For those who appreciate value over branding, the 2015 Lexus GS 350 is poised to be an option in the segment of luxury sedans.
While the Lexus doesn’t have the history and pedigree of the European brands such as BMW and Mercedes, the car definitely brings more to the table at a cheaper price.
The Lexus GS 350 is a midsize luxury sedan with a retail price that starts at $49,540. Some of the standard equipment of the GS 350 includes 306hp V6 engine, 12 speaker audio, leather upholstery, 8 speed automatic transmission and 18 inch wheels. The car is also available in all-wheel drive system with a price tag of $51,790.
For comparison, the 2015 BMW 528i, a sedan with 240hp, starts at $50,945. The BMW has a turbocharged four cylinder engine, which is far away from the V6 of the Lexus. Another rival in the segment is the Mercedes E350, a luxury sedan with 302hp V6 engine and a price tag of $54,025.
Lexus is the luxury division of the Japanese manufacturer Toyota. The GS 350, aside from the standard version, is also available with the F Sport trim. The F Sport version has sportier look thanks to the lower air dam and pinched-in grille.
The drive of the Lexus GS 350 is extremely comfortable, as the company has installed a sport adaptive variable suspension. The new suspension system allows the passengers to adjust the damping of the shock absorber. The result is that the passengers do not feel road bumps even at speeds higher than normal. The F Sport trim moves smoothly through any conditions and is stable even when avoiding obstacles on the road. During test driving, the car keeps its composure even when the weight is shifted from one to another side.
Inside, the 2015 Lexus GS 350 feels like a luxury car, with padding on both front and rear seats. One downside is that only two adults can sit comfortably in the back of the car. The back seat legroom still is better than that of the competitors’ cars such as BMW and Mercedes. The GS 350 offers 36.3 inches of legroom in the backseat and 42.3 inches for the front seats. Technology plays a huge role in the car, as the dashboard is enriched with a 12.3 inches display in the middle. The display screen can fit up to three settings on the dashboard, such as climate control, map and audio.
Gasoline ratings include 19mpg in the city and 29mpg on the highway. The ratings are right on pair with other luxury sedan competitors with a V6 engine inside. One downside is that the GS 350 requires premium gasoline, which is a pricier than the regular gasoline.
