Lexus has redesigned its mid-level GS Sport Sedan for 2013,dropping the V-8 engine and the quad headlights it had sported forthe past two generations. But Lexus has added the unique corporate spindle grille, givingan aggressive look to the otherwise elegant GS. The V-6 powered GS 350 comes in four trim levels, ranging from$46,900 to $55,145 (plus $875 freight) the 350, 350 AWD, 350 FSport and 350 F Sport AWD. There is also a new GS 450h hybrid model, which has a different V-6engine and an electric drive motor. It lists for $58,950, and hasEPA ratings of 29 mpg city/34 highway.
I tested the base GS 350 model ($46,900), with an added F Sportpackage, which brought the aggression level up quite a bit. The Sport Package is mostly functional, with sport-tuned adaptivevariable suspension, variable-gear-ratio steering, sport drivemode, two-piece front brake rotors with four-piston calipers, and a16-way sport driver s seat with power side bolsters (verycomfortable). Nineteen-inch split-five-spoke alloy wheels with dark graphitefinish (wider on the back), striated aluminum interior trim, blackheadliner, F Sport front bumper, upper and lower grille meshinserts, rear valance, and rear lip spoiler added to the sportyappeal. The package also includes rain-sensing wipers (didn t need those),heated and ventilated front seats (needed those), sport pedals, anda power rear sunshade. Under the hood of the GS 350 is a 3.5-liter V-6 producing 306horsepower and 277 foot-pounds of torque.
It s connected to asix-speed, electronically controlled transmission with intelligence(adapts to the driver s style and habits to deliver optimumresults) and paddle shifters. EPA ratings are 19 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. Lexus says the GS will go from zero-60 mph in 5.7 seconds. Ididn t time it, but takeoff was smooth and quick, and that s allI needed to know. Gas shock absorbers and stabilizer bars, speed-sensing powersteering, power-assisted antilock disc brakes with electronicbrake-force distribution and brake assist are standard on the GS350.
The suspension is tighter for the sport mode, of course. The new look of the GS is eye-catching, especially the angularchrome-trimmed grille, the sculpted front bumper with flared vents,the chrome-trimmed door Aluminum Sliding Windows, and the integrated twintailpipe openings in the rear bumper. My tester was Nebula Gray Pearl with a black leather interioraccented by striated aluminum and piano-black trim. The seat andback inserts were perforated leather and the sides weretop-stitched.
The GS also comes in eight other elegant colors, including StarfirePearl (very light gray/silver), Satin Cashmere Metallic (mediumbeige), Meteor Blue Mica (medium/dark), Obsidian (black) andRiviera Red (dark), with several interior combinations of leather(flaxen, light gray or black) and wood or aluminum trim. A leather-wrapped power/tilt/telescopic steering column withautomatic tilt-away is standard, as are the 10-way power-adjustablefront seats (driver s becomes 16-way with the sport package),power tilt/slide moon roof, auto-dimming mirrors (inside andoutside), white LED interior illumination, and a universal garagedoor/gate opener. The driver s seat included memory settings and automaticretraction when the engine is turned off. This feature is fine forthe driver (helps with exiting comfortably and quickly), but therear driver s-side passenger (or groceries or packages in thefloor) could be pressed by the moving seat one minus for theGS350. We had a passenger in that position who suffered thisindignity.
The middle rear seat was confining and uncomfortable, even forthin, agile teenagers. The middle passenger s knees were rightagainst the back of the front center console, blocking the airconditioner vents and the power outlet. Outboard rear passengers had adequate legroom, 36.8 inches, andheadroom, 37.8 inches. The driver and front passenger had lots oflegroom (42.3 inches) and 38 inches of headroom. The wide-open trunk can hold 14.3 cubic feet of cargo (golf bags,luggage, groceries).
This Lexus comes with lots of standard safety equipment and offersadditional protection as options. My tester had side-mounted airbags (front and rear), front knee air bags, three-point safetybelts in all positions (front belts have height adjustment andpre-tensioners), electronic stability control with tractioncontrol, and a backup camera. The audio system is the Lexus Premium with advanced voicerecognition, HD radio with iTunes tagging, Bluetooth technology,DVD/CD player, USB plug and satellite radio. With the changes to the GS, Lexus has a comfortable, sporty, quiet,nimble ride. Including options and freight, the total sticker pricefor my GS was $58,369.
2013 LEXUS GS: Base price: $46,900 Price as tested: $57,494 All prices exclude destination charges. ABOUT THE WRITER Emma Jayne Williams auto reviews appear in the Fort WorthStar-Telegram.
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