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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  Smooth and Classy - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By cypress - July 26 - 8:56 pm

  From the moment I left the dealer I have been thrilled with my Lexus GS 300. It has classic yet new lines, and drives very smoothly. The look to me, the color and everything about it exude class. I am once again thrilled to own a new Lexus.

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  Lexus GS-300 - 2003 Lexus GS 300
  By midmac - July 22 - 10:00 am

  Bought the Lexus after looking at Infiniti G35 and Mercedes. It is a great car. We travel from Texas to the West and East coasts annualy. The car cruises all day effortlessly at 70 plus. The build quality is superb and the dealer service experience is excellent.

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  Smoooth operator - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By lowrider4 - July 20 - 9:06 pm

  Smoooth best describes the GS 300 AWD. Have owned a number of mid-sized sedans including BMW 5 series, and Audi A6 2.7t, the Lexus is considerably quieter with a smoother ride, but gives up a bit of ultimate handling if you like to shave a 10th of a second off your time turning into the local shopping center. On the highway, its hard to beat with a natural (and potentially ticket collecting) cruising speed of 75 to 80 mph while returning 26 mpg. Overall, if you are not driving at 10/10ths all the time, its a great compromise between ride and handling, not to mention Lexus reliability and build quality.

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  Best Value - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By Yawnoc - July 16 - 3:06 am

  The Lexus GS AWD is fun to drive and more youthful than the E Class and Acura RL. The GS has the best exterior styling. It is very quiet and has a very smooth ride. When it is time to go the GS moves quickly, like a trained stallion. The interior is rich, but not overstated. The controls are place perfectly. People just stare at the car. The GS has exceeded my expectation in value, ride/drive, and design. It is the perfect car for an excutive that runs a conservative and innovative business. The car adds to a persons brand.

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  Best Value - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By Yawnoc - July 15 - 7:36 pm

  The Lexus GS AWD is fun to drive and more youthful than the E Class and Acura RL. The GS has the best exterior styling. It is very quiet and has a very smooth ride. When it is time to go the GS moves quickly, like a trained stallion. The interior is rich, but not overstated. The controls are place perfectly. People just stare at the car. The GS has exceeded my expectation in value, ride/drive, and design. It is the perfect car for an excutive that runs a conservative and innovative business. The car adds to a persons brand.

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  One Great Car - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By McKeen - July 8 - 6:33 pm

  Didnt like the interior/dash of the M35 or 530. Liked the handling, exterior and interior appearance of the A6, but from the first drive of the GS300 my wife and I loved the performance, ride and quietness. We had a 2004 S80 T6 before, great acceleration and low end torque but too on/off. GS300 is a very comfortable car to drive, smooth seamless shifting and braking. Had a slight tracking problem but dealership and Lexus rep. jumped on the problem quickly and resolved it with minimal inconvenience to me. Fuel economy is unbelievable for a 245hp vehicle. Highway gives 38 mpg (Imperial)@75mph, mixed driving is 30 mpg (Imperial).

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  GS 300 AWD is Ultimate - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By LexusOwner - July 5 - 9:16 pm

  Over the past 2 months, I looked at all of the competition and boy am I glad I decided on the Lexus GS 300 AWD. This car is excellent with a luxurious ride and sporty feel. Mine is loaded with every option Navigation (easy to use after a couple of times), ML Sound System, Sirius, adaptive headlights (these work great on dark curvy roads!), backup camera, heated/ventilated seats. The value in this car is incredibleconsidering all these features i any of the other cars would be $10-15K more and those cars would not be as reliable (Lexus is the best here!). This car is impressive, roomy, and really fun to drive.

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  Another Home Run - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By steve ziegler - June 22 - 2:06 pm

  Great handling, comfort, acceleration, appearance and quality. Improved gas mileage. This my 3rd GS and just gets better and better.

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  Wifes Baby - 2004 Lexus GS 300
  By Scotspal - May 16 - 2:00 am

  My wife loves it - I am more of a critical reviewer. It is an extremely nice car. However, I am surprised by several negatives. There is no engine compartment light under the hood - Ive never seen that on a car. There are visible "Staples" on the carpet where it runs up under the dashboard and on the trunk bed liner - Strange for a luxury car. The mileage compares very favorably with my other vehicles, the only drawback is it requires premium fuel. That said, I think it is superior in many ways to offerings from Mercedes and BMW. In fact we first tested an Infinity G35. After testing the Lexus there was no comparison.

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  GREAT CAR - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By ANGEL - May 15 - 12:20 am

  I had this car a little over a year, its a great car quality, driving & performance