Is Lexus GS a compact car?
No. The Lexus GS is not a compact car; it is a mid-size luxury sedan. Lexus discontinued the GS after the 2020 model year, and the brand now positions the ES as its primary mid-size sedan while the IS remains the compact option, with LS and other models filling other size segments.
Where the GS stood in the Lexus lineup
Understanding the GS requires knowing how Lexus groups its sedans by size. Historically, the GS lived in the mid-size, executive segment rather than the compact tier. Its closest peers were the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class, which are also considered mid-size luxury cars.
Below is a quick map of Lexus sedan size classes and where the GS sits within them.
- IS — compact luxury sedan
- ES — mid-size luxury sedan
- GS — mid-size luxury sedan (discontinued after 2020)
- LS — full-size luxury sedan
In practice, if you’re seeking a compact Lexus today, the IS is the closest option, while the ES serves the mid-size space that the GS once occupied.
What this means in practice
Because the GS is no longer in production, buyers looking for a current Lexus sedan should focus on IS for compact needs or ES for mid-size needs. The LS remains the larger, flagship sedan. The GS’s legacy lives on in used-car markets, but it is not part of Lexus’s current new-car lineup.
Defining compact vs. mid-size in the auto market
The terms “compact” and “mid-size” are traditional automaker and regulator descriptors. In the U.S., compact cars are typically shorter and lighter, occupying the lower end of the size spectrum, while mid-size sedans offer more interior space and longer overall length. In Lexus’s taxonomy, the IS is the compact line, the ES is the main mid-size sedan, and the GS was a mid-size offering that has been retired.
Current options for buyers
If a buyer wants a current Lexus that aligns with a compact footprint, the IS remains the standard choice. For those prioritizing more interior space and comfort in a sedan, the ES is the practical mid-size alternative. The LS targets full-size luxury sedan buyers seeking maximum space and luxury features.
Additionally, if you’re exploring Lexus models beyond sedans, the lineup includes SUVs such as the NX and RX, which occupy different size categories but are not compact sedans.
Bottom line
The GS is not a compact car. It was a mid-size luxury sedan that is no longer in production as a new vehicle. In today’s lineup, Lexus reserves the compact segment for the IS and uses the ES to address the mid-size market, with the LS serving as the full-size flagship.
Summary
Key points: The Lexus GS is a mid-size luxury sedan, not a compact car. It was discontinued after the 2020 model year. For current Lexus buyers, the IS represents the compact option, the ES the mid-size option, and the LS the full-size option. The GS lives on in used markets but is not part of the new-car lineup.
Which is bigger, Lexus LS or GS?
The exterior dimensions of the GS sedan are noticeably smaller than the LS, but you will notice minimal differences in the spaciousness of the cabins.
Is the Lexus GS 350 a midsize car?
That car has always been the Lexus GS. Our midsize premium sedan was made to bring excitement back to driving.
Is Lexus GS bigger than ES?
GS = Grand Sport, it's slightly bigger and sporty. ES = Executive Sedan , it's midsized and built for comfort.
Is the Lexus GS a full-size car?
In some markets such as North America and Asia, the GS shares the mid-size sedan category in the Lexus lineup with the front-wheel drive ES, serving as its rear-wheel-drive counterpart.
