DecodedCars2018 Lexus GS
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2018 models.
- Class
- Midsize Cars
- Body styles
- 350 AWD 4dr Sedan, 450h 4dr Sedan Hybrid, F 4dr Sedan
- Engines
- 3.5L 6-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 5.0L 8-cyl
- Horsepower
- 467 hp
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Seats
- 5
- Fuel
- Hybrid, Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 31 combined · 29 city / 34 hwy
- Length
- 192.1–193.3 in
- Curb weight
- 3,891–4,112 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 4 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Strong performanceUp to 467 hp, versus about 340 hp for similar 2018 models.
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
- AWD / 4WD available
- Lots of standard safety tech4 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 43 similar 2018 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2018 Lexus GS is a midsize car offered with 3 engines (3.5L 6-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 5.0L 8-cyl), including a hybrid version and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 192 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,891 lb (350 AWD 4dr Sedan).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 31 MPG combined (29 city / 34 highway), 14% better than the 2018 midsize car average of 27.2 MPG, for an estimated $2,650 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.
What changed for 2018
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2017 GS — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2017; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2017 GS →
Trims, performance & features
Engine–3.5L 6-cyl
Engine467 hp5.0L 8-cyl
DriveAWD/4WD
Seating5 seats · 2 rows
Trims
350/350 F SportF
Safety & driver-assist features
Automatic emergency brakingStandard
Forward collision warningStandard
Blind-spot monitoringStandard
Lane departure warningStandard
Lane keeping assistStandard
Adaptive cruise controlStandard
Backup cameraStandard
Automatic high beamsStandard
Adaptive driving beamStandard
Keyless startStandard
LED headlightsYes
Built in: Toyota City, Aichi
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 3 2018 GS configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 350 AWD 4dr Sedan | 192.1 in | 72.4 in | 57.9 in | 112.2 in | 62.6 / 63 in | 3,891 lb | 52/48 |
| 450h 4dr Sedan Hybrid | 192.1 in | 72.4 in | 57.5 in | 112.2 in | 62.6 / 63 in | 4,112 lb | 52/48 |
| F 4dr Sedan | 193.3 in | 72.4 in | 57.9 in | 112.2 in | 62.6 / 63 in | 4,035 lb | 52/48 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS 450h Hybrid | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (AV-S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 29 / 34 / 31 | +14% | $2,650 | 283 |
| GS 300 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 22 / 32 / 26 | -4% | $3,150 | 345 |
| GS 300 F Sport | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 21 / 30 / 24 | -12% | $3,400 | 368 |
| GS 350 | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 / 28 / 23 | -15% | $3,550 | 388 |
| GS 350 F Sport | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 / 27 / 22 | -19% | $3,750 | 405 |
| GS 350 AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 19 / 26 / 22 | -19% | $3,750 | 407 |
| GS F | 5.0L 8-cyl | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 24 / 19 | -30% | $4,350 | 472 |
7/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
7/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $1,250Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
27.2 MPG2018 Midsize Cars average
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2018 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2018 Lexus GS.
Similar 2018 midsize cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Lexus GS (this car) | 31 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2018 BMW 3 Series | 36 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
| 2018 BMW 5 Series | 30 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class | 25 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
| 2018 Lexus IS | 26 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 30 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2018 Tesla Model 3 | 310 mi | ★★★★★ | 19 |
Recalls (4)
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · Apr 8, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V222000 · 9,139 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2015-2022 Lexus RC, 2016-2020 GS, and 2022 IS vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
- Risk
- Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed October 15, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26LB05 and 26LA05.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · Nov 4, 2020
NHTSA campaign 20V682000 · 1,525,742 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
- Risk
- If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · Jan 13, 2020
NHTSA campaign 20V012000 · 1,830,752 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020. On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna and Lexus 2018 ES 350, 2018-2019 GS 300, 2013-2014 GS350, 2014-2015 GX 460, IS 350 and LX 570, 2014 IS F, 2018-2019 IS 350, LC 500H and LS 500H, 2013-2015 LS 460, 2015 NX 200T and RC350, 2017 RC 200T and RX 350. Toyota also removed the 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser and 2018-2019 Lexus GX 460 and LX 570 and 2019 NX300 from inclusion in this recall. On March 19, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include 2015 Lexus GS350 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
- Risk
- If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB02 and 20TA02 for Toyota vehicles and 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · Feb 14, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V107000 · 9,905 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Lexus GS F, 2018 LC500, and 2015-2018 Lexus RC F vehicles, equipped with 5.0L V8 2UR-GSE engines with two high pressure fuel pumps. Specific operating conditions may result in damage to the pulsation damper in one of the high pressure fuel pumps, possibly causing a fatigue crack in the fuel pump cover.
- Risk
- A cracked cover may leak fuel, which, in the presence of an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pumps, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 2, 2018. Owners may contact Lexus customer service 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J2B and JLB.
Not every 2018 Lexus GS is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
4Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
0Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
0Injuries reported
79,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2018 Lexus GS buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Structure — 1 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
- Visibility › Windshield — 1 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 79,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2018 Lexus GS. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other GS years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 GS | 23 | 192.1 in | Not rated | 1 | 0 |
| 2019 GS | 26 | 192.1 in | Not rated | 3 | 1 |
| 2017 GS | 31 | 192.1 in | Not rated | 3 | 6 |
| 2016 GS | 31 | 192.1 in | Not rated | 2 | 10 |
| 2015 GS | 31 | 191.7 in | Not rated | 1 | 19 |
| 2014 GS | 31 | 191.7 in | Not rated | 1 | 19 |
| 2013 GS | 31 | 191.7 in | Not rated | 3 | 37 |
| 2011 GS | 23 | 190.2 in | Not rated | 3 | 7 |
| 2010 GS | 23 | 190.2 in | Not rated | 3 | 15 |
| 2009 GS | 23 | 190.2 in | Not rated | 3 | 3 |
| 2008 GS | 23 | 190.2 in | Not rated | 4 | 34 |
| 2007 GS | 23 | 190.2 in | Not rated | 6 | 55 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Lexus. How we calculate this →