Why did Lexus stop making GS?
The short answer: Lexus ended production of the GS after the 2020 model year due to waning demand for mid-size luxury sedans and a strategic pivot toward SUVs and electrified models.
Context: The GS in Lexus' lineup
The GS was introduced in the 1990s as a rear-wheel-drive sport-luxury sedan positioned between the smaller IS and the larger LS. Over time, consumer preferences shifted toward SUVs and crossovers, and Lexus recalibrated its product strategy to emphasize higher-volume, more profitable segments. That shift set the stage for the GS’s retirement and a reallocation of engineering resources to newer platforms and technologies.
Reasons the GS Was Discontinued
The following factors collectively made continuing the GS unviable for Lexus.
- Declining demand for mid-size luxury sedans as buyers pivoted to SUVs and crossovers.
- High cost and limited return to refresh an aging rear-drive platform to meet evolving safety and emissions standards.
- Overlap with the ES and IS within Lexus’ sedan lineup, creating limited differentiation and profitability.
- A strategic shift toward electrified powertrains and SUVs, where demand and growth prospects were stronger.
Ultimately, the decision reflected broader market trends and a recalibrated product plan aimed at sustaining profitability and brand growth.
What Lexus Did After the GS
With the GS gone, Lexus redirected resources toward growth areas and electrification while maintaining a sedated, but still robust, sedan lineup.
- Expanded and modernized its SUV lineup, prioritizing the RX and NX to capitalize on rising crossover demand.
- Accelerated electrification, launching the RZ 450e and expanding hybrid options such as the NX 450h+ to broaden the electrified portfolio.
- Maintained sedans through the ES and IS lines, updating them to stay competitive even as the GS nameplate was retired and without a direct GS replacement.
- Invested in advanced technology, safety features, and performance variants across the lineup to preserve Lexus’ prestige in a changing market.
In this reorientation, Lexus signaled that there would be no direct successor to the GS, instead betting on SUVs, electrified vehicles, and a refreshed sedan lineup to maintain appeal.
Summary
In essence, Lexus stopped making the GS because mid-size sedans lost ground to SUVs, the cost of updating the aging platform was hard to justify, and the brand chose to focus on more profitable and future-facing models. The GS nameplate has not reappeared, and Lexus continues to push its SUV range and electrified offerings (such as the RZ 450e) while keeping ES and IS as its primary sedan options.
Will there be a 2025 Lexus GS?
And traffic sign recognition. The GS also features a 360°. Camera system front and rear parking sensors. And an advanced headsup display to help keep your eyes on the road.
What is the most common problem with Lexus GS 350?
Top Lexus GS350 Problems
- Brief Rattle or Knocking Noise on Initial Start Up.
- The Inside Rear View Mirror May Become Discolored.
- Software Upgrade for Navigation & Heater Control Displays.
- Lexus GS350 sputtering issue with check engine light and traction control warning.
Why did Lexus discontinue the GS 350?
The GS was killed because it was just never competitive enough after the introduction of the 2GR engine. It was a great engine with high output for the time that it was added, in 2007. When it came out it was always available with a 6 or 8 cylinder engine if you wanted, except for the newest model.
What happened to the Lexus GS model?
The Lexus GS was discontinued worldwide in 2020 after slowing sales and a turn to focus on crossovers and SUVs. It was replaced by the already-sold Lexus ES. However, the ES lost some of its appeal due to it being FWD, as the GS was focused more on driving dynamics. It was offered in RWD and later AWD formats.
