The Lexus GS is an upscale midsize sedan that tries to play with the sportier models in its class. As a sharp, comfortable, well-equipped, and entertaining car, it does most things well. The GS was last redesigned for 2013 and has received small-but-steady equipment updates since then. The 2019 model carries over mostly unchanged.

The distinctive exterior styling of the GS is one of this car’s best attributes. The sides are simple, except for a nice little crease along the bottom sill approaching the rear wheel. Most of the detail concentrates in the front and rear ends: angular lighting and grille, angular dual tailpipes, and plenty of contour.

Lexus offers the GS with three engines choices. The first option is a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine rated for 241 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Next is a 3.5-liter V6 engine with an 8-speed automatic, good for 311 hp and 280 lb-ft. This is the only model in the lineup offered with all-wheel drive (AWD) in addition to the standard rear-wheel drive (RWD). This configuration gets a 6-speed automatic. The top-end Lexus GS F gets a 5.0-liter V8 rated for 467 hp and 389 lb-ft. The base GS gets decent fuel economy ratings of 22 city, 32 highway, and 26 combined, though those numbers drop considerably in higher-powered trims.

Inside the stylish cabin, you’ll find spacious seating for five on plush synthetic leather upholstery. Push-button start, a proximity key, 10-way power front seats, a moonroof, and ambient lighting come standard in the GS 300 and GS 350. Step up to the GS F model for leather upholstery and heated and cooled front seats.

The Lexus GS gets an 8-inch display screen with a 12-speaker audio system, Bluetooth, HD Radio, satellite radio, and Siri Eyes Free. Step up to the GS 350 for a 12.3-inch display and the Lexus Enform App suite for smartphone integration. Navigation is included with the GS 350 and GS F trims. This year, Lexus offers the Enform Remote with Amazon Alexa and smartwatch integration.

As of this writing, the 2019 Lexus GS has not been rated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) or National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). However, IIHS completed some of its tests with the 2018 model and awarded Good scores. Lexus includes the Lexus Safety System+ package with every GS. The features of this package include pre-collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane-departure alert, automatic high beams, and dynamic cruise control. You’ll also get a reversing camera, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind-spot monitoring. Options include rain-sensing windshield wipers, parking sensors, and a head-up display (HUD).

The GS isn’t as sporty as Lexus would have you think. However, it’s still a high-class car that is a lot of fun to drive, and is a little different from the European models that typically dominate this segment.