Let’s get this out of the way first. When Wooley drove the 2016 Lexus GS-F he fell in love. He loved it so much that he categorically refused to let anyone else drive it. He loved the power, the handling, the interior and the body. It’s a car that rips and snarls like a muscle car but with the refinement and longevity of a Lexus. It’s sublime.
So that leads us to this car. The 2016 Lexus GS200t F-Sport. How does it compare? Well it doesn’t and no rational person can. This car is designed and engineered for the sensible person out there….like me. So let me explain.
I have a long standing rant about traffic in and around Atlanta. There is just too much traffic and not enough road. Between the hours of 7am and 11:30pm it’s nearly impossible to go above 80 mph (not that you would…because that is ummm illegal and stuff) and above 40 mph on the surface roads. So that begs the question…if you want a comfortable but yet dynamically fun car what do you get? The answer is the GS200t.
It’s powered by a 2.0 liter 4 cylinder making 241 horsepower and 258 lb/ft of torque. We have sampled this engine before in the NX200t and the IS200t and it was a love/hate thing. Loved it in the NX but in the IS it had some dreaded turbo lag. Thankfully it feels better in the GS and this thing just scoots around town. The mid-range punch can actually push you back in the seat a bit and we were getting around 25 mpg in mixed driving.
Handling wise this thing is an absolute blast! Turn in is immediate and the steering is nice and direct. The tenacious grip offered from the chassis and the confidence it builds along the way is downright fun! You would swear you are in car half its size. The front brakes are a 4 piston caliper bolted a large 14 inch rotor and offers the perfect pedal feel with no hint of fade.
So to sum up? Aggressive looks, HUGE trunk, pristine interior, fantastic handling, wonderful brakes and a punchy and yet fuel efficient motor.
Sounds like a good combination to me? How about you?
Your review is kind a dated but just wanted correct something here:
“Loved it in the NX but in the IS it had some dreaded turbo lag. Thankfully it feels better in the GS and this thing just scoots around town”
NX and IS you had driven could have E-CVT since both those 200t badges have the same engine.