Test Drive with Kyle Ashby

2013 Lexus GS450h

Dress for success. It’s my belief that if you want to be successful, you need to look successful and dress the part. Lexus has mastered this concept as it pertains to a successful looking car with the sleek and sporty exterior design packed with comfort, safety and luxury throughout the interior of the GS450h. Sitting in the Lexus luxury package with flaxen leather seats and matte bamboo trim while being wrapped in obsidian black as the exterior paint color is Lexus’ way of dressing for success, in my opinion.

First off, don’t assume the Lexus hybrid 3.5 liter four cam 24 valve V-6 engine averaging 34 MPGs has sacrificed any power by offering fuel efficiency. With 338 total system horsepower, it is the most powerful and the most fuel efficient GS within the Lexus family. Sitting in the 18-way power front heated and cooled leather seats with 4 way lumbar, side bolsters, articulating backrest, extendable lower leg cushions and butterfly headrests to hold you in place when the power is unleashed, provides ultimate comfort. Switching into Sport Plus driving mode and utilizing the manual paddle shifters from the heated telescoping leather wrapped steering wheel provides a digital tachometer and stiffens the adaptive variable suspension (AVS) for optimum performance, quick shifting and tight cornering.

Like a lot of families this time of year, we have two kids participating in youth soccer. This past weekend was no different other than the intermittent showers and mid forty temperatures. It was too easy for my wife and I to keep warm and dry by staying inside the vehicle with our soft leather heated seats turned on high and activating the automatic rain sensing windshield wipers to clearly see our son running around on the soccer field. After the games were over, the kids were able to warm up in their own rear, soft leather heated seats controlled from a rear center console. A couple other features in the rear seat are the sun shades in the rear passenger windows, the automatic push button sun shade in the rear window and the center console that controls a 3rd climate controlled zone and some radio control adjustments.

The Mark Levinson premium surround sound audio system with 17 speaker Green Edge technology was a quality sound and entertaining experience. All music from SiriusXM or other satellite radio solutions through the phone via Bluetooth made for an excellent listening experience. The HDD Navigation 12.3 inch high resolution split screen multimedia display with Lexus Enform enables the driver to access destinations, weather, fuel prices, stocks, sports news, fuel consumption information and much more all from a conveniently located mouse on the center console.

The Lexus GS450h is very professional looking and has the top of the line electronics, fuel consumption technology and ultimate luxury with a focus on all around safety and sport.

You don’t need to wear a suit and tie to feel successful, just drive a Lexus.

Visit a Lexus dealer and ask them about a similar driving experience.

Base MSRP: $58,950
Price as Driven: $69,754