Consumer Reviews Summary
4 of 5 (80%) customers said they would recommend this vehicle to a friend.
2013 Lexus GS 350 Overview
After a yearlong hiatus, the 2013 Lexus GS 350 midsize luxury sedan returns with a new look and a welcome dose of aggression that distinguishes it not only from previous generations of the GS, but the rest of Lexus’s lineup as well.
With the new GS-series, Lexus is trying to make a break from its reputation for blandness. It’s generally accepted that Lexus makes good cars that are comfortable and reliable, but not necessarily edgy or fun to drive. The 2013 GS 350’s styling tries to rectify this almost singlehandedly – simply put it’s the most aggressive looking Lexus ever made, short of the LFA supercar.
The front grille has a pinched look to it, shared with the CT 200h and the new LX, and is flanked by LED daytime running lamps and xenon headlights, both of which come standard. Once you move past the front, things get decidedly more tame, everything rearwards of the B-pillar is fairly nondescript. The rear of the GS 350 wraps things up with L-shaped LED taillights and a unique pair of almost trapezoidal tail pipes that are integrated into the rear bumper.
Under the hood, Lexus has dropped the V-8 option for the latest generation of the GS and the only engine option is now a 306-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 that is not slouch. This engine outputs 277 pounds-feet of torque and is mated to a six-speed automatic that shifts faster and also improves fuel economy. EPA estimates rank the GS 350 at 19 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway with rear-wheel drive, while opting for all-wheel drive knocks the highway number down to 26 mpg.
The GS 350 also has a few new tricks up its sleeve when it comes to its suspension, including a redesigned multilink setup in the rear, and an optional adaptive suspension which includes four driving modes that range from Eco to Sport S+. There is also an optional F-Sport package, which includes the adaptive suspension, as well as larger wheels (19-inch alloys), larger brake rotors, and a variable gear ratio steering system.
Inside, the GS 350 offers a respite from the edginess found outside the cabin, with plenty of the comfort and refinement that you’d expect from a Lexus. The instrument panel features a simple, attractive black/white design and is flanked by an eight-inch LCD above the center console (a 12.3-inch LCD which shows navigation, music, and climate info is optional). Push button start, dual-zone automatic climate control, power steering column, Bluetooth® connectivity, HD Radio, and power front seats all come standard. Options include a navigation system, Lexus’s Enform connectivity suite, heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats.
Safety features on the 2013 GS 350 include a backup camera, electronic stability and traction control, and 10 airbags. There is also a plethora of safety technology available include a heads-up display, night vision, blind spot warning system, and a collision warning system.
The 2013 Lexus GS 350 is back from the wilderness, much improved and better looking than ever before. It is truly a have-your-cake-and-eat-it-too car, docile and calm when you're cruising, but snarling the instant you need a pinch of fun to brighten up your day.
2013 Lexus GS 350 Consumer Reviews
4 of 5 (80%) customers said they would recommend this vehicle to a friend.
Two Most Recent Reviews:
Best value in this class
Reviewed by enthusiast88 in DFW, Texas
April 26, 2012
After driving several cars in this class this is the car I went with.
A quick summery of the other cars I considered: BMW 535i – to get all the features I wanted in the car I was approaching $70,000 and I definitely wanted to be under $60k. It was a nice car though. Infinti M37 – the materials felt a class below, and the car(engine) was noisy. Equipped like the Lexus it cost over $2,000 more. Audi A6 – fast and cool but it didn’t have the same luxury feel as the Lexus, and the dealership really let me down. I didn’t consider the MB E-class because I really don’t like the way it looks and previous MB ownership experience. Cadillac CTS – not even in the same class; after sitting in it I didn’t bother to take it on a test drive.
I was thoroughly impressed with the Lexus dealership. They even have a technology specialist that’s kind of like a genius bar, that you can always get assistance through without going through service. It’s very convenient when you can’t get ahold of your salesman. And they actually know everything about the car (unlike many other dealers).
I got the Luxury package mainly for the 18-way adjustable seats for both driver and passenger. I wanted the F-Sport but the passenger only gets 10-way seats. The new interior styling is near perfect (I got the Flaxen semi-aniline leather, which is glove-soft). The remote touch for controlling things in that massive HD display takes a little time to get used to, but after a week I find it as easy as using a computer mouse. You don’t have to use it for making common adjustments like changing radio stations and adjusting climate settings as there are redundant buttons and knobs on the dash and steering wheel (nice). There are so many features on this vehicle that it would take way too long to review them all, but I can say that they all work extremely well. A couple of my favorites are the navigation system with Enform, Bluetooth Message Access Profile (reads my text messages and e-mail subject line), and the Mark Levinson stereo.
Driving the car is a dream. When cruising around it feels solid, soft, and quiet like the big LS, but turn the drive control knob all the way to sport plus (which changes the throttle mapping, steering, transmission, and shock rates) and this Lexus will hustle. I find it much more fun and capable than I will ever really push it. And it feels faster than the specs might indicate (and sounds glorious while under full throttle). I don’t know if it’s any faster than the BMW or Infiniti, but is sure feels and sounds a lot better (and that’s all I care about). 70 MPH really feels slow in this car.
It’s not a perfect car though. There are a couple areas that irritate me. One is the moon roof sunshade; it feels really cheap (like Toyota Corolla cheap) and is just out of character in this car. The other is that the trunk really needs to be slammed (there is no power option, or even assistance like on the previous GS. It is really annoying when your arms are full and you have to put everything on the ground just to close the trunk. The mirrors don’t power fold either, but that’s a minor annoyance.
All-in-all, this car suited me much better than the others in this class (and I got it all for under $60k). Plus I have the luxury of knowing that it is less likely than any other to give me reliability issues. I would write more, but I’m just itching to get back out on the road in my new GS 350.
I would recommend this vehicle to a friend: YES
2013 Lexus GS 350
Reviewed by Lexus convert in Charlotte, NC
April 16, 2012
Awesome car. I did some serious research and comparisons before I made the decision to get the GS 359. Compared to the 535, M37, Genesis and A6 I think this is the best value. Maintenance concerns took out the BMW and Audi. The infinity was not very refined, and the Hyundai felt cheap. THe GS gives the best balance of luxury and sport.
I would recommend this vehicle to a friend: YES
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