Did Lexus ES replace GS?

No. The Lexus ES did not replace the GS. The GS was discontinued after the 2020 model year and Lexus has not introduced a direct ES-based successor. This article traces the GS's history, explains why there isn't a one-to-one ES replacement, and describes how Lexus has restructured its sedan lineup.

Background: The Lexus GS lineage

The Lexus GS has long served as Lexus's mid-size, rear-wheel-drive-oriented luxury sedan, distinct from the front-wheel-drive ES. Introduced in the early 1990s, the GS evolved through multiple generations, offering a refined ride, a sportier character, and, in high-performance form, a GS F. By the end of its run, the GS platform and design were increasingly at odds with Lexus’s broader strategy, which leaned toward SUVs and electrification. The final GS was available in standard and sport-focused variants before production ceased in 2020.

Key differences between GS and ES

These points highlight how the two nameplates diverged and why the ES did not serve as a direct replacement for the GS.

• The GS was a rear-wheel-drive-based, sport-luxury sedan with V6 power (and a high-performance GS F variant).


• The ES is a front-wheel-drive (with available all-wheel drive in some markets) luxury sedan prioritizing comfort, ride quality, and efficiency.


• Pricing and positioning targeted different buyer needs: the GS leaned toward a sportier, driver-focused experience; the ES emphasized a smooth, refined daily driver persona.

In practice, Lexus did not designate the ES as a one-for-one successor to the GS; instead, it kept the ES as the brand’s mainstream mid-size sedan and redirected emphasis toward SUVs and electrified offerings.

Why there was no direct ES replacement

Several factors influenced Lexus's decision not to replace the GS with an ES-based successor. The brand cited an aging engineering platform, shifting market demand toward SUVs, and a broader strategy that prioritizes electrification and shared platforms across the lineup. As a result, the GS’s niche did not have a direct ES-based successor, and the ES expanded within the sedan lineup rather than taking over the GS’s role.

Official statements and market strategy

Lexus and its parent company have framed the GS discontinuation as a strategic shift rather than a simple model rollover. The automaker has emphasized that the ES and other sedans will continue to serve different customer segments while future performance credibility is directed toward dedicated sport-luxury models and electrified SUVs.

Current sedan lineup and where the ES fits

Today, Lexus's sedan lineup includes IS (compact), ES (mid-size), and LS (full-size), alongside a broader family of SUVs and coupes. The ES remains the mainstream option in the mid-size segment, while the brand’s performance-focused appeal has moved to other models and trims rather than a direct GS replacement.

Performance and platform philosophy

Where the GS offered rear-drive dynamics and, in some markets, a high-performance variant, the ES focuses on comfort and efficiency with a front-drive architecture and available all-wheel drive. There is no direct, one-to-one substitute for the GS's driving character within the current Lexus lineup.

Summary

In short, the Lexus ES did not replace the GS. The GS was discontinued after the 2020 model year, and Lexus did not introduce a direct ES-based successor. Instead, Lexus reorganized its sedan lineup around the ES, IS, and LS, while prioritizing SUVs and electrified models for global markets. The result is a strategic shift rather than a direct replacement, with each remaining sedan serving different customer needs within a evolving lineup.

Conclusion

For buyers seeking a sportier, rear-wheel-drive experience, the GS family is no longer available, and the ES should be viewed as a separate product that emphasizes comfort and efficiency rather than a direct sport-luxury substitute. The Lexus lineup continues to evolve with electrification and SUV expansion, rather than reviving the GS concept under the ES name.

Summary of current positioning

Current Lexus sedans focus on IS (compact), ES (mid-size), and LS (full-size), with performance ambitions primarily expressed through other models and trims. The GS’s departure reflects a broader industry shift toward SUVs and electrified powertrains, rather than a direct replacement by the ES.

Did the Lexus ES replace the GS?

In 2018, Lexus discontinued the GS for European markets and replaced it with the front-wheel drive ES already sold in North America and.

Why did Lexus get rid of the GS?

Lexus discontinued the GS sedan due to low sales, which were a result of several factors, including a market shift towards SUVs and crossovers. Declining sales were also driven by increasing competition from rivals and strong internal competition from the more popular and less expensive Lexus ES. Lexus opted to focus its resources on higher-volume models instead of continuing to produce the GS, which had become an economically unviable model.
 

• Weak sales: The most significant reason was the GS's consistently weak sales figures, particularly compared to other models like the ES and RX crossovers. By 2019, Lexus sold just over 3,300 GS units compared to more than 50,000 ES models. 
• Market shift to SUVs: The auto industry, including the luxury segment, has seen a major consumer preference shift towards SUVs and crossovers, leading to a decline in demand for sedans like the GS. 
• Internal competition: The Lexus ES was a major competitor, as it offered a more affordable and comfortable alternative that appealed to many buyers who would otherwise consider the GS. Some buyers also found the two models looked too similar, making the ES the more logical choice. 
• External competition: The GS struggled to compete with rivals like the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, which were perceived as offering a more prestigious brand and sometimes better technology and performance on paper, even if more expensive. 
• Economic and resource allocation: With sales in such a slump, it was no longer economically sensible for Lexus to continue producing the GS. The company chose to allocate its resources to developing and promoting its more popular and profitable models, especially its successful lineup of SUVs and crossovers. 

What car replaced the Lexus GS?

The Lexus ES is the primary successor to the Lexus GS sedan, taking over its position as the midsize luxury sedan in the lineup. Due to declining sales and the industry-wide shift to SUVs, Lexus discontinued the GS in 2020 and refocused on the more popular ES, which is now positioned to fill a similar, albeit slightly different, market segment. The Lexus IS serves as the smaller, more performance-oriented sedan, while the flagship LS is the brand's top luxury sedan.
 

• Lexus ES: The ES is the most direct replacement for the GS in terms of market position, though it is a front-wheel-drive vehicle and more comfort-focused, unlike the rear-wheel-drive GS which had a sportier option.
• Lexus IS: This is the compact luxury sport sedan and appeals to buyers who prioritize performance, similar to how some buyers chose the GS.
• Lexus LS: The LS remains the brand's flagship sedan, offering the highest level of luxury, technology, and prestige.

Did they discontinue Lexus GS?

Yes, the Lexus GS was discontinued after the 2020 model year. Production ended in August 2020 due to a combination of factors, including declining sales, a shift in the market towards SUVs, and strong competition from both its Japanese rivals (like the Lexus ES) and German luxury sedans. 
You can watch this video to learn more about the history and discontinuation of the Lexus GS: 58sKirk KreifelsYouTube · Mar 4, 2020

• Market shift: The automotive market saw a significant decline in demand for sedans as consumer preference shifted to SUVs and crossovers. 
• Declining sales: The GS struggled with declining sales, and even more affordable and popular models within its own lineup, like the ES and RX, sold far better. 
• Internal competition: The Lexus ES was a direct competitor, being similar in size but generally more popular and affordable. 
• External competition: The GS also faced intense competition from rivals like the BMW 5 Series and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, which often outsold it in the mid-size luxury sedan segment. 
• Lexus's focus: Lexus opted to focus resources on its more popular SUV lineup and other sedans, such as the ES and the redesigned IS. 

This video provides a review of the final Lexus GS model: 1mOut MotorsportsYouTube · Nov 13, 2020