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Lexus GX has quietly more than doubled its sales this year

There are some things in this industry that we're perplexed by, like the infotainment system on our long-term Subaru WRX or why the Mitsubishi Mirage is allowed to exist, among other things. Let's add one more to that group, with the Lexus GX. It's not a particularly bad vehicle for a big, body-on-frame brute, remaining one of the only true SUVs in the mid-size luxury class, alongside the equally old fashioned Land Rover LR4.
Considering these things, then, what we're about to tell you makes very little sense - sales are up 135 percent through last month. The Japanese luxury marque has moved over 5,300 during the first six months of 2014, owing in no small part to a significant price drop over the 2013 model. Today, a GX starts at $49,085, while a year ago, it was $53,445.
Don't mistake this price decrease for charity, though. Lexus specifically built a lower-cost GX to lure in customers. According to WardsAuto, faux leather covers the cabin rather than the real stuff, while the overall package is decontented relative to what you might find in a typical Lexus.

2014 Lexus IS brings boldest design yet to entry-level luxury

Lexus is evidently dead serious about removing some of the starch from its collar, as evidenced by the boldly styled new IS sedan just unveiled here at the Detroit Auto Show. We didn't know what to make of Lexus' entry-level sport sedan when we first saw images of it earlier this week. Dominated by the gaping maw of a spindle grille and flanked by headlamps with Nike swoosh daytime running lamps, the photos showed a distinctive (if not completely cohesive) design. Having now seen the design in the metal, we have to admit it comes together better than it does on screen.
The new model will feature both rear- and all-wheel drive models in both 2.5-liter V6 (IS250) and 3.5-liter V6 (IS350) trims. Lexus also showed an IS300h hybrid model at the reveal, but it is earmarked for Lexus' home market of Japan, along with Europe and other markets. No word yet on why the model probably won't be sold here in North America, but our AutoblogGreen compatriots are looking into it.
Aside from its bold new look front and rear, the IS carries forward a lot of the ideas seen in other newer Lexus models, namely the GS. Hidden beneath the IS' sheetmetal is the multilink rear suspension from the GS, along with its electric power steering setup. The new IS rides atop a three-inch longer wheelbase for better rear seat room, but during our brief time sitting in the car at the press conference melee, it still didn't feel terribly roomy (it rarely does in this class). At least the seatbacks fold 60/40 for the first time for additional utility.

2014 Lexus GS gets eight-speed auto, other enhancements

The Lexus GS was totally redesigned for the 2013 model year, but Lexus is already tweaking its midsize luxury sedan. While a handful of small changes are being made, the big news for the 2014 model year is that rear-wheel-drive GS350 models will be getting a new eight-speed automatic transmission for improved fuel economy and performance.
Official EPA estimates have yet to be released, but Lexus expects this new transmission to return 19 miles per gallon in the city and 29 mpg on the highway - an improvement of 1 mpg highway. The GS450h still uses a continuously variable transmission, but Lexus says that it has been optimized to mimic the shift points of an eight-speed automatic. The final powertrain change made to the 2014 Lexus GS include tweaks to the GS350's engine intake and exhaust systems, which should help give the sedan a sportier feel.
Inside, Lexus has added Siri Eyes Free inside both the GS350 and GS450h, which allows drivers to use their iPhone's Siri voice assistant simply by pushing a button on the steering wheel. Other changes include a new full-color head-up display, and an available power trunk opener. A new Luxury Package adds LED fog lights, 18-inch "superchrome" wheels on the GS350 and 18-inch graphite-finish wheels on the GS450h. Interesting, the optional Lexus Night View system has been dropped.