2013 Lexus ES and RX Hybrid Take Home AutoPacific Ideal Vehicle Awards

Watertown, 08/23/2013 / SubmitMyPR /

For the 2013 model year, the Lexus ES sedan and Lexus RX hybrid SUV were both updated with a sportier look and feel, and according to AutoPacific, those changes have taken hold with buyers. The 2013 Lexus ES and RX 450h topped their respective segments in the auto researcher's 2013 Ideal Vehicle Awards, which measure how well new vehicles meet the expectations and desires of their owners.

Tapping the opinions of more than 52,000 owners of 2013 models after they had been with their vehicle for at least 90 days, the AutoPacific Ideal Vehicle Awards hone in on what drivers would like to change about their rides, covering 15 attributes that range from performance and style to comfort and technology. The award winners are the models that received the fewest suggested changes in their class, with the 2013 Lexus ES and RX 450h leading the Luxury Mid-Size Car and Hybrid/EV Truck categories, respectively.

"The ES and RX hybrid are two key models in Lexus' broader push to make all of its models more engaging to drive and look at, and their awards from AutoPacific suggest that strategy is working with buyers," said Vincent Liuzzi, general manager of Lexus of Watertown, a Lexus dealer in Boston. "While their more aggressive designs have provided a big boost, the ES and RX 450h wouldn't have won their segments in the Ideal Vehicle Awards if they didn't still deliver the high levels of comfort and technology that they've become known for over the years."

Donning the brand's new signature spindle grille, the redesigned 2013 Lexus ES is defined by crisp styling lines and a lower, sleeker profile. Meanwhile, a revised suspension, tighter steering and a stiffer body have improved driving dynamics. For the first time, buyers can opt for an ES hybrid, with the 2013 Lexus ES 300h returning up to 40 mpg combined city and highway while still producing a total system output of 200 horsepower.

The Lexus RX 450h also received a bold spindle grille for the 2013 model year, as well as a new bumper and a fresh headlamp design featuring LED daytime running lights. Additionally, buyers benefit from new standard features, including a power liftgate, a USB iPod/mp3 control and a new Sport mode, which tailors the steering effort, throttle mapping and transmission shifting for a more responsive ride. Inside the cabin, drivers will find a more comfortable steering wheel, an easier-to-access center console and a new Ebony Bird's-Eye Maple wood trim.

"The RX was Lexus' first vehicle to offer a hybrid drivetrain, but none of the prior versions offered as complete of a package as the new model," added Liuzzi. "The 2013 RX 450h is stylish, fuel efficient and fun to drive, but it still has all the functionality and spaciousness that you look for when you buy a luxury SUV."

About Lexus of Watertown:
Lexus of Watertown is a recipient of multiple Elite of Lexus awards, given annually to dealerships that showcase overall excellence. They have a wide selection of new and certified pre-owned Lexus models, in addition to an exemplary service department that keeps customers coming back. Easily accessible from MetroWest, the North Shore and the South Shore, Lexus of Watertown is just minutes off the Mass Pike between Route 128 and Route 93. For more information, visit them online at www.lexusofwatertown.com, call them at 888-677-9785, like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LexusWatertown, or stop by their showroom at 330 Arsenal Street in Watertown, Mass.