From the front view, the Lexus GS350 F-sport looks like a wild animal in full growl. Its enormous spindle grille warns away the competition like a big cat showing its teeth.
In this case, the competitors are mainly German, in the form of the BMW 5-series, Audi A6 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
When it comes to rear-wheel-drive luxury sports sedans, the GS350 can stand its ground with any vehicle in the class. And there are enough GS derivatives - a turbocharged four-cylinder, our normally aspirated V-6, and a gas-electric hybrid - to accommodate a wide range of driving tastes and budgets.
The two-tone interior of the Lexus GS350 is tastefully stylish.The basics
» Model: 2017 Lexus GS350 F-Sport» Engine: 3.6-liter V-6» Fuel Economy: 27 mpg highway, 19 mpg city» Local Dealer: Lexus of Chattanooga, Lee Highway» MSRP: $61,260
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Mark KennedyThere are even all-wheel-drive variants of all the GS models for those who want insurance against hazardous road conditions. All-wheel-drive makes sense for Chattanooga mountain dwellers who would otherwise balk at a rear-wheel-drive sedan shod with factory summer tires - even one that has "snow" mode button on the center stack.
Our tester this week, straight from the factory, is a Smoky Granite Mica Lexus GS350 F-Sport. (Naming car colors is one profession where redundancy is encouraged. Smoke, Granite or Mica would each have been a sufficient name for this shade of dark gray.)
Just the facts: The Lexus GS350 F-Sport is a five-passenger luxury sedan with sexy exterior styling and a plush interior. It's designed for people who treasure performance, leaving the softer-sprung Lexus ES 350 for those who desire a boulevard cruiser.
The F-Sport performance package includes adaptive suspension and active (four-wheel) steering for better handling. The 311 horsepower V-6 engine is capable of pushing the GS350 from zero to 60 miles per hour in 5.7 seconds.
Standard equipment on the GS350 includes three driving modes, navigation, genuine wood trim, perforated leather interior and a 12.3-inch touch screen controlled by Lexus' ingenious center-stack "mouse." The F-Sport package includes 19-inch wheels, a unique fascia, aluminum trim and a black headliner.
Worthwhile options: The Mark Levinson premium sound system ($1,380) bathes the cabin in a wall of sound. The 13-speaker set-up is one of the best in the business, a true gift to audiophiles.
It's good for Chattanooga buyers because: The GS350 offers a lot of luxury and performance for the money, and it has available all-wheel-drive for all-weather driving.
How much? The base price on our tester is $54,810. With options, the MSRP climbs to $61,260.
Cool stuff: The dramatic Spindle grille, which caused controversy when it was introduced a few years ago, has grown on us. The design is bold and makes the GS350 instantly recognizable as a Lexus, which was the whole point.
New for 2017: A safety- tech package including adaptive cruise control, emergency braking and lane departure mitigation is now standard.
We could do without: Some of the stand-alone options. Specifically, the illuminated door sills ($425) and a heads-up display ($900) seem a bit pricey.
We wish for: A bit more rear-seat leg room and a bigger trunk.
While you are looking: Cross-shop the Infiniti Q70, the Audi A6, the Genesis G80, BMW 5-series and the Mercedes-Benz E-class.
Contact Mark Kennedy at mkennedy@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6645.