2019 Lexus GS 350 F Sport Review by David Colman - It's E15 Approved

2019 Lexus GS 350 F-Sport

One of the best large sports sedans on the market today

By David Colman
Special Correspondent to THE AUTO CHANNEL

2019 Lexus GS 350 F-Sport

My first shot at a twisting back road proved without a doubt that if you equip your GS 350 F Sport with the $1,700 optional "Lexus Dynamic Handling with Dynamic Rear Steering," you will be floored by the unexpected agility of this 3,845lb. luxury sedan. As soon as I hustled the big GS through a series of S-bends, I knew some strange handling magic was happening. As usual, I had selected the "Sport+" driving mode, which produced the expected precision dividends in throttle sensitivity and steering feedback. But what came as a complete surprise was the quickness of the car's turn-in dynamics. The instant I positioned the GS for its meeting with an apex, the rear end of this rear-wheel-drive Lexus obediently tucked in and shoved the car through the arc of the corner with remarkable decisiveness

2019 Lexus GS 350 F-Sport

The exaggerated turn-in motion I experienced is largely the product of the rear wheel steering option. As the GS enters a curve, the back wheels turn slightly to enhance the car's responsiveness to steering input. This amplification works especially well in concert with the substantial list of F Sport improvements to the basic GS package. These include 8x19J front rims and 9x19J rear rims shod with very sticky (treadwear rating 140) Bridgestone Potenza RE 050A radials with staggered front/rear size differentiation: 235/40R19 front, 265/35R19 rear. The F Sport niceties include Electronic Power Steering (EPS), sport tuned Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) and Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS). In addition to providing rear wheel steering, the Dynamic Handling Package allows independent control of EPS, AVS and VGRS. All you have to do is chose your driving mode from these selections: Eco, Sport, Sport+ and Customize. The Customize choice allows you to pick and choose your own performance parameters.

Under the hood lies a well-endowed 2GR-FKS V6 displacing 3.5 liters and making 311hp and 280lb.-ft. of torque. Most of the time, this engine goes about its business silently and effectively. But enthusiast drivers will rejoice in its stentorian exhaust note when prodded hard. The melody comes as rather a pleasant surprise. The 8-speed automatic transmission seamlessly swaps cogs in the Drive quadrant, but always stands ready to maximize engine performance should you chose to shift manually via the floor mounted stick or the provided paddles. While this sedan is not blindingly quick, it always musters enough speed to get the pass or merge done with room to spare. Best of all, it returns 22MPG in overall driving, something of a miracle considering its size, and level of amenities.

2019 Lexus GS 350 F-Sport

In keeping with its sporting proclivity, both the exterior and interior of the GS 350 F Sport eschew unnecessary decoration in favor of simplicity. Back to black is the key here with an F Sport blacked out grill replacing the rather too prominent chromed proboscis of the standard GS. In addition to F Sport badging, this GS also receives a subtle lip spoiler atop the trunk, and a nicely integrated model specific rear fascia that incorporates the exhaust outlets in the lower valance. Inside, you'll find the headliner is as black as the grill, while the dash and console facings are covered with a subtle cross hatched charcoal material Lexus calls "Naguri Aluminum Trim." The sport pedals are covered with aluminum and rubber ribbing, and both front seats include heating and ventilation as part of the F Sport Package.

This Lexus makes an extremely competent long distance touring sedan. In a week of almost constant rainfall, the GS 350 never put a wheel wrong. It afforded excellent traction, even in considerable standing water, and also provided excellent sight lines in all directions. Unless you really boot the loud pedal, this implacable cruiser is as silent as a church and as stable as a top. The only issues that arose in wet weather had to do with the overly complicated operation of the wipers and the lack of a rear window wiper. The wiper stalk proved to be overly difficult to control because it is designed to return to the same central position. That means you never know what position you have chosen. I found myself constantly fiddling with the control stalk, despite the fact that the F Sport Package includes "Rain-Sensing Wipers." As for that rear window, it definitely needs a blade because the provided heating element takes too long to defrost.

There's a rumor that this may be the last year for the aging GS model range, which has been unaltered for several years now. If you seek a sporting variant of this luxury sedan, now's the time to check out the F Sport model, which has surprisingly become one of the best large sports sedans on the market today.

2019 LEXUS GS 350 F SPORT

HYPES: Instant Handling, Sweet Motor, Refined Interior

GRIPES: Frustrating Wiper Control

STAR RATING: 9 Stars out of 10

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