Lexus GS Saloon (2012-2018) running costs and reliability

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Running costs rating: 4 out of 54.0

Written by Tom Goodlad Published: 30 August 2019

Miles per pound (mpp)

Reliable fuel consumption data for comparison purposes is not available for this model.

What is miles per pound?

Fuel economy

A more stringent standard for fuel economy (WLTP) was introduced from September 2017, and this model was not required to undergo that test. Its fuel economy measured under the previous test system was 31 - 64 mpg. However these figures are less likely to be achievable in real world driving and so should never be compared to another car's mpg which was measured under the newer, more realistic WLTP system.

View mpg & specs for any version

Hybrids claim impressive fuel economy
No frugal diesel options, though
Shouldn’t be too costly to run

Thanks to the hybrid powertrains on offer, running costs for the GS may be lower than you might expect. Most impressive of the range is the GS 300h, claiming up to 64.2mpg on the combined cycle. You’ll need a careful right foot to achieve this, though, driving as much as possible with just electric power assisting the car. In reality, you’re more likely to see between 45 and 50mpg in every day driving.

The GS 450h returns a claimed 45.6mpg due to its higher power output and greater performance. You don’t have to work it as hard as the 300h, so 45mpg should be achievable if you’re not too enthusiastic with the accelerator pedal.

Unsurprisingly, the high-performance GS F undoes the hard work of the hybrids to keep running costs low, with claimed fuel economy of just 25.2mpg. Drive it like a performance saloon and you’ll struggle to even hit 20mpg.

Lexus GS 300h (2018) engine

CO2 emissions are pleasingly low across the GS range (barring the GS F), but they can vary depending on the size of the wheels fitted. The GS 300h claims CO2 emissions of just 104g/km, but this is only on Executive Edition cars with the smallest wheels. For Luxury and Premier models, figures stand at 113g/km, while F Sport (and Premier models with 19-inch alloys) claim 115g/km.

Step up to the GS 450h and emissions are 145g/km for F Sport and Premier models with larger wheels, while standard alloys on the GS 450h Premier mean CO2 emissions are 141g/km.

The highest-emitting GS is the performance GS F, producing 260g/km of CO2. This isn’t the one to go for if you’re looking for low tax costs.