BEHIND THE WHEEL: With the Lexus GS F you know it’s luxury with a sporty edge

When I say luxury, I mean it when spoken in the same sentence as the 2018 Lexus GS F.  With the competition or this luxury high-performance sedan you will find the Cadillac CTS-V Sedan, Audi S7 Sedan and Mercedes Benz E-class Sedan coming in with some of the same wow factor features, but the Lexus is going to turn heads no matter the rivalry.  

With the Lexus brand you already know the F feature is about fast, but also an excellent and well-tuned driving experience.  You won’t be disappointed with the GS in this category since you get a comfortable ride, a complete handling experience and a sporty vibe that will remind you when to gas it and when to just drive by and smile. 

Trim level options 

The 2018 Lexus GS F is the GS sedan with an attitude and there is only one trim level on this one.  You get auto-dimming mirrors, xenon headlights, automatic high beams, LED running lights, automatic wipers, keyless ignition and entry, leather upholstery and a power-adjustable steering wheel.  For the tech user there is a the Remote Touch infotainment that works with the 12.3-inch screen, a navigation system, USB port, 12 speakers, CD player and the Lexus Enform system.  You can also opt for add-ons like different wheels or orange brake calipers.

Under the hood

The 2018 Lexus GS F offers a 5.0-liter V8 engine with 467 horsepower and 389 pound-feet of torque. It is a rear-wheel, eight-speed automatic transmission and the F version has a torque-vectoring rear differential as well as a more sport-tuned suspension and steering.

Safety first 

On the 2018 Lexus GS F you get adaptive cruise control that new this year works at all speeds, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, which means the car will assist you with the steering when needed if you leave your lane.   For airbags there are dual stage driver and passenger seat-mounted side airbags, curtain first and second row, driver and passenger knee and rear side-impact airbags.

Interior and exterior highlight

Inside the cabin of the 2018 Lexus GS F you will find everything just right and the driving experience thanks to the cabin placement of the buttons and controls is an easy fit for any driver.  There are a few misplaced buttons, but after you know where everything is located it’s a no-brainer.  

There is plenty of head room here and that even includes the sunroof.  Even in the back seat it is easy to remember this is a luxury vehicle since even for a six-foot taller driver or passenger you won’t feel cramped.

The materials used in the cabin are also above grade and the leather and faux suede fit the vibe here just right and even when it is just the vinyl covered pieces in the cabin, you still feel the luxury thanks to the design and overall ride and drive experience.  

You will find the trunk large too, keep in mind there is no putting the back seat down though for extra storage space, but you will find a ski pass-through. Even so, there is still plenty of room all around to store your smaller objects.  The door packets are large and the sliding-lid center console has a removable tray.  Even the backseat passengers have an element of luxury with the fold-down console and two cupholders.

Along for the ride 

The 2018 Lexus GS F is a sport sedan with a luxurious air about it.  The steering is impressive and you know you got the road and the car has got you, handling, taking corners, getting on the highway – overall this Lexus instills confidence and that’s always a good day when you can feel you own the road either in a routine driving situation or for longer road trips that will inspire you to love your set of wheels even more and do have with the Sport and Sport+ modes.

Should you need to know

The Enform Safety Connect and Enform Service Connect telematics systems is a real standout on the 2018 Lexus GS F and you get it complimentary for the first 10 years.

Miles

The 2018 Lexus GS F four-door sedan I drove had 16 miles per gallon in the city and 24 miles per gallon on the highway.

Cost

The price tag on the 2018 Lexus GS F four-door sedan I drove was $89.120.

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