New Lexus GS 300h hybrid available now

The new Lexus GS 300h is available to buy now, priced from £31,495 and with first deliveries starting in January 2014. This new car marks the first time that two hybrid models have been offered in a Lexus model range, the other being the more expensive GS 450h.

The headline figures for this new Lexus GS 300h are its 109g/km emissions and 60mpg fuel economy from the 2.5-litre petrol engine coupled with an electric motor. That means it costs only £20 to tax annually, and is cheaper on company car tax than a BMW 520d diesel, a Mercedes E220 CDI diesel and even an Audi A6 hybrid. That’s because the Lexus GS 300h’s benefit-in-kind tax rate is just 13 per cent.

• You can read more about company car tax here: Company car tax rates explained

There are four specifications for the new Lexus GS 300h: SE, Luxury, F Sport and Premier. Standard equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels, digital radio, a DVD player, cruise control, parking sensors and heated front seats. Move up to the Luxury spec and you get leather seats, sat-nav, 18-inch alloy wheels and a blind spot monitor.

F Sport models get a sportier exterior look, leather sports seats, 19-inch alloy wheels and special sports suspension – though do be aware that thanks to these changes fuel economy drops to 56.5mpg. The top-spec Premier features a Mark Levinson 17-speaker stereo system, a colour head-up display, LED foglamps and front seats with more adjustment options and a memory function.

The arrival of this new GS 300h means the Lexus GS range has changed slightly. The 300h replaces the previous entry-level GS 250, which was powered by a V6 petrol engine. A new gearlever design and the colour head-up display from the 300h have also been added to the GS 450h model.

For the full Lexus range visit the CarBuyer Lexus reviews page.