Item: 2005 Lexus S190 GS
Rating: 3.5

For GS 300 and GS 430, refined petrol engines
For GS 450h, fuel-efficient hybrid powertrain
Quiet, well-insulated cabin
High standard of interior fit and finish
Generally accomplished ride/handling balance…

… but suspension for GS 450h lacks compliance
Light, overly-assisted steering lacks feel
Lack of rear seat headroom

Review: Lexus S190.I GS 300, GS 430 and GS 450h (2005-08)

Overview

Released in March 2005, the Lexus S190 Series I (S190.I) GS was a mid-size, rear-wheel drive range of sedans. Manufactured in Tahara, Japan, the Lexus S190 GS range initially consisted of the GS 300 and GS 430, powered by 3.0-litre V6 and 4.3-litre V8 engines respectively.

GS 300 and GS 430: 3GR-FSE and 3UZ-FE engines

Of the engines,

The 3.0-litre 3GR-FSE V6 petrol engine had a die-cast aluminium block, direct fuel injection, double overhead camshafts (per cylinder bank), four valves per cylinder, variable inlet and exhaust valve timing (‘Dual VVT-i’) and a compression ratio of 11.5:1; and,
Compared the 3GR-FSE engine, the 4.3-litre 3UZ-FE V8 omitted direct injection, had variable intake valve timing only (‘VVT-i’) and operated at a lower compression ratio of 10.5:1.

Lexus GS 450h: 2GR-FSE engine and electric motor

In May 2006, the range was expanded with the hybrid GS 450h, which was powered by a direct-injection, 3.5-litre 2GR-FSE V6 petrol engine and a 650 volt permanent magnet electric motor which could operate independently and in tandem. Via planetary reduction gears, the power transmission unit would combine and re-allocate power from the engine, electric motor and generator according to operational requirements. Through two-stage motor speed reduction gearing, the continuously variable transmission could also provide maximum low-gear torque for acceleration and extended high-gear performance for fuel-efficient cruising. Furthermore, the driver could select from three drive settings: Normal, Power, Snow and Sport.

Dimensions and suspension

Relative to the Lexus S160 GS , the S190 GS was 20 mm longer (4825 mm), 20 mm wider (1820 mm), 15 mm lower (1430 mm) and had a 50 mm longer wheelbase (2850 mm). Furthermore, the S190 GS was fitted with double wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear suspension (both with coil springs, gas-filled dampers and anti-roll bars).

Lexus S190.I GS specifications
Model	Variants	Engine	Trans.	Peak power	Peak torque
GS 300	Sports, Sports Luxury	3.0-litre petrol V6 (3GR-FSE)	6sp auto	183 kW at 6200 rpm	310 Nm at 3500 rpm
GS 430	Sports Luxury	4.3-litre petrol V8 (3UZ-FE)	6sp auto	208 kW at 5600 rpm	417 Nm at 3500 rpm
GS 450h	N/A	3.5-litre petrol V6 (2GR-FSE)	CVT	218 kW at 6400 rpm	368 Nm at 4800 rpm
		Permanent magnet motor	CVT	147 kW	275 Nm
		Combined		254 kW	N/A

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the S190 GS included dual front airbags, side airbags for front and rear occupants, curtain airbags for front and rear occupants, knee airbags for driver and passenger, ABS, brake assist, electronic brake force distribution, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

The GS 300 Sport Luxury, GS 430 and GS 450h were also equipped with a pre-collision system. In the event that a collision was anticipated – which included the radar sensors in the active cruise control system – the pre-collision system would pretension the seatbelts and, if necessary, prepare the brake assist system.

The GS 430 Sports Luxury and GS 450h were also fitted with a Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system which enabled intuitive counter-steering – without driver input – to prevent the driver from losing control.

Brakes

The S190 GS had 334 mm by 30 mm spiral-fin ventilated front brake discs with four-piston opposed aluminium monobloc calipiers and 310 mm by 18 mm ventilated rear discs with single-piston calipers.

Euro NCAP crash testing

In Euro NCAP crash testing , the GS 300 received a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 34.81 out of 37. In the frontal offset test, there was a slight risk of chest and lower leg injury for the driver. In the side impact and pole tests, however, maximum points were awarded.

Features: GS Sports and Sports Luxury

Standard features for the GS 300 Sports included 17-inch alloy wheels, a ten speaker sound system with a six-stack CD player, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, leather seats, power adjustable and heated front seats, cruise control, front fog lamps, adaptive front headlights, a rear vision camera, automatic headlights, rain sensing wipers, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity, remote central locking and proximity key, power windows and mirrors, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, an electrochromatic rear view mirror, front seat memory settings, a trip computer, an alarm and immobiliser.

Beyond this, the GS 300 Sports Luxury added a fourteen speaker Mark Levinson sound system with MP3/WMA compatibility, a satellite navigation system, radar-controlled active cruise control (i.e. with autonomous braking), front and rear parking sensors, rear fog lamps and a power moonroof.

The GS 430 Sports Luxury was further equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, Adaptive Variable Suspension (Lexus’ AVS) and variable gear ratio steering; the GS 450h was further distinguished by its DVD player, perforated leather seats and a park assist display.

Review: Lexus S190.II GS 300, GS 460 and GS 450h (2008-11)