Was the GS 400 the fastest sedan?
No—the Lexus GS 400 was not the fastest sedan of its era. It offered strong performance and refined luxury, but it did not top the speed charts when compared with its peers.
To understand this question, it helps to look at what the GS 400 offered in terms of power, handling, and top speed, and then compare it with other high-performance sedans from the late 1990s and early 2000s. The GS 400 used a potent V8 and emphasized a smooth, quiet ride alongside Lexus reliability, rather than competing on outright raw acceleration or top speed with the era’s sport-focused flagships.
GS 400: Engine, specs and performance
The GS 400 was part of Lexus’s second-generation GS lineup and used a 4.0-liter V8 (the 1UZ-FE family) paired with a traditional automatic transmission. It delivered roughly 300 horsepower and around 300 lb-ft of torque, enabling strong daily performance while prioritizing refinement. In typical configurations, acceleration to 60 mph fell in the mid-to-high six-second range, and top speed was generally in the neighborhood of 140–150 mph depending on model year, tires, and electronic limiting.
Key details
In summary, the GS 400 focused on a balanced blend of luxury, smooth power delivery, and reliability, rather than chasing the top-end speed crown or the most aggressive 0–60 times. This placement reflects Lexus’s broader philosophy for the GS lineup during that period.
Rivals and how the GS 400 stacked up
To put the GS 400 in perspective, here is a snapshot of typical performance figures for several fast sedans from the late 1990s and early 2000s. These figures reflect common press and dealer estimates from that era, noting that exact numbers varied by year, market, and testing method.
- BMW M5 E39 (1998–2003): roughly 394 horsepower, 0–60 mph in about 4.8–5.0 seconds, top speed commonly limited to 155 mph.
- Mercedes-Benz S55 AMG (W220, 1999–2003): about 345–355 horsepower, 0–60 in the mid-to-high 5-second range, top speed around 155 mph.
- Jaguar XJR (X308, late 1990s–early 2000s): V8 variants with 0–60 typically in the mid-5-second range and top speeds around 150–155 mph in many configurations.
- Audi S6 (C5, late 1990s): 0–60 generally in the mid- to high-5-second range for the top spec variants, with top speeds commonly around 155 mph (often electronically limited).
- Lexus GS 430 (2000–2005): about 300 horsepower, 0–60 in the mid- to high-5-second range, top speed around the low 150s mph in many markets.
Taken together, performance figures show that the GS 400 offered a refined, powerful V8 with luxury-focused packaging, but it generally trailed the outright speed leaders like the M5 E39 and S55 AMG. It did not hold the crown for fastest sedan during its production window, though it remained a strong and comfortable performance sedan in its own right.
Why this mattered for Lexus and buyers at the time
The GS 400 represented Lexus’s push to blend Japan-level reliability with European-styled performance potential. For buyers prioritizing a quiet cabin, smooth power, and long-term durability—alongside credible everyday performance—the GS 400 was an appealing choice. For enthusiasts chasing peak acceleration and top-end speed, rivals from BMW, Mercedes, and Jaguar offered stronger numbers.
Summary
Bottom line: The GS 400 was a capable, luxurious sport sedan, but it was not the fastest sedan of its era. It sat behind some of its peers in the speed wars of the late 1990s and early 2000s, while delivering Lexus-level comfort, refinement, and reliability. For many buyers, that combination was precisely what made the GS 400 appealing.
