2019 Lexus GS 350

Which GS 350 does Edmunds recommend?

Overall rating

Many luxury automakers highlight their sedans' performance capabilities to attract attention. But what if you simply want a comfortable upscale sedan without the theatrics or sticker shock? Enter the 2019 Lexus GS 350.

The GS 350's V6 isn't a powerhouse, but it's responsive, sounds good and is available in an all-wheel-drive version for those who want extra traction in wet-weather conditions. (Lexus doesn't offer all-wheel drive on the four-cylinder GS 300.) We also like that the GS 350's precise handling and steering don't compromise ride quality. Competitive pricing of the GS is another potential draw.

On the downside, this GS generation has been around a while. Style-wise, it won't land you at the front of a valet line. Also, Lexus' distracting-to-use infotainment system is one of the least appealing in the luxury segment. Overall, though, the GS 350 is a sedan worth considering.

What's it like to live with?

Edmunds' editorial team purchased and lived with a Lexus GS 350 for a year. In that time, we drove the GS for more than 20,000 miles and came to appreciate its high levels of fit and finish as well as its smooth road manners over long distances. Since our ownership experience, Lexus has added new features, but many of our observations remain relevant. Check out our long-term GS 350 test page for a more detailed look into our ownership experience.

2019 Lexus GS 350 models

The 2019 Lexus GS 350 comes in two main versions: base and F Sport. Both come with a 3.5-liter V6 (311 horsepower, 280 lb-ft of torque), an eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive. All-wheel is optional, but it comes with a six-speed automatic instead of the eight-speed.

Standard equipment for the base GS 350 includes 18-inch wheels, LED headlights, a sunroof, ambient LED cabin lighting, keyless ignition and entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable front seats (heated and ventilated), leather upholstery, driver-seat memory settings, a power-adjustable steering wheel and a power rear sunshade.

Standard tech content includes Bluetooth, the Remote Touch infotainment interface, a navigation system, voice controls, smartphone app integration, a 12.3-inch display screen and a 12-speaker sound system. Various driver safety aids (blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and the Lexus Safety System + suite of advanced active safety features) are also included.

Note that on the all-wheel-drive GS 350, leather upholstery is optional by way of the Premium package, which also includes heated and ventilated front seats and a power rear sunshade.

The rear-wheel-drive F Sport ups the ante on handling with 19-inch wheels with summer performance tires, a sport-tuned adaptive suspension and bigger front brakes. It offers the option of four-wheel steering or a limited-slip rear differential. The F Sport has more aggressive front and rear bumper and grille styling, power sport seats and different interior trim pieces. All-wheel drive is available, but it's not quite as sporty and doesn't have the option for four-wheel steering or the limited-slip rear differential.

On all GS 350s, key stand-alone options include parking sensors, a premium Mark Levinson sound system and a power-operated trunk opener.

Trim tested

Driving

Lexus' V6 engines are admirable for their silky smooth rev quality and decent punch. But competitors have improved over the years and now produce turbocharged four-cylinders that can not only keep pace with this V6 but are more efficient as well. We managed a 0-60 mph sprint in 6.4 seconds, which isn't slow but is also unremarkable for the class. What hasn't changed is how well this engine works with the eight-speed automatic transmission, making it a breeze for daily duty.

As pleasant as the GS is to wheel around, we expected more in both braking and handling ability, especially in F Sport trim. Our tester felt pretty tame and uninspiring.

Comfort

If there's anything Lexus does consistently well, it's a quiet interior, and the GS is proof of that. Overall it's serene, with only mild amounts of wind and road noise. The comfy seats complement the experience, offering great adjustability for the front passengers and plenty of padding on all the armrests.

And though we tested an F Sport model, ride quality was surprisingly not harsh and nicely controlled. The only thing that left us unimpressed was the climate system. It didn't quite meet our cooling demands on a particularly hot day, and we found the layout of the controls to be initially confusing.

Interior

Our GS tester came with Lexus' older joystick-style mouse interface, which is a hassle to use in trying to navigate the infotainment system. A lot of the functions are locked out once the vehicle is in motion for safety reasons, but we often found it difficult to work quickly enough to get things done at stoplights.

What the GS lacks in a friendly user interface, it makes up for in great natural visibility, easy cabin entry and exit, and a good range of driver-seat adjustments that allow it to accommodate a variety of people. Space within the cabin is about on par for the segment, even if it looks a little cozier than others.

Utility

At 14.3 cubic feet, the GS has a hair more cargo space than German competitors. But since the rear seats do not fold down, it severely limits the length of cargo you can load; there's only a ski pass-through. That's kind of inconvenient and uncommon for this class. The optional automatic trunk seems a bit weird in this application, but it is still nice to have if you're of the minimal-effort ilk.

Storage within the cabin is sparse, limited to an awkward sliding armrest and cupholders that unfortunately obscure access to the seat temperature controls when deployed. We also found it oddly difficult to install a car seat base, though we knew exactly where the anchors were located. Not a problem if you don't swap bases out regularly.

Technology

Lexus is beginning to add Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to its vehicles, but it hasn't trickled down to GS models just yet. You can still play your tunes via Bluetooth — just remember to connect before you hit the road (you can't pair on the go). The onboard nav is useful in lieu of using your smartphone maps, and it works best through the voice controls. No need to fumble with the joystick interface.

As far as driver aids go, all the usual features are here, such as adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist and blind-spot monitoring. The systems work, but they aren't calibrated as well to maintain tight traffic gaps or keep you in the middle of your lane, so you need to pay them more attention. That's maybe not such a bad thing, considering the level of distracted driving these days.