Overview & Reviews

A refined and elegant car since its early-1990s inception, the midsize Lexus GS 300 sedan always came up short in the personality department. Partly, this was a problem of perception. Lexus initially promoted the rear-wheel-drive GS as a legitimate competitor to the elite European sport sedans, but the car's soft suspension, over-assisted steering and sluggish powertrain said otherwise. The fact that it cost just as much as its German rivals certainly didn't do it any favors either.

As a luxury sedan, the Lexus GS 300 was more convincing, particularly the third-generation model, which could be loaded with all the latest technology and upscale amenities. Cabin materials were typically of high quality, and everything was put together with exacting precision. Add in an outstanding reliability record and it's no surprise all three generations of the GS 300 proved popular with consumers, despite the fact that the automotive press never fully warmed to it.

Most recent Lexus GS 300

Last redesigned for 2006, the third-generation Lexus GS 300 lasted only one year, as Lexus installed a powerful new 3.5-liter V6 in its rear-drive midsize sedan the following year, prompting a name change to GS 350. With the exception of their engines, the GS 300 and 350 are identical.

Upon its debut, there was nothing radical about the third-gen GS 300. Its bodywork was fresh and modern, but followed the same basic lines as the previous model. It was motivated by a new, all-aluminum 3.0-liter V6 capable of 245 horsepower, matched with a six-speed automatic transmission. In addition to the default rear-drive setup, buyers were given the option of all-wheel drive. With either drivetrain, acceleration was acceptably brisk (with 60 mph coming up in the 7-second range), though the heavier GS 300 AWD model felt soft off the line. Power delivery was undeniably smooth.

Lacking the adaptive suspension of the V8-powered GS 430, the Lexus GS 300 offered little inspiration when pushed around corners. Instead, it excelled as a highway cruiser, carrying itself with grace over most road irregularities while shielding its occupants from most outside noise. This made it easy for the GS 300 driver and passenger to settle back into its plush seats and enjoy the optional Mark Levinson sound system. An intuitive control layout contributed to the GS 300's relaxing nature.

Major standard equipment on the GS 300 included HID headlights, leather upholstery, wood trim, dual-zone automatic climate control, stability control and a complete menu of side, head and knee airbags. Options included DVD navigation, a rear backup camera, adaptive cruise control and the PreSafe accident preparedness system.

In a 2006 comparison test of all-wheel-drive luxury sport sedans, a Lexus GS 300 AWD brought up the rear in a field of five. "With a V8 and the right options, the 2006 Lexus GS is a good sport sedan," our author wrote. "Give it a V6 and a softer suspension with all-season tires and there's less to get excited about. Luxurious and capable, the Lexus didn't have enough personality to stand out in this crowd."

Past Lexus GS 300 Models

Consumers shopping for a used Lexus GS 300 will come across plenty of examples from the second generation, sold from 1998-2005. Like the later version, it was a luxury sedan at heart and really wasn't tuned for aggressive, back-road driving.

It came with a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine throughout its model run. The engine was actually a carryover from the first-generation GS 300, but now aided by variable valve timing, it offered a bit more usable torque. Horsepower came in at 225 or 220, depending on the model year. A five-speed automatic transmission drove the rear wheels. Power delivery was quite smooth, and acceleration was average among six-cylinder midsize luxury sedans.

Cloth upholstery was technically standard on GS 300s of this generation, but you'll be hard-pressed to find one on the used market that doesn't have the optional leather package. Features like 10-way power seats, a power tilt/telescoping steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, stability control and front-seat side airbags were standard throughout the model run; side curtain airbags were included from 2001 onward. An excellent Nakamichi sound system was optional from 1998-2000; an equally good Mark Levinson system replaced it in 2001. Another new option for '01 was a DVD-based navigation system.

The original Lexus GS 300 was introduced for 1993 and sold through 1997. At the time, its sleek styling set it apart from other luxury sedans, both import and domestic. Interior accommodations were luxurious and roomy enough to accommodate occupants of all sizes. Tepid performance and high pricing were the big letdowns on this midsize luxury sedan, though the latter is obviously not an issue for used GS shoppers. All GS 300s of this generation had a 220-hp 3.0-liter inline-6. The best years to look at are 1996 and '97, as these models had a five-speed automatic transmission; earlier models had a four-speed automatic.

User Reviews:

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  Nice ride - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By Joe cernigliaro - December 16 - 8:46 am

  Great touring sedan. The 300 is slightly underpowered compaerd to the 2002 BMW 525i that I traded in, but is a lot more comfortable, with intuitive controls and actually has real cupholders.

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  Luxury sport - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By ED - August 12 - 8:23 am

  I bought this car for my wife, but I drive it often. It was pricey at $50K, but it has just about every option lexus offers. Its very sporty, but dont think youll outrun a mustang or even a tiburon. This is luxury first and foremost. Quality youd expect from Lexus and its a great looking car. Youll get stares at every parking lot. Expect to seat 4 comfortably and in style.

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  Great car, but not perfect - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By Rod - July 16 - 9:43 pm

  Really nice car. Ride is a little too firm for me. Handling is very good. Direct injection engine is very good, but ticks at idle. Interior is tight. Center console is too tall and wide, making interior feel cramped. Misc. control door near drivers left knee is very inconvenient. Highway gas mileage is excellent - 29 to 32 MPG. Avalon is probably a better value.

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  Bought Used and saved on this Lexus - 2005 Lexus GS 300
  By H Janke - June 27 - 12:26 am

  Bought this 05 about two months ago. Saved from the sticker price about $12k. Nice car, ride with standard stock tires is a bit noisy. Suggest a smoother riding factory tire. Interior needs in dash 6 CD, currently in glove box. Needs sunglass holder over head. Very comfortable interior ride over 30 mph. Solid feel and lots of room inside and also in trunk. Gas mileage averages about 18 mpg in town and 22 mpg highway. Nice sound system, leather seats very comfortable, lumbar support very good. Dash instrument panel easy to read. Solid all around vehicle.

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  Good but not "Great!" - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By ws - June 8 - 1:33 am

  This is 4th Lexus Ive owned and has surprised both on the upside and downside. Mileage was a pleasant surprise. Im not a lead foot but do push the car hard. I thought the mpg on the Nav display was bogus when it consistently showed 30+ on road trips...but it was nuts-on when it came time to top the tank. Fit and finish were excellent and Ive had zero unscheduled trips to the dealership in 60K+ miles. That said, interior road noise is far too high for a car of this caliber. The run-flats are a joke - a point echoed by other reviewers. The drop down tray to hide infrequently used buttons is a good idea, but placement is problematic. Ive nailed my knee more than once.

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  What happened - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By ted - April 10 - 12:26 pm

  We replaced our 03 GS300 with an 06. Loved the old one figured wed love the newer one. Wrong. Brakes, cruise ride , AC and Nav dont work as good as old car. Ride and handling choppier also. Tranny hunts for gears at low speed and in the hills. Has been in the shop 5 times in three months. Disappointing car. Great to look at but no fun to drive. Am going to trade for something that I can live with.

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  Looks, excellent; integrity, lacking. - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By JMadden - November 4 - 4:36 pm

  Wow! What a beautiful car; especially in comparison to the older model. However, Lexus really dropped the ball on this one. Granted it could be that I just happened to purchase a lemon but my car is at the dealer usually once or twice, sometimes more, a month for just about everything under the sun--from off track head-lamp washers to faulty oxygen sensors. If you want a car that looks very timeless then this is the car for you. If you want something reliable; Id suggest a Yugo before this car.

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  GS300 MY VIEW - 1998 Lexus GS 300
  By DUCMIX - October 25 - 2:00 am

  I LOVE THE CAR AND IT`S FEATURES BUT THE CAR NEEDS MORE POWER. (TWIN TURBO) HAS THE SMOOTH SHIFTING TRANS BEST IN THE MARKET. THE RIDE IS WONDERFUL BUT ROLLS ON TURNS. MY NEXT CAR WILL BE THE GS ONCE AGIAN .

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  Reliabilty, are you kidding me? - 2003 Lexus GS 300
  By Lexus??? - September 15 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car, instead of the Mercedes I used to drive as a "change of pace". My friends bragged about how great their Lexus were. Boy did they fool me. The cars electronics are bad, bad, bad. The stereo system cuts in and out, the CD players skips and the sunroof leaks. My airbag lite is always on and my dealer cant fix it. I think they are tired of seeing me. The ride stinks, this is not a performance car. The ride in this car is something my grandparents might enjoy. Too mushy, handles badly.

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  Lexus GS 300 is a good car - 2002 Lexus GS 300
  By JJ - August 6 - 1:10 pm

  Bought it new in 02 for $39,500 and i still like it a lot. at 200k miles, it still runs quietly and smoothly. Ill get another one soon. A very few complaints and they are too minor to mention. Im in sales and its perfect for that. Dealer service is too expensive but if you can find an honest independent, go with that.