combined, 1,735 kg, 8-speed, RWD, 71 l. Versus restyled 3.5 AT 311 hp: +36 hp, +80 Nm, +0.1 s (5.8 vs 5.7), +20 km/h, +0.8 l/100 km, +45 kg, +6 l tank, +20 mm clearance. 3 generation 4.3 AT 300 hp: 6.1 s, 250 km/h, 11.4 combined, 1,700 kg. 3 generation and restyle 4.3 AT 279 hp: 6.1 s, 250, 9.4 combined — the 279 hp 4.3 AT uses 2.0 l/100 km less combined than the 300 hp 4.3 AT at the same 6.1 s and 250 km/h; the extra 21 hp on the 300 hp car does not buy a quicker catalogue sprint. 2 generation 4.0 AT 304 hp: 6.0 s, 261 km/h, fuel not measured, 1,665 kg. 2 generation 4.0 AT 294 hp: 5.7 s, 250 km/h, fuel not measured, same 1,665 kg — the 294 hp 4.0 AT is the quicker of the two 4.0 cars by 0.3 s; the 304 hp car is the faster in top speed by 11 km/h.

Third-generation 6-cylinder without AWD. Restyle 3.5 AT 305 hp: 5.7 s, 250 km/h, 11.1 combined, 1,705 kg. Pre-restyle 3.5 AT 305 hp RWD: 5.9 s, 250, 11.0, 1,640 kg — 65 kg lighter, 0.2 s slower. Pre-restyle 3.5 AT 305 hp AWD: 6.0 s but only 209 km/h, 11.1 combined, 1,705 kg, 150 mm.

Smaller 6-cylinder, fourth generation only. 2.5 AT 208 hp: 8.6 s, 225 km/h, 8.9 combined, 1,715 kg. Versus restyled 2.0 AT: 37 hp less, 1.3 s slower, 5 km/h slower, 1.0 l/100 km more combined, 50 kg more. The Turbo 4 beats the naturally aspirated 2.5 V-shaped 6 on every measured performance and economy figure here. Buy 2.5 AT only if you specifically want that 2500 cm³ 6-cylinder layout.

Second generation 3.0. Prefer 3.0 AT 228 hp (2 generation or restyle) at 8.2 s, 230 km/h, 1,665 kg over 3.0 AT 219 hp restyle at the same 8.2 s and 230 but 1,720 kg and 10.9 vs 13.0 combined — the 219 hp car is 2.1 l/100 km better combined than the 228 hp restyle 3.0, at +55 kg. If combined fuel is the 3.0 buying test on this generation, the 219 hp 3.0 AT wins on litres; the 228 hp 3.0 AT wins on kerb weight and torque (298 vs 282 Nm).

First generation. Only if you want the earliest GS. Prefer 3.0 AT 226 hp RWD: same 8.8 s and 230 km/h as the 212/219 hp cars, but 1,675 kg versus 2,120 kg (445 kg less) and 298 Nm versus 285. Combined fuel on 226 hp: not measured. The 212 hp AWD 3.0 AT does not change 0–100, top speed, tank, or kerb versus 212 hp RWD in these data — AWD here is not paid for in the measured performance sheet.

Problems / reliability. This dataset does not measure fault rates, recall counts, or service life. What it does measure for a reliability-minded buyer is specification simplicity: No boost on every GS except the restyled gasoline 2.0 AT and both restyled 3.5 AT; Hybrid only on 2.5 CVT and 3.5 CVT (and third-generation 3.5 CVT); gearboxes Automatic 4 / 5 / 6 / 8 or Variable. Missing figures (CO2, eco class, wheels, some combined fuel, some compression, some engine placement) are not measured — they are not evidence that the part does not exist.

Short list. Last-cycle gasoline daily: 2.0 AT. Last-cycle speed: 3.5 AT 311 hp. Last-cycle AWD: 3.5 AT 316 hp. Last-cycle economy: 2.5 CVT. Last-cycle hybrid speed: 3.5 CVT. 8-cylinder: 4.6 AT. Light first GS: 3.0 AT 226 hp. Do not pick a same-name 3.5 AT without reading hp, drive, and gear count: the name repeats across 305, 307, 311, 316, and 317 hp.