What is it?

Now nearing the end of its third generation, the GS slots in above the sporty IS and below the luxury-laden LS. It’s sized about like the tremendously popular ES 350, but the GS offers rear-wheel-drive and a much higher price tag – not to mention the optional V8 seen in our tester.

Its basic style is derivative of the original Giugiaro-penned 1991 GS300 (a rebadged Toyota Aristo), but the latest car was introduced for 2006. Smoother and suaver than the second-generation GS – notable for its Shakespearean “Something wicked this way comes” ad campaign – the S190-platform car retains the two-engine configuration of its predecessor.

As enthusiasts, we jumped at the range-topping GS 460 with its 342-horsepower 4.6-liter V8. A hybrid – dubbed GS 450h – was briefly on offer before sluggish sales forced its removal from the North American market.

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    Using the CD player
    - Type A - Type B - Type C Loading a CD Loading a CD 1. Press . “WAIT” is shown on the display. 2. When the indicator on the slot turns from amber to green, insert a CD. The display cha ...

    How does it look?
    Lexus says the ES 350 features extensive use of its “L-Finesse” design language. That sounds like marketing jargon to us, but it seems to work. The ES is a bit chunky from some angles, particularl ...

    Vehicle Details
    Interior Refinements to the interior of the 2011 ES 350 include 10-way power seats up front. Although the ES 350 may not be the first thought when purchasing a family vehicle, the 60/40 split-fo ...