2013 Lexus GS 350 Overview Change Vehicle

This 2013 Lexus GS 350 review explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2013 Lexus GS 350, and includes Lexus GS 350 safety, reliability, and fuel economy ratings.

Lexus almost dropped the GS from its lineup, because the mid-luxury sport sedan hadn’t convinced many BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class buyers to consider the fruits of the company’s relentless pursuit of perfection. But the GS has been granted a reprieve, and the new 2013 GS 350 is aimed straight at the BMW 535i and Mercedes E350, not mention the Audi A6 3.0T, Infiniti M37, and others.

With the redesigned 2013 GS 350, Lexus aims to improve driving dynamics and increase cabin comfort in a more emotionally styled package stuffed with advanced technology. The new GS sets the tone for the next generation of Lexus products, what it hopes will be a lineup of expressively designed, aerodynamic, and innovative models that are also enjoyable to drive.

Though the 2013 Lexus GS 350 is well equipped at its base price, there are numerous option packages and extra-cost features that can be added to this model. Before we get to the ways to spend even more money, let’s talk about the standard equipment list.

As is expected, the Lexus GS 350 is equipped with the types of features commonly found on a mid-size luxury sedan. Highlights include a set of 17-inch alloy wheels, leather, genuine wood trim, ambient cabin lighting, a power tilt/telescopic steering wheel, and 10-way power front seats with memory for the driver’s settings. A 12-speaker surround sound audio system is standard, and includes HD Radio, satellite radio, an auxiliary audio input jack, an iPod/USB connection, DVD audio/video playback, iTunes song tagging, and a Gracenotes media management database. Bluetooth wireless connectivity supports music streaming and SMS text-to-speech capabilities, and the GS is equipped with Safety Connect telematics service with Automatic Crash Notification. Beyond these features, the GS 350 is equipped with SmartAccess keyless access and push-button ignition, a power moonroof, and an innovative S-Flow automatic climate control system that uses occupant detection technology to direct airflow to locations where people are actually sitting.

Several option packages are available for the 2013 Lexus GS 350. The Premium Package includes rain-sensing wipers, heated and ventilated front seats, and a power rear sunshade, while the Cold Weather Package provides a heated steering wheel, a wiper deicer, water-repellant front windows, headlight washers, and a heavy-duty heater.

To really luxe the joint up, get the spendy Luxury Package. It outfits the GS 350 with upgraded semi-aniline leather, 18-way power front seats with butterfly headrests and memory for the front passenger’s settings, high-gloss espresso wood, a wood-and-leather steering wheel, rear climate and audio controls, manual rear side window sunshades, and 18-inch wheels. The Luxury Package also includes an Adaptive Variable Suspension and an Adaptive Front Lighting System.

People who like to drive will want the F Sport Package. This is more than just a cosmetic upgrade, as it includes an Adaptive Variable Suspension with firmer tuning, variable gear-ratio electric steering, bigger front brakes with high-friction brake pads, and sport seats with 16-way power adjustment. These hardware upgrades ride on 19-inch staggered width wheels wearing summer performance tires with rear-wheel drive or all-season performance tires with all-wheel drive. Cosmetically, the GS F Sport is upgraded with more aggressive front and rear styling, mesh grille inserts, a rear lip spoiler, aluminum cabin trim, perforated leather seats, and a black headliner. Cabernet Red leather is available, and exclusive to the F Sport model.

If you select the F Sport Package, the GS 350 can also be upgraded with a Lexus Dynamic Handling (LDH) system with Dynamic Rear Steering (DRS). By monitoring vehicle speed, driver inputs, and steering direction, LDH with DRS can automatically optimize steering angle to improve grip, agility, and turn-in response for greater overall vehicle control.

The GS 350’s optional navigation system adds a 12.3-inch high-resolution, split-screen multimedia display. Lexus Enform telematics includes Bing local search, allows access to Internet radio such as Pandora, and facilitates use of voice-enabled applications for Facebook, Yelp, OpenTable, and others. Real-time traffic, weather, stock reports, and sports news is also available on the GS with navigation.

Another upgrade you might want to consider, especially if you’re an audiophile, is the 835-watt Mark Levinson sound system with 7.1 Surround Sound, 17 speakers, D Digital amplifier, and Green Edge speaker technology. Furthermore, the GS 350 is offered with a heads up display, heated rear seats, Intuitive Park Assist, Lane Keep Assist, Lane Departure Warning, a Night Vision System, and a Pre-Collision System with Driver’s Eyes Monitoring and Adaptive Cruise Control.

In the 2013 Lexus GS 350, a 3.5-liter V6 engine makes 306 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed sequential-shift automatic transmission with paddle shifters is standard, delivering the power to the GS 350’s rear wheels. An all-wheel-drive system is optional.

The GS 350’s base curb weight is 3,795 pounds, which helps the GS 350 accelerate to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds and achieve a top speed of 142 mph (6.0 seconds and 131 mph, respectively, for the GS 350 AWD). Yet Lexus anticipates fuel economy ratings of 19 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway (19-city/26-highway for the GS 350 AWD). Note that the GS 350 requires premium fuel.

The 2013 Lexus GS comes standard with Drive Mode Select, which provides Normal, Eco, Sport S, Sport S+, and Snow settings. Eco mode adjusts throttle response and the climate control system to maximize fuel economy, and changes gauge lighting to blue. Sport S mode recalibrates the throttle and shift mapping for more aggressive acceleration and response, and changes gauge lighting to red. Sport S+ is available only with the Luxury and F Sport Packages, and modifies the adaptive variable suspension, steering, and stability control settings to provide greater handling limits. Snow mode helps the GS gain and maintain traction in the slippery stuff.

Speaking of gaining and maintaining traction, the GS 350’s optional AWD features a 50/50 front-to-rear power split under normal operating conditions. Power delivery varies up to a 30/70 front-to-rear split depending on driving conditions.

As is typical of a Lexus, the redesigned GS 350 is loaded with safety features. The basic safety package includes four-wheel vented-disc antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management with traction and stability control, and 10 airbags including knee airbags for the front seat occupants and rear seat side-impact airbags. New Whiplash Injury Lessening (WIL) front seats also debut for 2013, and the GS 350 includes one free year of Safety Connect telematics service with Automatic Crash Notification and an Emergency Assist Button.

An extensive menu of safety-related options can also be consulted when buying a new GS. A Night Vision System, Blind Spot Monitoring, and Lane Departure Warning are available, along with Lane Keep Assist that provides automatic assistance in maintaining a proper heading.

The GS is also available with Dynamic Radar Cruise Control with a Pre-Collision System (PCS) that emits audible and visual warnings if a collision is about to occur. In the new GS, the PCS employs infrared camera technology to monitor the driver’s eyes and, if the driver is not paying attention when a potential collision is about to occur, the PCS emits its warnings earlier than it might otherwise. If the driver takes no action in response to the warnings, the PCS will automatically brake before impact to reduce the severity of injury.

As this review is initially written, there are no safety-related ratings available from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Reliability predictions are also in a holding pattern, however, we’ll note that consumers have reported steadily eroding dependability for this model, starting in 2006 when the previous-generation GS arrived. Certainly, Lexus hopes this redesigned GS 350 will reverse that trend.

The GS 350’s designers drew upon the Lexus LFA supercar for inspiration, and the new GS signals the direction all future Lexus models will take. In particular, the GS’s spindle-style grille will become a defining Lexus characteristic.

New colors include Riviera Red, Meteor Blue, and Liquid Platinum. Riviera Red paint includes embedded glass flakes to generate additional radiance, while Liquid Platinum GS models employ an additional metallic texture to the paint to give it depth and a highly polished appearance.

When the GS 350’s transmission is in Sport mode, it automatically blips the throttle to match revs when downshifting.

Measuring 14.3 cubic-feet of volume, the new GS 350’s trunk is 25 percent larger than before – able to carry up to four golf bags, according to Lexus. Also, the GS 350’s rear seat provides more head, leg, knee, and foot room than the outgoing model.

Lexus says its application of Green Edge speakers to the GS 350 is a “luxury first.” Evidently, Lexus does not consider the Chrysler 300 to be a luxury car.

The 2013 Lexus GS 350’s front-to-rear weight distribution is 53/47 (54/46 with AWD).

The 2013 Lexus GS 350’s drag coefficient is just 0.26. That’s impressively low.

Approach the new GS 350 F Sport from the front and you’ll immediately notice the spindle grille. It’s bold. It’s big. It means business. Yet even if you approach the base model from the side, you’ll still encounter a Lexus that looks ready for a windy road with an engine and tuning that should regularly bring smiles to driver’s faces.

Our first chance to drive the GS 350 wasn’t on a winding road but instead at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway where we were able to directly compare the Lexus GS 350 to the Mercedes-Benz E350 and the BMW 535i. If Lexus expects to sell a bunch of GS 350 models, this luxury performance sedan has to compare favorably to these worthy and leading competitors.

The good news for Lexus is that the GS 350’s track performance is much better than one of those luxury leaders and equal to the other. The loser in the equation is the Mercedes-Benz E350. Compared to the Beemer and Lexus, the Mercedes-Benz feels loose and sloppy as you aggressively carve corners. One fellow driver said the Mercedes-Benz made him feel seasick. The Benz is definitely better on city streets than racetracks.

What was most surprising to many drivers who performed the three-way track test is how well the Lexus GS 350 compares to the BMW 5 Series. We drove both cars multiple times around the course that offered quick corrections around cones followed by sweeping turns and sudden stops. The GS 350’s steering was tight and precise with good amounts of feedback. The suspension solid. The available rear-wheel steering improved performance and feel. The brakes were excellent. While BMW buyers have long looked down on the GS 350, they may need to reconsider their opinions after a little seat time in this year’s model.

The interior of the GS 350 is pure Lexus luxury. Soft, stitched leather on the seats. Wood paneling on the dash and center console. The seats are simply spectacular, especially if you’re someone who can never quite find the right driving position in most cars. That’s because the GS 350 offers 10 adjustments standard and 18 if you spring for upgrades that let you turn the driver’s seat into one of the most comfortable places we’ve rested our bodies that wasn’t a luxury hotel bed.

We liked the 12.3-inch informational screen that includes the navigation and audio display. It looks great and works well. In fact, the entire package is a winner—inside and out.

Lexus has some serious work to do in trying to convince mid-luxury sedan buyers to choose the redesigned GS 350 over a number of competitors. However, upon initial inspection, it appears that the GS finally offers the right combination of design, performance, technology, luxury, and practicality that makes other luxury sedans in the segment more popular.

By Christian Wardlaw and Michael Waterman