Best Car Reviews - 2013 Lexus GS 450h

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Introduction

The 2013 Lexus GS 450h is a rear-wheel-drive luxury hybrid sedan aimed at drivers who want strong V6-like performance without the fuel use normally associated with a large premium sport sedan. Completely redesigned for 2013, it combined Lexus refinement with a more assertive appearance, a 338-horsepower hybrid system and impressive official fuel-economy ratings for its class.

Design and Exterior Features

The 2013 redesign gave the GS 450h a far more dramatic presence than the previous generation. Its wide spindle grille, sharply swept headlamps, sculpted bonnet and short rear deck created a lower, more athletic profile, while the hybrid-specific badging kept the look relatively discreet. It remains a substantial four-door sedan, but its cab-rearward proportions and rear-wheel-drive stance make it look more purposeful than many conventional luxury hybrids of its era.

Distinctive Lexus spindle grille and LED daytime running lights.
Four-door luxury-sedan body with rear-wheel-drive proportions.
Hybrid-specific exterior badging and aerodynamic detailing.
Available 18-inch alloy wheels and optional adaptive lighting equipment.
More expressive, sport-oriented styling than the outgoing GS 450h.

Interior and Comfort

The cabin is one of the GS 450h’s strongest qualities. It uses soft-touch surfaces, leather upholstery, precise switchgear and thoughtful sound insulation to create a quiet, premium environment. The dashboard is driver-focused without feeling cramped, and the front seats provide good long-distance support. The hybrid battery was packaged more efficiently than in the prior model, helping preserve useful luggage space, although the rear seat and trunk are still less versatile than those of some non-hybrid rivals.

Leather-trimmed seating and high-quality cabin materials.
Comfortable, supportive front seats with available heating and ventilation.
Hybrid-specific bamboo trim and steering-wheel accents on many cars.
Dual-zone climate control and keyless entry with push-button start.
Quiet cabin character, especially in low-speed electric operation.

Performance and Handling

The GS 450h pairs a 3.5-liter Atkinson-cycle V6 with Lexus Hybrid Drive and an electric motor, producing 338 total system horsepower. Power reaches the rear wheels through an electronically controlled hybrid transaxle with simulated stepped shifts rather than a conventional geared automatic. Lexus quoted 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds, making this hybrid genuinely quick. Official EPA estimates were 29 mpg city, 34 mpg highway and 31 mpg combined, equivalent to about 7.6 L/100 km combined. The supplied consumption figure of 9.6 L/100 km is therefore better treated as a real-world or dataset value, as driving conditions can produce higher use than the official combined result. There is no meaningful EV-only driving range to quote because this is a conventional full hybrid, not a plug-in hybrid.

3.5-liter V6 hybrid system with 338 total system horsepower.
Rear-wheel drive and electronically controlled hybrid transmission.
Lexus-quoted 0-60 mph time of 5.6 seconds.
Official EPA combined economy of 31 mpg, or about 7.6 L/100 km.
Selectable Eco, Normal, Sport S and EV-oriented driving modes.

Technology and Connectivity

For 2013, the GS 450h was well equipped with premium-era technology, although its interfaces now feel dated beside modern touchscreen systems. Available navigation brought a large 12.3-inch display and Lexus Remote Touch controller, while Bluetooth, USB connectivity, satellite radio capability and Lexus Enform services were offered. Original Enform app and subscription functions should be checked carefully on a used car, as connected-service availability can change over time.

Available 12.3-inch navigation and multimedia display.
Lexus Remote Touch controller with haptic feedback.
Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, plus USB input.
Available Mark Levinson 17-speaker premium surround-sound system.
Originally available Lexus Enform, Safety Connect and app-based services.

Safety Features

Standard safety equipment included stability and traction control, antilock brakes, a rear-view camera, front knee airbags, front-seat side airbags and full-length side-curtain airbags. Available equipment included blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning and a pre-collision system with driver-attention monitoring. The 2013 Lexus GS earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick designation, with Good ratings in the original moderate-overlap front, side, roof-strength and head-restraint tests. These IIHS ratings apply to the GS model range; buyers should confirm the exact equipment fitted to an individual GS 450h.

Standard stability control, traction control and antilock brakes.
Front, side, knee and side-curtain airbag coverage.
Standard rear-view camera.
Available blind-spot monitoring and lane-departure warning.
Available pre-collision system earned an IIHS Advanced front-crash-prevention rating.

Pricing and Variants

In the United States, the 2013 Lexus GS 450h had a base MSRP of $58,950, excluding the then-applicable $875 delivery, processing and handling fee. Rather than a broad trim ladder, it was sold as a single, generously equipped GS 450h model with option packages and standalone upgrades such as navigation, premium audio, advanced safety equipment and luxury-focused comfort features. It competed with cars such as the BMW ActiveHybrid 5, Infiniti M35h, Audi A6 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class; the Lexus stood out for its standard power, rear-wheel-drive layout and fuel economy, though it was less overtly sporty than some German alternatives.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Strong 338-horsepower hybrid performance.
Official fuel economy is excellent for a quick luxury sedan.
Elegant, quiet and well-finished interior.
Rear-wheel-drive balance and composed highway manners.
Strong original safety credentials and available driver-assistance features.

Cons

Hybrid-system repairs can be expensive when a high-mileage car needs major work.
Infotainment controls and connected features feel dated today.
Rear-seat space is adequate rather than class-leading.
Premium gasoline and luxury-grade tyres, brakes and suspension parts increase running costs.
Used examples can be difficult to compare because equipment levels vary widely.

Maintenance and Common Issues

A model-specific, independently verified annual maintenance average is not consistently published for the 2013 GS 450h, so a precise yearly figure should not be assumed. Routine servicing is generally predictable, but a pre-purchase inspection by a Lexus or hybrid-qualified technician is especially important because age and mileage can turn rare hybrid or electronic faults into costly repairs. Common owner-reported areas to inspect include the following.

Age-related degradation of the high-voltage hybrid battery and its cooling system.
Weak or failing 12-volt auxiliary battery, which can trigger warning messages or no-start conditions.
Brake-system concerns, including actuator or regenerative-braking feel complaints.
Water-pump, cooling-system or minor oil-leak concerns on higher-mileage examples.
Navigation, display, camera, Bluetooth or other electronic-feature faults.

Rating

Overall rating: 8.4/10. Design: 8.5/10. Comfort: 9.0/10. Performance: 8.8/10. Technology: 7.5/10. Safety: 8.5/10. The GS 450h remains appealing because it delivers effortless acceleration and genuine luxury while using substantially less fuel than many similarly quick premium sedans.

User Reviews and Feedback

Owner feedback commonly portrays the 2013 Lexus GS 450h as an unusually complete long-distance car: quiet and comfortable in daily use, yet much faster than its hybrid badge suggests. Enthusiasm is generally strongest among buyers who value smoothness, reliability history and discreet performance more than aggressive track manners. As with any older luxury hybrid, buyers also advise checking service records and hybrid-system condition before purchase.

Owners often praise the smooth, immediate hybrid power delivery.
Cabin quietness and seat comfort receive consistently positive attention.
Many appreciate the balance of fuel economy and strong acceleration.
Some find the Remote Touch interface less intuitive than newer systems.
High-mileage buyers frequently emphasize inspection of the hybrid battery and electronics.

Best Cars in This Category

2013 BMW ActiveHybrid 5
2013 Infiniti M35h
2013 Audi A6 3.0T
2013 Mercedes-Benz E 400 Hybrid
2013 Cadillac CTS

Summary

The 2013 Lexus GS 450h is best suited to drivers seeking a refined, quick and efficient premium sedan with rear-wheel-drive character. Its hybrid system offers more performance than its calm demeanor suggests, while the redesigned cabin and exterior helped make this generation far more desirable than its predecessor. A well-maintained example can represent excellent used-luxury value, provided its hybrid hardware, brakes, cooling system and electronic equipment receive a thorough inspection before purchase.