AL13NV8D3R

I am currently looking at a loaded 2013 Gs 450h and almost loaded 2013 Gs 350 luxury rwd.
The only option missing on the 350 was PCS/ACC. I really want the active cruise control. I cant decide if I should spend more money for the 450h just so I can have the pcs/acc. I have not yet test driven the 450h. Does the CVT on that car drones when accerating? Ive driven a Nissan maxima with a CVT and find this annoying. Does the Lexus solve the CVT problems that other manufacturers have? Is the 450h worth it?

Chris8152

Hi, I am probably not the right person to answer all your questions, as here in the UK we don’t get the GS350, so I cant compare.
I have the 450h f sport, this did not come with the option of having PCS/ACC, even if I could have had it I would not have done, in the last 15 months I have only covered 4600 miles, and hardly any motorway/ freeway driving.
As for the CVT drone I really can’t understand what all the fuss is about, under normal driving conditions I cant hear anything, if you floor any car your going to get extra engine noise, and even if you do consider that the CVT is slightly noisier, for how long?, it only takes 5.9 seconds to reach 62mph.
As you have the option , drive them both, and see for yourself, and keep in mind the better mpg from hybrid, although others may also remind you of the extra expense of the hybrid, as I have mentioned in the UK we haven’t got the choice, its either the 250 petrol or the 450h, although we are getting the new 300h very soon.( 2.5 petrol hybrid).

AL13NV8D3R

Thank you for your response. What I mean about cvt drone sound is the result of the Nissan maxima staying at mid high rpm when cruising the highway above 60 mph. In the case of most non-cvt transmissions would keep the revs at a low 2000rpm's. The noise come from the CVT while accelerating and when coasting at high speed. I guess Lexus has solve these issues. I will go test drive the 450h next week and see for myself. Thanks again for your input.

yardie876

There are a few 450h acceleration videos floating around on YouTube. Not that you'll get a clear indication of drone or not but it's a place to start.