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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    Performance
    Every good mark the RX line up earns in other areas is discredited by the hybrid's performance attributes. To get such excellent mileage, the V-6 engine is teamed with an electric motor and a larg ...

    Pricing Notes
    The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices (MSRP) on these mid-size sport sedans reflect their impressive content and capabilities while keeping them competitive and in line with offerings from th ...

    Optimal use of the audio system
    - Type A and B 1. Displays the current mode. 2. Changes the following settings: • Sound quality and volume balance. The sound quality and balance setting can be changed to produce the best so ...