2013 Lexus 450h Sedan

Reviewed by Susan Frissell

OMG (in today’s texting vernacular) this new Lexus 450h is a dreamboat of a car. Not that the Lexus isn’t known for its cushy ride, bucket list of amenities and a sound system that is one of the best in the industry. This writer practically had to be pried out of the 350h, wanting only to cruise around town and delight in the Sirius/XM Satellite radio through Dolby sound.

The redesigned, re-engineered 2013 Lexus 450h is a beautiful sedan, and worth all $68,000 dollars of it. Not something automotive journalists say often-if at all-that a new vehicle is ‘worth’ what the manufacturer asks for it. A more-than-comfortable, quiet riding sedan, the 450h is a vehicle one could drive for years. As high-tech as the 350h is, it isn’t difficult to learn to operate.

Our Lexus GS 450h sedan came equipped with the usual good stuff, including wood trim. This bold and elegantly re-designed sedan is a combination of styling and the latest technology. Other manufacturers would be hard-pressed to match what Lexus offers, although many try. It’s no secret that the Lexus brand is today’s premier benchmark for other contenders in the industry. As bland as their models have been (design-wise), the 2013 GS450 takes a bold leap with the design of their new front grille.

This truly modern luxury car is powered by a new, direct-injected 3.5-liter V6 engine, with 306 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque to provide improved fuel economy and performance. Equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, the 2013 GS450h is available with either rear-wheel or all-wheel drive.

The GS 450h seats up to five passengers, with generous interior space. Standard features on the 350h include so many goodies it would take a page to list them all. Among them, the obvious: Power moonroof, keyless entry with push-button start, dual front airbags/front-rear side-mounted side impact airbags, driver’s and front passenger front knee airbags, Supplemental Restraint System , 3-point safety  belts for all seating positions, whiplash lessening front seats, Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management w/vehicle stability control, ABS, brake assist and traction control, rain-sensing automatic wipers/backup monitor, Bi-Xenon headlamps (HID),and Safety Connect Automatic Collision Notification. What else would one expect?

This vehicle comes fully equipped, so much so, one would be hard-pressed to move into any other sedan after spending any amount of time in the GS450h. There is little to compare, although each manufacturer has its loyal customers, and many hard-core Audi and BMW owners would contest what Lexus offers. Obviously, there are those sport-suspension die-hards who prefer a rougher ride. Maybe in days past. This writer wants to ride in comfort.

As alluded to above, the Lexus sound system in the GS450h is top-of-the-line and includes the Lexus Premium Audio System, a navigation system with a new 12.3-inch multimedia display, iTunes, tagging, DVD/CD Player, Bluetooth Technology, USB Audio Plug, SiriuusXM Satellite  Radio with remote  Touch, Advance Voice Recognition, and HD. Sound quality is among the best in the industry, and although as high-tech as they come, the system’s controls are easily learned and operated.

Options on our 450h included Lane Keep Assist & departure Warning System ($500); Luxury Package (heated seats, 18-inch Split-Nine-Spoke Alloy wheelsw/painted silver finish and all-season tires, Bi-LED  headlamp with adaptive  front lighting system (AFS), heated leather interior trim, three-zone automatic climate control, 18-way power front seats w/power adjust extendable lower cushions and butterfly headrests, Lexus Memory  System for front-passenger  seat, rear-door  manual sunshades, heated rear seats, $5,645); Pre-collision System (brake, driver, Attn monitor w/closed-eye detection, $2000); cargo net, $64; and trunk mat,$105.

Other standard features on the 450h sedan include parking assist, adaptive variable suspension, adaptive front lighting system, and a pre-collision system with dynamic radar cruise control. The controls are intuitive, which isn’t always the case in other high-end vehicles (BMW comes to mind). We enjoyed using the control that operates the audio system. It aids the driver in getting just where he/she wants to be when navigating radio options. By comparison, this writer was in a Mitsubishi product following her week in the 350h and became frustrated by how hard the Mitsu audio system operates.

All-new for 2013, the Lexus GS 350h is everything an auto-lover could want. We’ve no doubt it will fly off the showroom floor.

SPECS

MSRP: $58,950; total vehicle price $68,139; destination $875

Engine:  3.5-Liter Four Cam 24-valve V8

Transmission: six-speed automatic with OD, RWD

5-passenger sedan

Wheelbase: 112.2 in.

Width: 72.4 in.

Height: 57.3 in.

Curb weight: 3,705 lbs.

Gross weight: 4,830 lbs.

Length: 190.7 in.

Tires: 225/50R17

Wheels: 17” 9-spoke alloy

EPA Fuel Economy: 29/34 mpg.

Pricing: $47,250-$49,800

Warranty: 4 yr./50,000-mile basic; 5 yr./70,000-mile powertrain; 5 yr./unlimited corrosion perforation; 5 yr./100,000-mile hybrid battery component