2019 Lexus GS Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

For more than two decades, the Lexus GS has remained one of the finest midsize luxury sedans on the market. You’ll appreciate its comfortable, spacious interior. For drivers who desire a heavy dose of performance, Lexus offers the high-output GS model. A reputation for being extremely reliable adds to the sedan's appeal. Let’s see why the 2019 Lexus GS deserves some serious consideration.

What’s New for 2019?

For the most part, the 2019 Lexus GS is a carryover from last year. However, Lexus Enform Remote is now available. This feature enables you to remotely perform functions via your smartphone.

 

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2019 Lexus GS – The Pros

1. More Reliable than the Typical Luxury Car

Luxury cars can be quite expensive to maintain. Fortunately, that’s not the case with the 2019 Lexus GS. It’s also far more reliable than most of its German competitors. When properly serviced, the GS has been proven to surpass 300,000 miles with no major issues. This is good news for the drivers who don’t want to sacrifice any practicality. Great resale value makes the GS an even more rewarding choice.

2. Solid, Low-Maintenance Engines

Many buyers will enjoy the turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which develops a satisfying 241 horsepower. You’ll have no trouble getting up to highway speeds. Fuel economy stands at a solid 22 mpg in town and 32 mpg on the highway. To experience more performance, step up to the GS 350 model. Its muscular V6 engine generates a more entertaining 311 horsepower. Although fuel economy takes a dip, most folks won’t complain about getting 28 mpg on the highway. Both engines are paired to an excellent eight-speed automatic transmission.

3. F Sport Package Enhances Handling

The standard 2019 Lexus GS impresses with its smooth ride. If you desire more responsive handling, opt for the F Sport package. It equips the sedan with some valuable performance upgrades. A sports-tuned adaptive suspension gives the GS a more stable feel around corners. You’ll also appreciate the extra grip provided by the 19-inch performance tires. Meanwhile, larger front brakes enhance the sedan’s stopping power. Remember, along with the package comes a more aggressive body kit.

4. High-Performance GS F Model

All versions of the new GS have the ability to deliver a fun driving experience. Nevertheless, the high-performance GS F model will provide the maximum thrills. Under the hood sits a high-revving V8 engine, which pushes out 467 horsepower. A 0-60 time of 4.5 seconds proves the GS F can accelerate quickly. You’ll also enjoy the sedan’s racy exhaust note. Road handling is equally as impressive. A torque-vectoring rear differential and sport steering come standard.

5. Provides a Great Deal of Comfort

In terms of passenger comfort, the 2019 Lexus GS ranks among the class leaders. Everyone will appreciate this sedan’s plush seats, which provide great thigh and back support. Available heated and ventilated seats ensure an even more relaxing ride. There’s a satisfying amount of space inside the new GS. Most people sitting in the backseat will have plenty of legroom. Wide doors also help passengers to easily get in and out of the GS.

6. Pleasing Amount of Standard Equipment

A starting price of $46,610 makes the base GS 300 a heck of a bargain. It comes standard with plenty of high-end features. The 12-speaker surround-sound system will fulfill music fans. Lexus’ NuLuxe seating material has a very high-quality appearance. Of course, every driver will benefit from the standard safety technologies. While a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection keeps you prepared for unexpected danger, blind-spot monitoring tells you if it’s safe to switch lanes.

7. All-Wheel Drive

The 2019 Lexus GS comes standard with rear-wheel drive. When the road conditions start to become slippery, RWD sedans typically don’t perform as well. Luckily, Lexus allows you to opt for an AWD system. By constantly monitoring the driving conditions, it is able to provide a greater sense of control. When driving in the snow, you’ll definitely be thankful for elevated traction. However, all-wheel drive is not available on the more efficient GS 300 model or the high-powered GS F model.

8. Color Head-Up Display Enhances Safety

When driving, your attention needs to remain on the road ahead. Even a momentarily loss of focus increases your likelihood of being involved in a crash. Although the GS’ color head-up display is a pricey upgrade, it’s a feature you’ll benefit from on an everyday basis. The display projects vital information about your speed and audio onto the lower windshield. You will no longer need to constantly look down at the gauge cluster.

9. F Sport Interior Looks Exciting

The available F Sport package does more than just enhance handling and add a more aggressive look, it also decks out the sedan’s interior. Along with the F Sport package comes aluminum pedals and bolstered sport seats. You’ll also notice the high-performance digital gauges, which make the entire cockpit look more exciting.

10. Lexus Enform App Suite

While Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not available on the 2019 Lexus GS, you can link your smartphone via the Lexus Enform App Suite. After downloading an app, this feature allows you to quickly stream music and check the latest sports scores. The Lexus Enform App Suite can also be easily controlled through voice recognition. This means you can avoid the hassle of manually selecting apps while driving.

 

Reasons Not to Buy a 2019 Lexus GS – The Cons

1. Expensive GS F Model

There’s no overlooking the excitement of the powerful GS F model. It is a genuine sports sedan that promises to get your adrenaline flowing. Unfortunately, the fun comes at a price. This model has a steep MSRP of $84,450. If the GS F model is beyond your budget, consider getting a model equipped with the F Sport package. Although you’ll sacrifice some power, handling will be greatly improved.

2. Infotainment System is a Struggle

Many Lexus owners consider the Remote Touch infotainment system to be a big source of frustration. While the 12.3-inch display screen impresses with its high-resolution graphics, a lot of drivers will have trouble using the interface’s awkward controller knob. It’s more of a driving distraction. Furthermore, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone support are still not offered on the GS. Rival infotainment systems from Mercedes-Benz and BMW are far more rewarding to use.

3. Hybrid Model Has Been Discontinued

Last year, Lexus offered a hybrid version of the GS. Unfortunately for drivers seeking a more eco-friendly sedan, it has been removed from the lineup. Fuel economy estimates stood at a frugal 29 mpg in town and 34 mpg on the highway. An impressive output of 338 horsepower also enabled the GS hybrid to offer strong acceleration. While the turbocharged four-cylinder engine is a solid choice, it lacks the power and efficiency of the GS hybrid.

4. Rear Seats Don't Fold Down

The 2019 Lexus GS has an outstanding cargo capacity of more than 18 cubic feet. Unfortunately, its rear seats do not fold down. This could pose a problem for the drivers who need to haul a longer item. Furthermore, there’s only 14 cubic feet of cargo space in the high-performance GS F’s trunk.

How It Stacks Up Against the Competition

The 2019 Infiniti Q50 rivals the 2019 Lexus GS. While the Q50 can match the performance of the GS, it fails to provide as much passenger room. You’ll also benefit from the Lexus GS’ higher reliability rating.

The 2019 Mercedes-Benz E-Class may also catch your attention. However, it has a much steeper MSRP. If you’re seeking the best bang for the buck, go for the 2019 Lexus GS.

From a standpoint of comfort, the 2019 Audi A6 fares well against the new Lexus GS. However, lower predicted reliability scores put the Audi A6 at a disadvantage. You also can’t ignore the A6’s higher price tag.

Conclusion

The 2019 Lexus GS is a highly recommended midsize luxury sedan. It delivers an upscale driving experience without compromising reliability. While a turbocharged four-cylinder engine enables the GS 300 to save fuel, expect the V6-equipped GS 350 to have a stronger punch. On the other hand, drivers seeking pure performance won’t be disappointed with the exciting GS F model.

Although the 2019 Lexus GS may have a frustrating infotainment system, most drivers will eventually become comfortable with using it over time. Spacious seating gives you another reason to choose the new GS.