The 2013 Lexus ES350 Receives More Aggressive Styling, But Maintains Refined Plushness

In the 2013 model year, Lexus’ all-new Lexus ES350 features innovative and stylish updates to an already world-class luxury interior. Improving on an already popular vehicle, Lexus continues to push the envelope with refined design touches, all while maintaining the model’s signature refined plushness.

The ES350’s comfortable and luxurious interior will make you look forward to road trips and long holiday drives with the family. The rear seat is an on-road oasis, while the longer platform and sleek front seatback design offer class-leading legroom. Passengers will appreciate the generous headroom and rear-window sunshades.

For travel, trips to Austin, or even to the grocery store, the Lexus ES350 offers 12-15 cubic feet of storage space, which is enough to accommodate 9 airline carry-on bags, 4 golf bags or 18 standard grocery bags. A redesigned hinge creates a wider opening in the trunk, making loading and unloading easier than ever.

One of our favorite features, the Drive Mode Select, allows you to make the most of your driving experience. In the Eco mode, you’ll be able to conserve fuel and maximize your efficiency, while Sport mode makes your ES350 more responsive. The ability to personalize your driving experience gives the ES350 another luxurious and individualized touch.

The first-ever ES300h offers an outstanding 40 miles-per-gallon that outpaces even subcompact models and the ES300h has earned the stringent SULEV emissions status. The ES300h’s luxurious interior offers a hybrid driving experience no other model can match. What’s even better is no longer do drivers have to sacrifice eco-friendliness and fuel efficiency for luxury and sophistication the Lexus ES300h combines both seamlessly.

Improvements to the Lexus ES350 for the 2013 model year represent an aggressive commitment to luxury and quality. Its luxurious and roomy interior paired with the vehicle’s personalized drivability make the ES350 an easy choice for drivers who seek a sophisticated vehicle that makes eco-stylish driving a reality.

Tags: 2013 Lexus ES, Lexus ES Grapevine, Lexus ES Plano

The 2013 Phantom: Rolls Royce is Still The Car of Kings

Phantom Evolution

Phantom has always been aptly named. Like a spooky apparition it has disappeared and re-appeared numerous times over the last century. Through it all, the executive flagship has proudly displayed the signature Spirit of Ecstasy hood icon—a reassuring detail for every Rolls-Royce diehard.

As the first Rolls produced by German engineers after a century of British ownership, the Phantom defines the upper-crust marque as influenced by the house of BMW. How have they done?

In short, they’ve done a great job. 2013 marks a decade of extraordinary work on an old-world legend that was designed from the ground up to silence any who would threaten its throne. So far it’s worked.

With rear-wheel drive, a nearly 7-liter V12 engine, and upwards of 450 horsepower, you’d think the deluxe sedan was a sports car, but it’s not. The Phantom is more likely to be found dropping off movie stars on the red carpet. At least that’s what comes to mind when you first open her rear carriage doors. You’ll see the elegant 5-passenger cabin, masterfully lined with hand-sewn leathers and an optional overhead fiber optic “universe” of twinkling stars to complement the experience.

2013: Adjustments to a “Timeless Interpretation”

This year’s car of kings comes with some alterations in style for its Series II incarnation, including lighting changes to the preferred rectangular LED clusters. Adjustments were also made to Phantom’s bumpers and wheels, with expanded paint and polish options for the latter.

There’s no denying it: the Phantom is huge. In light of this fact, Rolls-Royce has made standard the comprehensive camera network that covers the vehicle from five different angles as a navigation aid.

In the interests of improved fuel efficiency, a worthy goal for a V12-powered beast like the Phantom, an eight-speed transmission plus rear differential were incorporated into the car’s drivetrain. The company also dutifully obliged special requests for larger computer screens inside the cabin and an accompanying remote control, which was delivered in chrome.

Phantom, either as sedan, coupe or convertible, already comes with a large number of options, including advanced sound, navigation, and climate systems optimized with the latest technological innovations. The popular Extended Wheelbase (EW) version of the car adds to an already spacious interior and an imposing car length. Customers can order a partition window for passenger privacy as well.

Have an idea for your car that’s not already offered? No problem. Phantom owners can customize their car down to the finest grain under the Bespoke program, which allows requests for custom extras that reflect a driver’s personal automotive style. It’s up to the customer’s imagination.

For many, the prestige of the Phantom will remain a Hollywood dream, but if you’re lucky enough to get your hands on a Phantom, you’ll own one of the most respected and customizable automobiles in the world.

Tags: 2013 Phantom, 2013 Rolls-Royce Phantom

Choosing the Best New Luxury SUV: The Lexus LX

When purchasing a luxury SUV, there are several things that you absolutely must have. First, you require the power and versatility that a capable SUV should offer. The SUV needs enough cargo space to safely and comfortably transport whatever needs transporting, be it a new piece of furniture or a cooler and fishing gear for a quiet day at the lake. The vehicle needs to have plenty of comfortable seating for the family, and it needs to have cutting edge features and equipment to make every time you drive it as safe and as comfortable as possible. The new Lexus LX 570 offers all of this and more, making it one of the best choices available for a new SUV in 2013.

The LX 570 skipped a 2012 model, making the 2013 a substantial step up over its 2011 predecessor. Under the hood the LX 570 packs plenty of power, with a 5.7 liter V-8 engine boasting a solid 383 horsepower. The sturdy frame construction makes it a solid off-road vehicle that can tackle rugged terrain or roughed-up back roads without a wink, including an available suspension with height adjustment capabilities to ensure proper clearance over obstacles (or just make it easier to get in and out of the vehicle!). The 570 is rated to tow up to seven thousand pounds – plenty of power to haul a boat to a secluded mountain lake.

Also included is Lexus’ special Crawl Control feature. Crawl Control can be activated at slow speeds, permitting the driver to ignore the accelerator and brake pedals, instead focusing on navigating difficult terrain. The car itself maintains a slow but steady speed, regulating engine output and brake usage to help prevent slippage. Combined with the adaptive variable suspension and active height control, even the roughest boulder-strewn terrain can be conquered.

Of course, the LX is just as competent on the interstate as off. Strong acceleration and passing power mean an easy, comfortable drive wherever you are.

Space is at anything but a premium. Initially, the 570 comfortably seats eight, with power seating for the second and third rows as well as the first. When storage is needed more than seating, the second and third rows both flip and fold away, creating a huge flat-bed cargo space that can comfortably hold anything that fits in the vehicle. When the load is removed, the seats flip back easily and quickly to accommodate passengers.

As for protecting those passengers, not a single safety feature was spared when outfitting the Lexus LX. A staggering ten airbags are included, as well as active head restraints. When off-road settings are enabled, stability control helps keep everything level. Every model of the LX includes a rearview camera for protection when backing up, with a 180-degree front camera being available to provide extra peace of mind approaching low-height dangers from the front. Safety Connect also comes standard with one year of free emergency connection services just in case.

Helping with safety as well as luxury is the Lexus Enform connectivity system that automatically connects Bluetooth-enabled smartphones to the SUV itself, allowing for hands free phone calls and audio so the driver can keep his or her focus on the road. The system also ties in with mobile phone apps like Pandora and Facebook, among others, allowing them to be operated using either voice commands or the beautiful included LCD touch screen.

The luxury features do not stop there. Four-zone climate control lets every occupant feel comfortable. Satellite radio means plenty of programming for those who opt not to use their own music collection. For those who opt in for XM or use your own music playlist, your tunes can be enjoyed using the surround sound system by Mark Levinson, which boasts nineteen individual speakers. Front seats are both heated and ventilated, the second row of seats is heated along with the steering wheel, and Smart Access keyless entry is supported with a quick push-button engine startup.

Kids will be especially big fans of the dual-screen entertainment system. Both back rows are allowed wireless headphones for enjoyment of whatever is playing. The screen also supports dual-sourcing, meaning two different devices can be plugged into the screen at one time – a DVD players and a game console, for instance.

In the end, the Lexus LX 570 offers exactly what is wanted for a luxury off-road SUV: powerful, rugged off-road capabilities with adjustable variable suspension and Crawl Control, strong interstate and city performance and passing power with features like hill-start assist control, and incomparable luxury in the versatile entertainment system and suite of comfort options. If searching for a luxury SUV for 2013, seek no further than the LX 570.

Click here to see our 2013 Lexus LX 570 inventory!

Tags: 2013 Lexus LX