2013 Lexus GS

[nextcar]

With all the glowing reviews I've read about the new GS 350, I finally stopped by my local Lexus dealer for a test drive. The car had the same setup that car mags have been driving, ie with the F sport package. I drove it at the standard setting, and at the Sport + setting.

Advantages over the Genesis 4.6:
1. GS is smaller, lighter, and hence felt more nimble.
2. GS being a redesign, had a nicer interior. Loved the 12 inch LCD screen.
3. GS with the Sport + setting had slightly firmer suspension, and leaned less than the Genny during cornering.

Disadvantages:
1. GS engine did not sound as good as the 4.6 Tau. The Lexus salesman actually opened up the hood to show me this sound generator. It's basically a speaker that amplifies the intake noise. I was totally surprised that the noise was not very pleasant as it had a raspy quality to it. You don't hear it with light throttle application, but under moderate to heavy throttle, you definitely hear it. I much prefer the quiet growl of the Tau engine.

2. GS did not feel any faster than the Genny in regard to acceleration. I think official 0-60 times are about the same also.

3. GS cabin is not as roomy.

4. GS is priced $50+. With similar equipment levels, it's 15k-20k more than the Genny.

Other considerations:
Both cars seemed equally quiet in regard to road noise and wind noise.
The GS styling is not that weird in person.

In the end, I felt that I liked my V8 Genny more, mainly because of the wonderfully smooth motor. However, I wish the next generation Genesis will add the feature that Lexus attempted but failed miserably on:

add a sound generator or tube that goes into the cabin, but make sure that the sound is good (no raspy tones please), and that it's defeatable with a switch. I would be willing to pay $1000 just for that.

 

[Glashub]

"The F Sport package on the 2013 Lexus GS 350 includes an adjustable suspension that improves handling. The navigation system uses a 12.3-inch LCD, the current largest for a production car. Lexus' Enform system integrates Yelp, Bing search, Pandora, and other apps.

The 2013 Lexus GS 350 makes for a convincing high-tech cruiser. With the F Sport package, it has some real performance chops, although it falls short of a BMW M or Mercedes-Benz AMG."

http://reviews.cnet.com/sedan/2013-lexus-gs-350/4505-10865_7-35244009.html

"For $47,775, the 2013 Lexus GS 350 comes standard with features that include ten airbags; a rearview camera; leather upholstery; satellite radio and iPod connectivity; Bluetooth with audio streaming; and Remote Touch, the mouselike controller that runs secondary systems. An optional navigation system brings with it a huge 12.3-inch LCD display for split-screen output of all kinds of data, including that from Enform, the connectivity system that enables in-car mobile apps like Pandora and OpenTable and Facebook. Among the purer luxury options, there's an 835-watt Mark Levinson audio system; espresso wood trim; heated rear seats; and a wood-and-leather steering wheel."

http://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/lexus_gs-350_2013

 

[TJPark01]

The front end styling is atrocious. I know Lexus is trying to shed it's sleepy image but this new face just looks too weird.

 

[sandy]

The front end styling is atrocious. I know Lexus is trying to shed it's sleepy image but this new face just looks too weird.

I agree. A case of over-reach in trying to update a sleepy image. I think Acura showed similar lack of restraint when they introduced the "beak" front end styling. But, of course, styling is subjective.

 

[TJPark01]

I agree. A case of over-reach in trying to update a sleepy image. I think Acura showed similar lack of restraint when they introduced the "beak" front end styling. But, of course, styling is subjective.

Looks are subjective to a point. If the majority of people are telling you that the front end of the car looks like cr@p and your sales start to plummet you can only make the conclusion that people don't like the design. (Acura).

I have a hard time taking anyone who thinks this looks good, seriously...
The Lexus forums are already calling it "The snout".

2013 ES350

2012 GS350

2013 RX350

 

[2012blackgenny]

Japanese car design right now is pretty bad.

 

[TJPark01]

Japanese car design right now is pretty bad.

Overall yes. When you look at the super cars, the GTR and the LFA, just look like @ss from the outside. Then when you look at the Italians Ferrari, Lambo and Alfa, it reminds you that maybe less sake and more Chianti is needed. The Acura NSX looks promising, but there isn't a production one out yet so it still remains to be seen.
The design language isn't the problem at Lexus, it's the dull, neutered, isolated way the cars feel on the road. You don't fix a leaking roof by buying a new house.

 

[YEH]

The "Predator" grill on otherwise bland sheetmetal does not make for "exciting" or "more passionate" design as Toyota thinks (just turns bland into ugly).

Hyundai already tried the Predator grill on the Nuvis concept - thank goodness it didn't make its way onto production models altho some of their current grill designs aren't exactly great either.

 

[Mark63021]

OMG! Those comparative photos have me rolling! I would love to see the faces of the Lexus design team as they're shown those shots. They must be hatin' life about now. Snout indeed...

 

[rickfen]

In Canada, it seems to come down to a simple price equation re the "other cars". buy price for a Genesis v8 is around $47K. Price for a comparably equipped A6, Jag XF, BMW 5 series, Lexus GS350 is around $70K. Makes the decision easy)

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[nextcar]

In Canada, it seems to come down to a simple price equation re the "other cars". buy price for a Genesis v8 is around $47K. Price for a comparably equipped A6, Jag XF, BMW 5 series, Lexus GS350 is around $70K. Makes the decision easy)

yes!
like someone else at this forum said before, the V8 Genesis is 90% as good as MB E550 or BMW 550, but $20k less.

 

[Ruissimo]

yes!
like someone else at this forum said before, the V8 Genesis is 90% as good as MB E550 or BMW 550, but $20k less.

Couldn't be truer. Went to a drive-in car show (classics). Parked across the street at a grocery store parking lot. Arrived early, and got a spot right in the front, next to an E550.

Stood there for a good hour, and my car got 10x more "gawks" than the Merc next to it. And I think that is a pretty nice-looking car.

Problem is... they're a dime a dozen. Well... you know the saying. The actual cost was probably $20 grand more AT LEAST.

 

[Mark_888]

Looks are subjective to a point. If the majority of people are telling you that the front end of the car looks like cr@p and your sales start to plummet you can only make the conclusion that people don't like the design. (Acura).

I have a hard time taking anyone who thinks this looks good, seriously...
The Lexus forums are already calling it "The snout".

I don't think the new GS looks good, but the other new 2013 Lexus models look even worse. I would issue an immediate sell on Toyota stock. This could give Hyundai the chance the have been looking for to make a real dent in the Luxury market, assuming they don't screw up their own 2014 Genesis design in a similar manner as Lexus and Acura.

 

[YEH]

Looks are subjective to a point. If the majority of people are telling you that the front end of the car looks like cr@p and your sales start to plummet you can only make the conclusion that people don't like the design. (Acura).

I have a hard time taking anyone who thinks this looks good, seriously...
The Lexus forums are already calling it "The snout".

The most common reference that I have seen is the "Predator face/grill."

The new Lexus corporate grill design is just as bad and in some cases worse than the Acura "beak."

Even Akio Toyoda was against the grill design and had to be talked into it.

But of course, the hard-core Toyota/Lexus fanboys are loving it.

I don't think the new GS looks good, but the other new 2013 Lexus models look even worse. I would issue an immediate sell on Toyota stock. This could give Hyundai the chance the have been looking for to make a real dent in the Luxury market, assuming they don't screw up their own 2014 Genesis design in a similar manner as Lexus and Acura.

Based on sales stats of the Lexus GS and Infiniti M, which began to plummet right around when the Genesis was launched, it would seem that Hyundai has been making a dent against the Japanese competition.

Even the LS460 has seen a sharp drop-off in sales for 2012 as sales of the Equus continue to increase.

And while things are still early, the new GS saw a drop in sales from 2,500 in March to 2k in April; we'll see if this tapering off already not so great sales of the new GS continues.

Despite the new GS getting lauded for its driving dynamics, sales of the new GS are projected to be around 21k (based on YTD sales figures) which would be significantly down from the 1st year of sale for the less critically well-received prior GS which did around 33.5k units.

 

[2012blackgenny]

I think the Predator grill isn't as horrible as Acura, and the rest of the car looks fine.

I also think the original Genesis had a poor grill, it was so bland and generic. It was just better than the atrocity at Acura.

Hyundai really made it's mark with the first on based on price and value vs design, it wasn't a bad design but it isn't as good as the other cars in the Hyundai/Kia Lineup.

 

[Ruissimo]

One thing I don't like about the current trend of Hyundai grills? That "crease" on the top:

There's really no point in having it!

This, for the win:

 

[foleydb]

And while things are still early, the new GS saw a drop in sales from 2,500 in March to 2k in April;

First, Love the "Predator" and "Cylon" side by side photos! LOL!

More importantly, where do the sales figures come from please? Are there figures for how many Genesis have been sold by month, or even year? Are there breakdown figures for different versions of the Genesis? I plan to buy my R-spec at the end of July, and would be interested in this information. Thanks.

 

[Mark_888]

First, Love the "Predator" and "Cylon" side by side photos! LOL!

More importantly, where do the sales figures come from please? Are there figures for how many Genesis have been sold by month, or even year? Are there breakdown figures for different versions of the Genesis? I plan to buy my R-spec at the end of July, and would be interested in this information. Thanks.

Not only does Hyundai not break out Genesis sales by version (3.8, 4.6, 5.0, R-Spec) they don't even break out sales of Sedan vs Coupe. They don't do it because they don't have to, and probably consider it proprietary information.

I don't think production of Japanese cars (made in Japan) fully recovered from the nuclear accident effects late last year (and maybe even early this year), so their 2012 YTD sales may be misleading. I don't know about the Japanese cars, but for Genesis I believe there is about a 60-90 day delay between manufacturing date and when they are put on sale at a dealer in the US (partly depending on dealer location).

 

[UmALum1990]

I used to drive a Lexus GS 300 (2006) It was a great car. But I do not know how much I like this new design. The interior is great, but the exterior leaves little to be desired; being a previous owner. It looks alomsot identical to its sister, the Camry, especially from the rear. I have seen 3 or 4 so far on the road, and I am not impressed, at leat not enough to want to purchase one. The front is especially disturbing!! Also, Lexus needs to upgrade that engine. It is smooth and quiet, but is falling being in HP vs. competitors, not to mention the IS 350 has the same engine!!

 

[YEH]

More importantly, where do the sales figures come from please? Are there figures for how many Genesis have been sold by month, or even year? Are there breakdown figures for different versions of the Genesis? I plan to buy my R-spec at the end of July, and would be interested in this information. Thanks.

Can look up the monthly sales report by doing a google search for prnewswire + hyundai + month + year, or can just go onto the linked site and use the sales stats finder at the upper right.

http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/

Not only does Hyundai not break out Genesis sales by version (3.8, 4.6, 5.0, R-Spec) they don't even break out sales of Sedan vs Coupe. They don't do it because they don't have to, and probably consider it proprietary information.

In the past, sedan sales outpaced the coupe in the US, but generally could use a 50/50 breakdown btwn sales of the sedan and coupe.

Hyundai Canada, however, does break down sales of the sedan and coupe.

I don't think production of Japanese cars (made in Japan) fully recovered from the nuclear accident effects late last year (and maybe even early this year), so their 2012 YTD sales may be misleading.

Don't think Japanese production is a limiting factor for reduced sales of certain Lexus models since the new GS is selling at a far greater pace than the last gen GS.