Lexus GS 300 Production Ends for 2020

The life of the Lexus GS 300 saloon has come to an end as it’s been discontinued for 2020. This news has been confirmed by the Japanese automaker’s spokesperson to Cars Direct. The 300 is the GS family’s cheapest model and its dead will leave the more costly GS 350 and GS F as the remaining members of the lineup.

In case you wonder why Lexus is axing the most affordable GS, it’s due to the fact that the saloon isn’t bought anymore, not by many people. Lexus spokesperson Alissa Moceri said “the GS 300 represented a small percentage of GS sales in 2018,” and Lexus is “constantly evaluating model mixes throughout” its lineup.

It’s unlikely that consumers will feel sorry for the GS 300 as the car itself is rarely found in showrooms. In addition, it’s generally a difficult model to find anywhere. In July, Lexus only managed to sell 305 GS cars, next to more than 4,900 ES saloons, which made it the company’s slowest-selling car after the LC.

Under the hood, the GS 300 is motivated by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that delivers 241 horsepower. For many, this output may not be sufficient; especially for a sports saloon, which should make at least 311 horsepower like the GS 350 with its 3.5-liter V6.

Unfortunately, the demise of the 300 will give the GS a higher starting price. For 2020, the GS 350 starts at $52,420 while the GS F is priced from $86,035. Meanwhile, the outgoing GS 300 has a base price of $47,885. We’ve heard reports that suggest the 300’s death is just the beginning of the collapse of the entire GS family. Nevertheless, that has proven to be untrue, at least for now.

So the remaining GS cars will remain available for those who want to buy them. That’s if shoppers don’t want the ES instead. Why? Because it’s newer and cheaper than the “sumptuous luxury and world-class quality” sport sedan, not to mention that it’s nearly as potent. Making 302 horsepower, the ES is priced over $7,000 less than the GS, which seems to make it a more desirable choice.