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Lexus GS 300h car review – 13% company car tax in a luxury saloon

It looks just like the high-powered GS 450h, but with rather less horses and even less tax to pay.
676_Lexus_GS300h_cornering

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30 December 2013

Lexus_GS300h
Looks exactly like the GS 450h, but rather more business friendly under the bonnet

Lexus GS 300h SE E-CVT

What is it?

If you’re familiar with the Lexus GS 450h, launched 18 months ago, you will know exactly what it looks like because visually both cars are identical.

The difference is the rear-wheel-drive GS 300h has the latest Lexus Hybrid Drive power train – the same one that’s used in the Lexus IS 300h – which is good news for company car drivers because it takes CO2 levels for a GS to a new low of 109g/km.

 

Lexus_GS300h
The company car tax rate is 13% bringing serious savings if you choose to run one as a company car

What’s hot?

  • A class leading-benefit-in-kind rate of 13 per cent thanks to the low CO2 emissions. In fact Lexus claims that over three years the Lexus GS 300h could save company car drivers more than £1400 in benefit-in-kind company car tax compared with premium market hybrid rivals and up to £4000 over the same period compared to diesel-powered competitors.
  • The quiet interior – even by Lexus standards – thanks to the second generation hybrid unit, combined with a seamless CVT gearbox, which cocoons you from the outside world.
    Lexus_GS300h
    Very sleak inside, and with Lexus Hotspot everyone gets a high speed WiFi connection. You’ll need to up the trim level to get leather and some of the other goodies though
  •  Impressive road holding and limousine-like ride.
  • A realistic price for a GS with entry level SE models from £31,495. That’s not much more than the smaller Lexus hybrid, the IS 300h. And while on the subject of the value for money the road tax is zero for the first year and just £10 in subsequent years for SE models and £30 for all other spec levels.
  • High level of equipment, even on the SE, which comes with 10 airbags, a 12-speaker sound system, electrically adjustable front seats and xenon headlights.
  • Lexus Hotspot. This is a £350 optional extra but if you go for it everyone on board will have an independent high-speed WiFi connection when the car is switched on.
  • Rear Cross Traffic Alert, an upgraded safety system which uses radar technology to warn drivers of any cars approaching from either side when reversing out of a parking space. It’s a standard feature on three out of the four spec levels and optional on the SE.

 

What’s not

  • Well not a lot really, although I would like to have seen a bit more instant response on kickdown, if only when in Sport mode.
  • Opting for anything other than the SE pushed up the CO2 emissions – because of the increase in wheel size – although only to 113g/km, with the resultant jump in VED bands from B to C.
  • If you want leather seats with front seat heating and ventilation and the Lexus Premier Navigation system as standard, which most Lexus drivers would, you will have to step up a level to Luxury – at an additional £6000.

 

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Matt Morton

Matt Morton

Matt Morton is an automotive content writer for Business Car Manager

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