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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    Under the Hood
    For 2006, the 4.7-liter V-8 produces 263 hp and 323 pounds-feet of torque. Those numbers are down slightly from the 2005 model's 270 hp and 330 pounds-feet of torque due to new SAE testing procedu ...

    Using the phone book
    To enter the menu for each function, follow the steps below using a voice command or : - Adding a new phone number 1. “Phonebook” → 2. “Add Entry”. - Changing the registered name in the phon ...

    Power outlet
    The power outlet can be used for 12 V accessories that run on less than 10 A. The power outlet can be used when The “ENGINE START STOP” switch is in ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode. NOTICE: To av ...