Lexus Discontinues the GS 300 for 2020; LQ Flagship SUV Is Coming (UPDATE 4/24/20: Lexus GS Is Dead after 2020 MY)

Lexus doesn't sell a ton of the GS, which is probably why the base GS 300 model is dropped now. Could this be foreshadowing the discontinuation of the entire GS line?

UPDATE 4/24/20: The Lexus GS will officially be discontinued after the 2020 model year. I had a feeling this was coming. The rear-wheel drive GS has been in a sales slump and constantly outsold by the front-wheel drive ES, which is also significantly cheaper. This, before you factor in the whole crossover SUV and truck trend we have going on. A special 2020 Black Line Edition will be offered as a send off. R.I.P. #Sedanapocalypse

For the 2020 model year, Lexus has dropped the GS 300 from the GS line. This was a base model that started at $47,885 with 241 HP. Lexus says that this model only accounted for a small percentage of GS sales, so people were going for the higher GS 350 and GS 350 F Sport models. The GS 350 starts at $52,420 for 2020 and makes 311 HP. The GS 350 F Sport rear-wheel drive starts at $53,785, and the AWD model at $55,530. The GS F is powered by a 5.0L V8 with 467 HP and 389 pound-feet of torque.

The Lexus GS sells in pretty low numbers, and if you visit a dealer, it doesn’t even look like they stock many. I noticed this at my local Lexus dealer near Ann Arbor. Its rumored that the Lexus ES may offer AWD in the future (finally) and given that both the IS and GS sedans are older designs now while the ES is all new, this could be a reason for the sales slump. The 2020 Lexus ES makes just nine HP less than the GS 350 at 302 with its 3.5L V6 and costs $7,000 less (albeit, its FWD vs. the GS with RWD). Time will tell what happens to Lexus’ sedan lineup as SUV sales continue to grow and sedan demand continues to cool off. A RWD sport sedan will likely always have a following. But something tells me the GS might be on its way out the door in the future...

Lexus LQ SUV Coming Soon?

Lexus LF-1 Limitless Concept - this will likely inspire the design of the upcoming LQ SUV.

In other Lexus news - it looks like there’s going to be a new top SUV coming to the Lexus lineup. The upcoming LQ will slot above the LX, which is an ancient design that competes with the likes of the Lincoln Navigator and Cadillac Escalade. The LQ likely will be far more modern than other  Lexus SUVs, and may even make up to 600 HP. Its basic design was previewed a few years ago by the LF-1 Limitless concept from 2018, but the LQ isn’t likely to arrive until the 2022 model year with base prices starting in the $80,000 to $100,000 range.

Are you a Lexus fan and which model would you get? I’m looking forward to some new life being injected into Lexus’ lineup. Personally, I find Toyota and Lexus cars to be very practical and always reliable, but kinda boring to drive and overstyled all at the same time... Their infotainment system in their cars also needs an overhaul (in particular Lexus).

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