Lexus GS vs Lexus LS
What's the difference?

Lexus GS

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2018 price

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Lexus LS

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2023 price

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Summary

2018 Lexus GS

2023 Lexus LS

By Peter Anderson

By Tom White

Safety Rating

Engine Type

V6, 3.5L

Twin Turbo V6, 3.4L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

9.3L/100km (combined)

10.0L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Super-smooth V6
Lots of interesting tech
Lovely (if old-fashioned) interior

Business class interior
Japanese feel and quality
Thumping turbo V6

Dislikes

Thirst
Media system
No Apple CarPlay/Android Auto

Feels a bit old-fashioned to drive
The hybrid would be nicer to be driven in
Dated multimedia software

2018 Lexus GS Summary

Ah, yes, the Lexus GS. Toyota's luxury off-shoot had high hopes for the new big boy when I first saw it a few years ago. Not thousands-of-sales high hopes, but the company thought a rear-wheel drive luxury sedan stacked with gear you didn't even know you wanted would be a dead-set winner.

And to be fair, they were right. I ran a GS as a long-termer and it was impeccably-mannered. In hybrid form. It wasn't sparkling, but my goodness, it used barely any fuel; especially impressive given its size.

As the sun is surely setting on the GS, it's time to have a look and see if it's a match for the BMW 5 Series or the Mercedes E.

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2023 Lexus LS Summary

Surprisingly, for people who would rather be driven than drive themselves, there are quite a few options available in the large luxury sedan market.

While on the whole sedans have fallen from favour, this niche corner of the market continues to let the three-box design thrive.

The options here have changed a bit in the last few years, though, so how does the Lexus flagship, the LS fit into the picture? I drove one around for a week to find out.

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Deep dive comparison

2018 Lexus GS 2023 Lexus LS

Verdict

Weirdly, given all the good things I've had to say about the GS F Sport, it doesn't quite hang together. It's missing that certain something the Europeans have in their chassis, particularly the BMW 5 Series, and with ageing interior tech, it's struggling to keep up.

It's a car built for specific tastes, and they're more California than Straya. And that's perfectly okay, but unfortunately, that doesn't translate to a stampede of buyers. Having said that, none of its German rivals (or its beleaguered Japanese counterpart, Infiniti) could claim wild sales success either.

The GS is a terrific car, underrated but also just not quite there for my taste. The GS F, though, that's another thing altogether.

Verdict

The LS500 is the least logical version of the most logical option in the ultimate luxury sedan segment in which logic doesn’t often apply at all.

Take from that what you will, but if it was me being driven around I would definitely be opting for the hybrid version of the LS instead for its smooth electrified driving characteristics and lower operating costs.

Lexus GS vs Lexus LS What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Lexus GS vs Lexus LS
What's the difference?