2013 Lexus GS Hybrid Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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A sporty hybrid luxury car? Lexus seems to think it has it all with the unveiling of its 2013 GS 450h. Engineers went back to the drawing boards to deliver a luxury sedan with some oomf—without too much ouch at the pump. It replaces its V8 GS with this vehicle.
Inside and outside, it looks very similar to the GS 350. (Truth be told, it doesn’t look all that different from last model year’s 450h, either.) While it may be generally pleasing overall, the lack of design innovation gives it less distinction than a luxury brand should have. (Lexus estimates less than 10 percent of GS sales will be this model, so one could say it's just being economical with energies spent.)
Under the hood is where the real difference can be seen. The 3.5-liter V6 has a refigured compression rate and has been changed to an Akinson Cycle of combustion, which keeps the intake valves open longer, helping to deliver a 30% increase in mileage over last year’s model. Since it is a hybrid, there are two electric motors on board, delivering power to the rear wheels via a continuously variable transmission (The 450h can run electric-only, gas-only or a combination of the two.) All in all, the combined power of the engines is 338 hp, slightly less than last year’s version. Toyota estimates 29 mpg city/34 highway—finally delivering some results for all that promised green technology.
And since it is going for a livelier ride, the 2013 GS 450h offers two sport modes. Sport or Sport Plus can be selected via a knob, and these modes tighten the chassis and steering and give the throttle a boost. (Two adjacent buttons control EV and Snow modes.) Although it’s slightly heavier than the regular GS, the 450h still does have plenty of gusto, especially in one of the Sport modes. But when it comes to braking, it still has that hybrid feel. Seventeen-inch wheels are standard, with 18-inchers optional.
Interior features will include 8-inch multimedia display, a bamboo-accented steering wheel, USB and Bluetooth, and a backup camera. A Premium Package adds rain-sensing wipers and heated/vented front seats. The Luxury Package includes Premium features as well as high-gloss wood, adaptive front lighting, an adaptive vehicle suspension and a premium leather interior. A massive 12.3-inch touchscreen controlled by a mouse-like device is optional, which can integrate with the apps on your smartphone.
This 4th generation hybrid GS is a move in the right direction: a luxury car with some kick that delivers hybrid mileage.
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2013 Lexus GS Hybrid Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Voice recognition audio system · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · 6 disc in-dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Surround audio: 5.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 12 · 134 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 13.1 · Front brake width: 1.2 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 12.2 · Rear brake width: 0.7 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with pass-thru · Door sill trim: scuff plate · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: cargo area carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: rear · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Easy entry: power steering wheel · Memorized settings: steering wheel · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 4 · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: phone · Storage: accessory hook · Sunshade: power rear window · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.27
Engine
Electric Motor Battery Type: nickel-metal hydride · Electric Motor HP: 180 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 134 · Electric Motor Torque: 203 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 286 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 6000 · Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 254 · Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 4600
Exterior Features
Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Front bumper color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
Hybrid
Starter Type: motor/generator
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 8 in.
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: auto delay off · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: reverse gear tilt
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Roof
Moonroof: power
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: rearview · Crumple zones: front · Parking sensors: front · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front and rear · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: perforated
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 13.2 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.8
Suspension
Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Telematics
Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: summer performance
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 9
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Laminated glass: infrared-reflecting · Power windows: with safety reverse