Is the Lexus GS 350 V-6 or V-8?
The Lexus GS 350 is powered by a 3.5-liter V-6, not a V-8. This has been the defining engine for the GS 350 across its production, while earlier GS models offered V-8 options.
To understand what this means for the car, it helps to look at the GS’s engine history and the model’s evolution. The GS family began with a mix of configurations, including some V-8 variants, but the GS 350 settled on a modern V-6 setup designed for smooth, refined power and better daily usability. The GS line ultimately moved away from V-8 options as Lexus refined its mid-size sedan lineup.
Engine details and performance
The GS 350’s powertrain is a contemporary V-6 paired with a responsive automatic transmission. The figures below summarize typical specifications seen across most GS 350 models.
- 3.5-liter V-6 (Lexus 2GR-FSE family)
- Typically around 300–311 horsepower and about 270–280 lb-ft of torque, depending on year and drivetrain
- 8-speed automatic transmission
- Rear-wheel drive standard, with all-wheel drive available on some trims
- Emphasis on smooth, refined power delivery and daily usability rather than a V-8 soundtrack
These characteristics define the GS 350 as a well-rounded, comfortable luxury sedan with adequate punch for daily driving, but without the brute force of a V-8.
Historical context: V8 options within the GS lineup
There was a time when the Lexus GS lineup included V-8 variants, offering higher-end power and a different character from the V-6 GS 350. For buyers curious about the full range of GS engines, these models presented a contrasting approach to performance.
Representative V8-era GS models
- GS 430 — 4.3-liter V-8, available in the early 2000s, typically producing around 290–300 horsepower
- GS 460 — 4.6-liter V-8, available in the late 2000s, delivering roughly 340+ horsepower
In the progression of the GS series, Lexus shifted toward the V6-powered GS 350 as the mainstay, with the V8 variants becoming part of the model’s historical lineup. Today, the GS 350 is recognized as the V6 option within the last active generation.
Current status and market availability
As part of Lexus’s evolving lineup, the GS model aged out of production in many markets after its final generation. In the United States, the GS was discontinued after the 2019–2020 model year in favor of other Lexus sedans and crossovers. Where the name persists, the GS 350 remains the V6-powered option in the final generation, with no V-8 GS 350 model in production.
Bottom line for prospective buyers: there is no V-8 version of the GS 350; the V8 variants existed in earlier GS models under different designations, while the GS 350 has always used a V-6 engine.
Summary
The Lexus GS 350 is powered by a 3.5-liter V-6, not a V-8. Historically, the GS line did include V-8 variants such as the GS 430 and GS 460, but the GS 350 remains the V-6 representative of the model in its final generation. The GS line has since been phased out in many markets, with Lexus focusing on other sedans and SUVs.
