2009 Lexus GS Reviews and Buying Tips
Lexus GS Reviews@ NewCarTestDrive-update 24 May’09
The Lexus GS is rewarding to drive with the calm, intuitive personality we associate with the Lexus brand. All versions of the GS have capability to get you to your destination as quickly as you dare.
Introduction of 2009 Lexus GS
The 2009 GS is a 4-door, 5-passenger luxury sedan, available in 3 trims, ranging from the 350 RWD to the 460 RWD.
2009 Lexus GS 350 RWD
Upon introduction, the 350 RWD is equipped with a standard 3.5-liter, V6, 303-horsepower engine that achieves 19-mpg in the city and 27-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard. The 460 RWD is equipped with a standard 4.6-liter, V8, 342-horsepower engine that achieves 17-mpg in the city and 24-mpg on the highway. A 8-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard.
Lexus Gs 350 rwd dashboard
The 2009 GS is a carryover from 2008.
Index of 2009 Lexus GS Reviews
- TheCarConnection—
The 2009 Lexus GS sport sedans wrap edgy performance and top technology into a car that’s very enjoyable to drive but a bit cramped compared to its rivals.STYLING:The handsome, well-trimmed 2009 Lexus GS is well liked by most reviewers;PERFORMANCE:The 2009 Lexus GS sedans offer hard-charging power and supple handling with great stability in corners;COMFORT AND QUALITY:Overlooking the inferior backseat and storage space, the 2009 Lexus GS sedans offer good build quality and a peaceful, quiet interior;SAFETY:The 2009 Lexus GS sedan features an extensive list of safety features and earns favorable IIHS ratings;FEATURES:The touch-screen system on the 2009 Lexus GS is a little overwhelming, but the list of other standard features is impressive.
- NewCarTestDrive—We like the GS 350 for its balanced handling, its performance. The GS 450h offers a combination of power and fuel economy unique among midsize luxury/sport sedans. The GS 460 delivers strong performance from its V8. Passenger room in the GS models is good but not generous and cargo room is limited.
Buying Tips
If you’ve been holding out for the high-performance GS-F version, you’ll need to give up, as the project itself has been put on hold. However, in that more exclusive, performance-honed category, there’s the smaller IS-F, and in the GS’s size, there’s the Cadillac STS-V, Mercedes E63 AMG, and BMW M5.
About Lexus
Under the Lexus brand, Toyota Canada introduced its first premium car ever in 1990, the LS 400. Today, 28 dealerships are selling Lexus vehicles, starting with three fuel-efficient hybrids(GSh, RXh, LSh) and three SUVs (RX, LX and GX). Then there are five cars, from the entry-level IS (4 trims including the new high-performance IS F) to the ES, GS, SC and the ultra-luxurious LS.
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
Loading ...Enjoyed this post?
Consider subscribing to our full feed RSS. You can also subscribe by email and have new posts sent directly to your inbox.
most cars in japan are sticks/they dont have the same systems/the electrics that are responsible is made in nippon/{japan}/got to ...
Hi,
Just bought a 2000 Grand Am SE. DRL work on right side. High and Low beam inop ...
Comment by
Rich on 25 May 2009:
The GS350 is another great vehicle from Lexus. It combines the classic ride Lexus is known for, along with great styling. This is a vehicle I can count on lasting many years to come. (Unlike a BMW)
[Reply]
Comment by
elenad on 25 May 2009:
I was never a fan until I started driving the Lexus GS 350 AWD. I really think that I may stick with Lexus after my lease is up. I really enjoy driving it and feel very safe at sharp turns.
[Reply]
Comment by
Peter jr on 25 May 2009:
This 460 RWD is a car to buy. Fun and Comfort. Best of both worlds. You won’t be dissapointed. Once you buy a lexus you just can’t stop!
[Reply]
Comment by
Sky on 25 May 2009:
I was actually in the market for a $35 to $45K car and was looking at the G37, TL, and GS350, and M35. With the economy being the way it is, I got a sweet deal on a new 2008 GS 460 – paid what a GS 350 or Acura RL would cost. I drove the 5 series, M35, M45, TL, RL, G37, and GS and decided on the GS. My reasons for the GS were as follows:
1) Adaptive suspension that lets you choose between luxury and sport. One of the very few cars that allows you to do that. Having owned everything from BMW’s to Mustangs, one thing that gets annoying after a while is the hard ride you get with a sports suspension and 18 inch wheels – this car allows you to switch to a luxury suspension setting with a switch of a button or switch back to sport. If you don’t switch manually, the car automatically switches it for you when you drive agressively between 4 different suspension settings. This is very cool – so when you are driving at 30 mph stuck in traffic, you can soften the ride as you like.
2) Great feature set and Impeccable build quality – None of the cars I drove integrated the technology as well as the Lexus. Everything is easy to use and intuitive – I have not read the 5 or 6 manuals that came with the car yet -great bluetooth, navigation, excellent Mark Levinson audio, and fully loaded features of the car – all work flawlessly just like you want. The M45 came close but felt like a boat at times and was not as refined, quite a bit louder as well. The BMW was definitely more sporty but was almost $20K more with the Lexus options an was still a PITA to use without constantly referring to the manuals. Also, having owned a BMW, I am not a fan of their electronics – it usually goes bad after so many years.
3) Great resale value versus other brands.
4) Upgradable – I am a performance guy and this car has the LS 460’s’s 380 HP engine as well as the 8 SPD auto which gives it great gas mileage – 24 MPG HWY and and 21 in mixed driving. If I ever get ired of 342HP, it would not take a lot of modifications to get this to 400HP and the car has the transmission to handle it.
Two things are annoying for a $60K car – the cupholders are worthless – so if you plan to do a lot of drinking when driving you may want to reconsider. You are okay with a 12-16 ounce water bottle or coffee, forget the Big Gulp. The other annoyance is the tire options. My GS came with the all season run flats (upgrade over the summer tires that are standard) that are Z rated and on 18inch wheels. Run flats are noisy and have hard sidewalls which makes the ride noisy. I wish they had offered Michelins or Dunlop’s instead.
[Reply]