2020 Lexus GS F Review

Name: 2020 Lexus GS F
Brand: Lexus
Price: 38415 USD

Price Estimate: $38,415 - $45,219

Below Average

7.1

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

A buttery smooth engine and nimble handling can't make up for a car that's overpriced and more than a little long in the tooth. We love the way the 2020 GS F drives thanks to its sharp steering and sporty yet comfortable suspension setup. That said, the dated technology, so-so fuel economy, eye-wateringly high base price, and lack of relative performance make it hard to recommend the GS F to anyone but the most diehard Lexus enthusiast.

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Appraise My 2020 Lexus GS F

Pros

Rewarding to drive with outstanding steering
Upscale cabin design
All the right noise from the non-turbocharged V8
Exceptionally comfortable seats

Cons

Infotainment system and its controller are frustrating to use
Competitors with turbocharged engines offer more power
Back seats do not fold down
High price considering its relative lack of performance

What's new

The GS F is essentially unchanged for 2020
Part of the fourth GS generation introduced for 2013

Overview

Written by automotive expert Kurt Niebuhr

2/3/2020

The 2020 Lexus GS F runs counter to what a lot of people expect from the Lexus brand. This is not a bland luxury cruiser. Instead, it's a real driver's sedan thanks to direct steering, excellent composure and a sonorous V8. A case could be made that the GS F is the most fun vehicle the brand offers.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

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It's fair to point out that the GS' overall design is getting on in years. Thanks to their potent turbocharged engines, sedans such as the BMW M550i and Mercedes-Benz AMG E 53 will easily outsprint the GS F. They also have more of the latest technology and superior infotainment systems. But go for this unassuming Lexus and you'll be rewarded with excellent road manners and a surprising combination of performance and comfort.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

by the Edmunds Experts

Below Average

7.1

out of 10

We drove the 2020 Lexus GS F on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Performance

8/10

How does the GS F drive? The GS F is an uncommonly rewarding sport sedan even in routine driving. The steering is sharp and communicative, and the adjustable torque-vectoring differential makes the most of the car's traction. The GS F feels nimble and smaller than it actually is, inspiring driver confidence. The brakes are firm and easy to modulate, but the GS F lacks the outright stopping power found in more modern sport sedans.

Compared to the class leaders, the GS F is relatively slow. In Edmunds testing it posted a 0-60 mph time of 4.7 seconds. Most everything in this class uses turbochargers and all-wheel drive to boost performance; the BMW M5 sprints to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds, for example. Lexus' naturally aspirated V8 is smooth, though, and it sings like a baritone chorus at full throttle.

Comfort

8/10

How comfortable is the GS F? The GS F is fitted with excellent seats that provide good support without making you feel claustrophobic or overly bolstered. Adjustable dampers deliver a firm but compliant ride, making it equal parts sport sedan and long-distance mile-eater. There's a bit of road noise, but it's not tiring. You could spend all day behind the wheel of the GS F without feeling worn out.

The climate control interface is button-centric. It's not super easy to use, but it's better than the ones from some automakers that hide everything within the infotainment system. Overall, the GS F is a comfortable steed in its class.

Interior

7/10

How’s the interior? The interior design is showing its age but has the fundamentals covered well. Visibility is good thanks to a relatively low hood and window line. The seating position is a bit low, but the steering wheel and pedals are well placed and help improve the driving experience. Despite the low seat, getting in and out is relatively easy, though backseat passengers may have to duck their heads to clear the roof.

Lexus uses buttons for many of the controls, though some are oddly placed or hidden from view. They feel like afterthoughts rather than being integrated into the original design. With many competitors moving to virtual controls, some buyers might find this Lexus' analog approach a bit dated.

Technology

5/10

How’s the tech? When it comes to tech, the GS F has been behind the times for years, and its issues have only become more glaring in the face of more modern competition. The control interface for the infotainment system is awkward and fussy and looks dated, and the native voice controls are frankly subpar. The lack of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration is also immensely frustrating, especially when many new cars now have one or both as standard equipment.

A nice suite of driver aids comes standard, though the GS F lacks some of the latest tech, such as a surround-view camera. At this price point, that's hard to understand.

Storage

7/10

How’s the storage? With 14.0 cubic feet of capacity, the amply sized trunk will swallow plenty of gear. For comparison, the BMW 5 Series holds a cavernous 18.7 cubic feet, while a Mercedes-Benz E-Class is considerably smaller, holding only 13.1 cubic feet. Unfortunately, you can't fold down the rear seats to create even more cargo space.

Inside, there's a suitable number of small storage areas, though there's no convenient space to place a phone. For family duty, the GS F has adequate room for a rear-facing child seat. The car-seat anchor points are tucked away and a bit hard to get at because of the firm seatback foam.

Fuel Economy

6.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? The EPA rates the GS F at 19 combined mpg (16/24 city/highway). This is one of the lowest ratings in the class, even compared to other V8-powered cars. We observed 20.9 mpg on our standard 115-mile mixed-driving evaluation route. The GS F's fuel tank is small too, so you'll be stopping for gas more frequently than you would in other high-performance sedans.

Value

6/10

Is the GS F a good value? Common touch points feel terrific and give the impression of the GS F being well put-together. Our test car had an occasional creak from the dash, however. The GS F's four-year/50,000-mile limited warranty is standard for the class, and Lexus gives you a little more than average with its six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty.

The main issue dragging down the score here is price. The GS F is more expensive than competitors, yet it packs fewer features and lacks the raw performance of its rivals. It's less expensive than flagship products from Mercedes-AMG and BMW's M division, but it can't even match the performance or price of midtier products from those automakers.

Wildcard

8.5/10

The GS F's honesty is what sets it apart. It brings a traditional sport-sedan driving character that's refreshingly simple compared to what you get from the latest German sedans. The GS F may not have achingly beautiful curves or heavy-hitting performance, but it has spirit and heart that's rare today.

2020 Lexus GS F trim level differences

The 2020 Lexus GS F is offered in one trim level with only a handful of available options. The GS F uses a 5.0-liter V8 engine (467 horsepower, 389 lb-ft of torque) coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission driving the rear wheels. Compare the 2020 Lexus GS F trim levels in-depth.

Which GS F trim does Edmunds recommend?

For 2020, Lexus keeps things simple by offering no trim levels or major packages for the GS F. Of the limited options, we'd spring for the Mark Levinson premium surround-sound system and maybe the 19-inch BBS wheels for a bit of extra style.

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$263/mo

$181/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

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Reliability

The 2020 Lexus GS F has a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic warranty and no recalls. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Recalls

There are no recalls for the 2020 Lexus GS F

Warranty

4 years / 50,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 6 years / 70,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 6 years / unlimited miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 4 years / unlimited miles
Free maintenance Warranty: 1 years / 10,000 miles

Lexus GS F Reviews

Owner Reviews

5.0

3 reviews

5(100%)

4(0%)

3(0%)

2(0%)

1(0%)

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2020 GS F Features & Specs

MSRP (New) Excludes Destination Fee	$85,010
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	19 MPG
Cost to Drive	$263/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	14.0 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the GS F models:

Pre-Collision System: Warns the driver of a possible impact with other cars or pedestrians. Can automatically apply the brakes if necessary.
Rear-Seat Side Airbags: Protects outboard rear occupants in case of a side-impact collision. They come standard; rivals have them as an option or not at all.
Lane Departure Alert with Lane Keeping Assist: Warns you when drifting out of your lane and intervenes with steering input if needed.

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Not Tested
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Not Tested