Rants and Raves
JARED GALL
You could argue that Lexus's GS is the original four-door coupe. While the Mercedes CLS gets all the credit for this trend, the GS's long, sloping roofline and truncated rear end are inarguably coupe design cues. This is something other than the usual three-box sedan design; if not the originator of the four-door coupe, then certainly a stepping stone in the evolution of the aesthetic.
Having said that, I think the CLS is far and away the better example of the style. The chunky shape of the C-pillar and the tiny trunklid on the Lexus make it look fat and squatty. Its long nose, bulky body, and short tail remind me of a turtle.
TOM ADAMS
This Lexus was more fun inside than out. I didn't care much for the body styling; it was a bit too soft for such an aggressive performer. But inside was much better. It's roomy, with comfortable seats, good controls (except those hidden behind drop-down doors), and an excellent audio system. I was surprised to see a smallish slot at the bottom of the center control stack: an iPod dock? No, a cassette player! I tried to find a cassette in my attic, but failed, so the wave of nostalgia quickly passed.
The GS350 feels elegant when cruising, and its AWD system helps it launch with authority. On top of all that, it gets decent gas mileage. It was very solid on the road, no shakes or slides, and no rattles. The wireless locks were a bit perplexing: push the door-handle-mounted button, try to open, squeeze again, then give up and press the button on the fob. This is an all-around great performer, but it does want for a bit more verve and style.
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