2018 Lexus GS F

If you want to go fast in a Lexus, the brand's line of F models is where its at. These cars are analogous to BMW's M cars, those wearing the Mercedes-Benz AMG label and Cadillac's V models. But where those cars employ turbocharging to extract big power from relatively small-displacement engines, Toyota uses big-bore V8s to make its F cars fast.

And that remains unchanged in the case of the 2018 Lexus GS F, the mid-size member of the company's rapid transit family. This sedan uses a 5.0L V8 to put 467 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission.

There are two other versions of the GS -- the gasoline-powered GS 350 and hybrid GS 450h -- covered in a separate buyer's guide entry.

The competent GS gets little attention in the marketplace, and that's a shame especially in the GS F's case, because its high-revving V8 is a joy to run to its redline in hard acceleration.

Demerits include a tight rear seat and a remote touch interface infotainment controller that can be difficult to use. If you can get used to it, you'll like the ability to display a variety of information on the 12.3-inch screen.

Lexus isn't subtle about the GS F's performance, kitting the car out with a more aggressive front fascia sporting a larger grille and air intakes. Out back, there are stacked exhaust finishers and a carbon fibre spoiler, and the look is completed with 19-inch wheels and tires.

Where the big engine is tasked with getting this car up to speed in a hurry, Brembo brakes with six-piston front calipers have the job of slowing things down. Also standard is an adaptive suspension and a torque-vectoring differential.

Working against the GS F is the sport sedan segment is the fact that both Mercedes-Benz and BMW have more recently revamped their fast mid-sizers, the E 63 and M5, respectively. Age-wise, this Lexus lines up a little better against the Audi S7, another design that's a few years old. All of those cars have AWD, leaving the GS F in the minority with its two driven wheels.

But being a luxury car first, the GS F brings a long list of upscale features that includes a heated steering wheel, three-zone automatic climate control, 17-speaker stereo, navigation, eight-way power front seats with heat and ventilation functions, rear door sunshades, auto-dimming rearview and side mirrors and a power-adjustable steering column.

Safety kit includes a pre-collision system, automatic high beams, dynamic radar cruise control and lane departure alert with steering assist.

The GS F's fuel consumption estimates are 14.9/9.7 L/100 km (city/highway).