2013 Lexus GS

By Zack Spencer     April 6, 2012

The Scoop

The Lexus brand is very well respected by customers and the auto industry as builders of high quality well crafted vehicles. Over the last twenty plus years Lexus has developed a massive following in the United States making it the number one luxury brand, helped by defections from Cadillac and Lincoln owners who appreciate the ''traditional'' ultra-smooth and refined ride they deliver. In Canada, Lexus has a strong following but our more European tastes have helped brands like BMW and Mercedes dominate here. Lexus knows that their buyers on both sides of the border are older, so in order to help Lexus thrive in the long run they are turning their focus on more dynamic and engaging vehicles that the next generation of Lexus buyers are looking for. This new approach, they feel, will provide a nice balance of traditional qualities and performance attributes. The all-new Lexus GS is the first vehicle in their lineup to get this combination.

The Skin

With sales of mid-sized luxury sedans already up this year in Canada by over 10 percent, the arrival of this new GS is perfectly placed. Sold in three basic forms, the GS 350 rear wheel drive, then the all wheel drive and a hybrid called the GS 450h. All receive the new ''spindle'' grille that provides a pleasant and aggressive front design that will be featured on all upcoming Lexus products. The spindle design is a tip of the hat to Toyota's origins as fabric and loom makers, as spindles held the fabric before entering the loom. The most attractive package for performance-oriented buyers is the new F-Sport package seen here with tasty 19-inch alloy wheels, adaptive suspension, spoilers and interior updates. The overall design is expensive looking with an athletic design that is an improvement over the last GS.

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