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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    Vehicle Details
    Interior Supple leather, brushed aluminum and beautiful polished woods decorate the 2011 Lexus GS's well-organized and luxuriously comfortable cabin. In a realm where typical Lexus levels of fit ...

    Operating an iPod® player
    Connecting an iPod® player enables you to enjoy music from the vehicle speakers.   Connecting an iPod® player     Slide the armrest while pulling up the lever, and lift t ...

    Vehicle load limits
    Vehicle load limits include total load capacity, seating capacity, towing capacity and cargo capacity. Total load capacity: 900 lb. (410 kg) Total load capacity means the combined weight of occupan ...