Lexus’ GS range has promised everything from Italian design to a tantalizing demeanor, but it has never been a major player. To figure out why, we borrowed a shiny new 2011 Lexus GS 460 sedan from one of the automaker’s regional distributors, Gulf States Toyota.
Smoother and saver than the second-generation Lexus 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 Lexus GS 460 with its 342-horsepower 4.6-liter V8. A hybrid – dubbed Lexus GS 450h – was briefly on offer before sluggish sales forced its removal from the North American market.
Equipped with a V8 engine, the GS’ biggest traditional rivals come from Germany – namely the BMW 550i and Mercedes-Benz E550. As the oldest offering in its segment, the Lexus GS 460 doesn’t exactly brim with unexpected touches. An advanced eight-speed automatic also comes standard on the Lexus GS 460, a byproduct of sharing its power train with the mega-buck LS 460.
The current Lexus GS continues the theme introduced more than a decade ago with Lexus’ subtle-but-shapely original GS 300. We wish all Lexus sedans were this stylistically balanced.
The 2011 Lexus GS 460 carries over mostly unchanged from the previous year, adding only a brake override system.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The 2011 Lexus GS 460 is a midsize luxury sport sedan that is offered in a single, well-appointed trim level that includes 18-inch alloy wheels, adaptive variable suspension, adaptive automatic xenon headlights, fog lights, a sunroof, power trunk closer, automatic wipers, auto-dimming mirrors, keyless ignition/entry, leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, a power tilt-and-telescoping wood-trimmed steering wheel, heated and cooled front seats, 10-way power front seats with driver memory and lumbar adjustment, Safety Connect emergency telemetric, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity and a 10-speaker stereo with six-CD changer, satellite radio and USB/iPod interface.
Other options include a rear spoiler, rear parking sensors, a power rear sunshade, a power active stabilizer (enhances control during cornering and limits body roll), adaptive cruise control (includes a pre-collision system) and run-flat tires (all-season or summer).
Power trains and Performance
The 2011 Lexus GS 460 is powered by a 4.6-liter V8 that produces 342 hp and 339 pound-feet of torque. Lexus estimates the GS 460 will accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds, which is only 0.4-second quicker than the V6-powered GS 350.
Safety
Standard safety features on the 2011 Lexus GS 460 include antilock brakes with brake assist, traction control, stability control, front and rear side-impact airbags, front knee airbags, side curtain airbags and active front head restraints. Upholding Lexus' reputation for finely crafted interiors, the 2011 GS 460's cabin surrounds occupants with supple leather, rich wood and aluminum trim. The 2011 Lexus GS 460 delivers an abundance of power to please the majority of drivers, along with a comfortably smooth ride and respectable handling.
The 2011 Lexus GS 460 looks, rides, and even drives like its GS 350 sibling, only the key difference is that it's powered by a 342-horsepower, 4.6-liter V-8 engine and eight-speed automatic transmission.
There's not much of a difference in feature sets between the GS 460 and GS 350 either, with Bluetooth, power heated and ventilated front seats, and a seven-inch touch screen all included. For more information on the GS 460, see our full review of the 2011 Lexus GS 350.
