Why did Lexus get rid of GS?
The GS was discontinued after the 2020 model year as part of a broader move by Lexus to emphasize SUVs, crossovers, and electrified models over aging mid-size sedans; there is no direct GS successor planned.
Background: What the Lexus GS was
The GS is Lexus’s mid-size, rear-wheel-drive luxury sedan that was engineered to compete with the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class. Across its generations, it offered a blend of sportiness and luxury, including performance-oriented F Sport variants and, later, hybrid options. Over time, sales of the GS declined as consumer demand shifted toward SUVs and crossovers, and as the brand refined its sedan lineup.
Discontinuation timeline
In 2020, Lexus announced that the GS would be discontinued after the 2020 model year in North America, with similar signals in other regions. The move marked the end of the GS as a current model and left no direct successor in the lineup.
Why Lexus made the decision
Several market and product factors converged to make a GS successor unlikely. The following points explain the rationale:
- Declining sedan demand relative to SUVs and crossovers
- Higher profitability and stronger sales from Lexus SUVs such as the NX and RX
- Rising development costs for a next-generation rear-drive sedan with limited market appeal
- A strategic push toward electrification and a broader lineup of electrified models
- No direct replacement planned; the ES serves as the closest sedan option for many customers
Beyond these factors, Lexus has steered its product strategy toward performance-oriented models (such as LC and IS variants) and a growing electrified portfolio, aligning with Toyota’s global electrification goals.
What came after: How Lexus steered its lineup
With no GS successor, Lexus redirected resources to its strongest-selling segments. The ES remains the primary mid-size sedan option, the IS continues as a sport-oriented contributor, and the SUV family—NX, RX, and larger models—has become the backbone of the brand. Electrified variants, including hybrids and planned fully electric models, have expanded to meet regulatory requirements and consumer demand.
Regional variations
Discontinuation timelines and availability varied by market, but the overarching strategy—prioritizing SUVs and electrified models over a traditional mid-size sedan—remained consistent globally.
Summary
Lexus retired the GS as part of a strategic portfolio shift rather than a failure of the model itself. By focusing on the more popular ES and the growing SUV and electrified segments, Lexus aimed to improve profitability and align with changing consumer preferences and regulatory targets.
What took the place of 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.
Why did Lexus stop making the GS?
Lexus stopped making the GS because of declining sales, shifting market demands away from sedans and toward SUVs, and strong internal competition from other Lexus models like the ES and RX. The company decided to discontinue the lineup after the 2020 model year to focus on its higher-volume and more popular vehicles.
Reasons for discontinuation
- Low sales and shifting market: The GS sedan's sales had been steadily declining, particularly as consumer preference shifted heavily towards SUVs and crossovers.
- Internal competition: The popular and more affordable Lexus ES outsold the GS by a significant margin, fulfilling the needs of many buyers who wanted a comfortable luxury sedan from the brand. The RX SUV also cannibalized sales by being a top-selling model in a different segment.
- Focus on higher-volume models: Lexus chose to allocate resources to models that sold better. Discontinuing the GS allowed the brand to focus on expanding its SUV and crossover lineup.
- External competition: In a competitive luxury market, the GS struggled to compete with German rivals like the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, which were often preferred by buyers for brand cachet.
Does Lexus still make a GS model?
No, Lexus discontinued the GS sedan after the 2020 model year due to declining sales and a market shift toward SUVs. Production of the midsize luxury sedan ended in August 2020.
- The GS struggled against rivals like the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
- The discontinuation was also influenced by Lexus's focus on expanding its SUV and crossover lineup.
- The ES sedan is positioned as Lexus's main offering in the sedan market, which is both cheaper and larger than the GS was, making it more popular for Lexus customers, say forum users.
When did Lexus get rid of the GS?
The last model year for the Lexus GS was 2020. Production ended that year, and the midsize luxury sedan was discontinued in the US market due to declining sales and a shift in consumer preference toward SUVs.
- The final version sold in the US was the 2020 Lexus GS 350.
- Lexus had previously ended production for the European market in 2018.
- Factors that led to the discontinuation include the growing popularity of SUVs, strong competition, and Lexus's decision to focus on its crossover lineup.
