Topic: First Drive: 2013 Lexus GS

[Autos_Editor]

With its German competitors in mind, Lexus injects a little more passion and performance into its mid-size luxury sedans.

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[Jaeger]

I know the more dramatic new front end is polarizing, but I REALLY like it.  I just kind of wish that bold approach carried a bit further rearward for better design cohesion.  Aft of the a-pillar, it could be a Camry. 

Jaeger

[nlm]

Funny you should mention the Camry as the GS redesign reminds me of the Camry redesign: a different approach here, same old same old there and overall it doesn't come across as strongly as suggested.

The front end *might* grow on me but the new look certainly doesn't widen my eyes and make me stare at vehicle.

[tazcubed]

<div style="text-align:left">

With its German competitors in mind, Lexus injects a little more passion and performance into its mid-size luxury sedans.

<a href=http://www.autos.ca/first-drives/first-drive-2013-lexus-gs>Read More...</a></div>

I'll say that I actually like this front end, especially given Lexus' usually bland styling. A bit of sportiness combined with luxury may be enough to bring me into a showroom and a test drive.

[johngenx]

Best GS in a long time, and the pricing is very aggressive.  The "base" model is also very well equipped, and buying one would be realistic.

[dirtyjeffer]

Best GS in a long time, and the pricing is very aggressive.  The "base" model is also very well equipped, and buying one would be realistic.

agreed...around the office, several people here have Lexus' vehicles and one thing that is not up for debate is their solid reliability and excellent customer service (dealership)...if i had the money to drop $50k on a car, i would certainly consider one of these.

[D70]

My 3.5L has a few less hp, a few less gadgets, but does well on the autocross track and gets great economy on the highway for a lot less money

http://www.flickr.com/photos/d70w7/4441547250/

[TagueVagn]

I like how "chiropractic support for the driver, and fuel efficiency" are in the same sentance... LOL

But anyway, it sounds like Lexus is heading in the right direction to keep the younger buyers (30+) in mind.  I have never really considered buying a Lexus but if they keep heading in the right direction that might change!

[alexdc]

Rebirth of Lexus!! I stepped in one of these at the Quebec Auto Show. I would like to drive one!

[rrocket]

I really like the new GS.  My 1998 GS was the best sedan I ever owned.  Preferred it over my IS350, too.

[ovr50]

IMO, Lexus has done a good job on this car.

[aaronk]

RWD is faster than AWD...interesting. Well, on dry pavement that is 

I'm not a fan of the front-end styling, but I think Lexus has pulled off what Acura couldn't. They have created a polarizing image for their brand that is striking and sporty, I think the whole Lexus lineup needed an attitude infusion and it looks like it has arrived. It's so drastically different than the old GS, it makes the designers at Mercedes-Benz and BMW look lazy.

[quadzilla]

My 3.5L has a few less hp, a few less gadgets, but does well on the autocross track and gets great economy on the highway for a lot less money

Doesn't your car have 215hp which would be 91hp less which is more than a few less?  And seriously, comparing a 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue to a brand new Lexus.

[Jaeger]

My 3.5L has a few less hp, a few less gadgets, but does well on the autocross track and gets great economy on the highway for a lot less money

Doesn't your car have 215hp which would be 91hp less which is more than a few less?  And seriously, comparing a 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue to a brand new Lexus.

Seriously? It's an Intrigue he's trying to pass off as some kind of GS equivalent?

Jaeger

[D70]

My 3.5L has a few less hp, a few less gadgets, but does well on the autocross track and gets great economy on the highway for a lot less money

Doesn't your car have 215hp which would be 91hp less which is more than a few less?  And seriously, comparing a 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue to a brand new Lexus.

   Quadzilla,   You know your engine hp

I think that you will find that in normal driving there wont be much performance difference and on a slalom track the lighter Intrigue  would be quicker .

 Same sized  3.5 DOHC V6 engine, 4 doors and a trunk, climate control, ps,   pw , automatic lights, performance-oriented suspension, cruise control, high end stereo, 4 wheel disc brakes, traction control, Electric Power Steering  Rack & Pinion.   

GS 350 RWD is estimated to consume 9.1 L/100 km combined

Mine is averaging 9.3 in mostly Winter driving

http://www.fuelly.com/driver/c2100/intrigue

 And the real kicker is less expensive insurance and a whole lot less money outlay

Just because it's new its not necessarily  $45.000 .00 better

http://www.flickr.com/photos/d70w7/1599240746/

[D70]

My 3.5L has a few less hp, a few less gadgets, but does well on the autocross track and gets great economy on the highway for a lot less money

Doesn't your car have 215hp which would be 91hp less which is more than a few less?  And seriously, comparing a 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue to a brand new Lexus.

Seriously? It's an Intrigue he's trying to pass off as some kind of GS equivalent?

Jaeger

A lot closer than a Fit or Sonata

[aaronk]

A comparison of a used Intrigue to a brand-new 2013 Lexus is irrelevant to most consumers. While it could be done for the sake of interest, you're not likely to sway anyone of out a Lexus showroom by showing them a 12 year old used car from a now-defunct car company.

The 2013 equivalent of an Intrigue in the GM stable would be what, a Buick LaCrosse maybe? That's about $45K new for one equipped at a similar level as the Lexus. With the GS starting at $52, that's a small increase to pay for not only a premium brand but a car that is arguably better in most regards than the aforementioned LaCrosse. The GS has one of the best-looking interiors I've seen at any price, and I would be willing to bet you could feel a tighter build quality in the Lexus. Plus you get better service, better performance, etc. etc. etc.

As for the Intrigue, well...It has a 3.5L V6 and that's where the similarities stop   
I'm sure you love your Oldsmobile and I respect that.

[aaronk]

It can't be any crazier than comparing a 1984 Ferrari 308 GTSi to a 2007 Kia Sedona!

http://www.insideline.com/ferrari/308/1984/comparison-test-1984-ferrari-308-gtsi-vs-2007-kia-sedona-ex.html

[Jaeger]

A comparison of a used Intrigue to a brand-new 2013 Lexus is irrelevant to most consumers. While it could be done for the sake of interest, you're not likely to sway anyone of out a Lexus showroom by showing them a 12 year old used car from a now-defunct car company.

Well that is what he was doing, and yes, it is irrelevant.  And the comparison borders on the laughable, quite apart from whatever the merits of the Intrigue might be.

A lot closer than a Fit or Sonata

I never claimed either to be comparable to the GS.  You, on the other hand....

Curious - do you make every post a shill for your flickr account, or just nearly every post?

Jaeger

[lebowski]

I for one welcome the comparison to the Olds Intrigue. It's totally logical. In the same vein, I'm cross-shopping a Lotus Elise and the Nissan Murano convertible. They're both convertibles sold in small numbers - so it's pretty much an apples/apples comparison. It'll come down to whichever one does better in the parking lot autocross (stand by for flickr corroboration…) 

BTW I think Lexus pretty much nailed it with the new GS. I'm a little lukewarm on the -errr- "expressive" grille, but that interior looks beautiful. It reminds me of the interior of a Mercedes SLS or the new SL - neither a bad benchmark.