2020 Lexus GS F Review: Sports Sedan With Old-School Power
The full-frontal attack on large capacity, naturally aspirated V8 and V12 performance cars, is reaching boiling point; the majority of people are asking for smaller capacity turbocharged engines that offer similar performance, but use less fuel - at least on paper. The mere fact that the Lexus GS F exists at all is a reason to celebrate then: with an all-motor V8 under the hood sending power to the rear wheels, the GS F is the Gordon Gekko of the performance sedan world, fighting its way through a legion of Elon Musks in Teslas and muted turbocharged powerhouses. The 2020 car gets a set of refreshed wheels, some neat interior options, and that same great 5.0-liter V8 engine that makes us believe that people's passion for old-school power isn't disappearing just yet.
What's the Price of the 2020 Lexus GS F?
You'll have to pay for the privilege of owning a V8-powered Lexus GS: with the V6-powered GS 350 coming in with an MSRP of $51,395 in RWD configuration, the GS F comes in with a total cost of $85,010. These prices do not include delivery, processing, and a handling fee of $1,025. Compared to its rivals, the Lexus also looks pricey; the more powerful, spacious, and frugal BMW M550i xDrive comes in at $76,650, and the equally impressive Mercedes-AMG E53 Sedan will set you back only $73,800, around $11,000 less than the Lexus. Fully equipped, the GS F will cost $89,690.
Handling and Driving Impressions
Lexus could've taken the easy way out by dropping a big V8 in an ordinary GS chassis and calling it a day, but that's not the Lexus way - not by a long shot. The GS F is absolutely stuffed with handling and chassis upgrades, which explains its handling capabilities. Under the sculpted body, you'll find front and rear chassis bracing, a linear adaptive variable suspension system, and a front and rear suspension system that makes use of forged aluminum upper and lower control arms, a stabilizer bar, and exclusively-tuned coil springs and bushings, as well as optimized suspension arm bushings. All of this is attached to a Brembo performance brake kit and sticky Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires.
What this translates to is a four thousand pound executive sedan that handles like it's on rails. In Normal mode, the steering is well-weighted, and turn-in is sharp, but it still manages to soak up road imperfections with ease. Switching up to the more serious Sport Mode Plus makes things noticeably sharper, and stiffer. There's tons of mid-corner grip from the large tires, but step on the gas pedal and the GS F will happily let go of any sense of traction. Despite the power deficit over the best from BMW M and Mercedes-AMG, the GS F is a purer experience, which makes us wonder if the power wars have really improved the segment at all?
Verdict: Is the 2020 Lexus GS F A Good car?
We are on the doorstep of driving fully autonomous electric vehicles, so the fact that you can still buy a rear-wheel-drive executive sedan with a naturally aspirated V8 is one worth celebrating. The GS F is a beautifully balanced car, not only in terms of performance and handling but in the way it manages to look muscular without the need for massive wings and wheels, or in the way it can disappear under the radar when painted the right shade of black but snarl at passers-by at the slightest jab of the throttle. The high-compression V8 found under the hood of the GS F is a gem of an engine, and despite the fact that it likes to drink, it forces the driver to wring its neck to get the most out of it, but will happily burble along if unprovoked. The interior might be cramped in comparison to its rivals, but the interior of the GS F is a beautiful place to be. Although we wish the GS F could truly rival the M5 and E63, it simply doesn't have the firepower. But, viewed in isolation, it's a simply superb machine.
What Lexus GS F Model Should I Buy?
Since you only have a single option, we'll tell you why you should purchase the $85,010 2020 Lexus GS F. Firstly, it's a V8-powered RWD muscle car, but the fact that it comes from Japan makes it even cooler. The GS F's 5.0-liter V8 features forged connecting rods and titanium valve springs, which allows it to rev past 7,000 rpm and produces 467 hp and 389 lb-ft of torque. This is enough for a zero to sixty sprint time of 4.5 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 12.8 seconds. Lexus has also focussed on its handling and overall driving experience, which explains the presence of adaptive suspension, Brembo performance brakes and extensive chassis bracing. So it drives good, but it looks just as good: triple-beam LED headlights, carbon fiber exterior trim, and black 19-inch alloy wheels give the GS F a seriously mean look. Inside there's enough tech and safety equipment to make even the most tech-savvy driver happy, and the sport bucket seats, wrapped in two-tone leather, adds a bit of motorsport to the Wall Street-feel cabin. If we had the money, it would be Smoky Granite Mica in color, and we'd also get the optional head-up display and BBS wheels.
2020 Lexus GS F Comparisons
2020 Lexus GS F vs Lexus IS
The Lexus IS is the smallest sedan that the Japanese luxury automaker offers for sale, and it slots in under the Lexus ES and GS. The IS is renowned for its surefooted and sporty driving experience, and the 2020 car is one of the best driving compact executive cars on sale today. Power is provided by a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four gas engine that produces 241 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque or a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 producing 311 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy ranges between 21/30/24 mpg and 19/26/21 mpg city/highway/combined. Power is sent to the rear or all four wheels via an eight-speed auto transmission. Although the IS is classified as an executive sedan, the GS feels decidedly more refined and classy inside. Surprisingly, the IS offers about the same interior space as the largest GS but offers significantly less trunk space at 10.8 cubic feet. The IS shares its safety tech with the larger GS but has to settle for a less impressive infotainment system. The IS starts off at $38,560. We'd spend the extra money and get the more powerful GS F. The two are truly leagues apart, and the performance aspect of the F-tuned GS appeals to us.
2020 Lexus GS F vs Lexus RC F
If the GS F is the executive board member, then the RC F is most definitely a non-exec. The compact luxury coupe shares its 5.0-liter V8 engine with the GS F but receives a few special tweaks which allow it to produce 472 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque, and the Track Edition model will sprint to sixty in only 3.96 seconds. The RC F makes use of the same eight-speed auto transmission, which sends power to the same trick diff in the rear. Despite being over 100 pounds lighter than the GS F, the RC F shares its fuel economy figure of 16/24/19 mpg city/highway/combined. The most obvious difference between these two cars is the fact that the one is a coupe and the other a sedan, which means you get less space for people and their stuff in the RC F. Where the RC F shines is out on the track, where it feels more focused and light-footed than the GS F. Both cars do what they do brilliantly, but the RC F does it with more flair and focus. The RC F costs $64,900, making it more performance for less money - a winner in our eyes.