Football Fantasy – Lexus Reality

2014 Lexus GS450h 4DR Sedan

By: Melanie Droz Shawcroft – High Heels Certified

With the holidays upon us, the cooler weather and the year coming to a close…what is the one thing that comes to mind? For this tomboy, the answer is FOOTBALL! As the commissioner of my ladies’ fantasy football league, “Might as Well,” I am an avid NFL fan and cheering for the Arizona Cardinals to play in the Superbowl at home this year. Although not the signature Cardinal red of the team, I did get to drive the 2014 Lexus GS450h this week in Riviera Red, in support of the Cards going all the way!

As the commissioner of the league, I have taken my role very seriously – really, all I have left is to be the best leader ever since my team’s record is 4-8 for the season. With that being said, I was going to host the second football Sunday party at my home. I took the GS450h to stock up at the grocery store. Although the Bills could not survive the conditions in Buffalo, causing them to reschedule the game, the GS450h surely could have beat the snow with Bi-Xenon Headlamps with headlamp washers, LED daytime running lamps, rain-sensing automatic wipers, vehicle stability control and 4-wheel ventilated front/rear disc brakes with anti-lock brakes. Since it was a sunny 70-degree Sunday in Phoenix, all I needed to get to the store was the open/close moonroof, power rear sunshade and the Mark Levinson Premium Surround Sound. It was crucial I listen to NFL radio via SiriusXM on my way, in case I had to make any last-minute changes to my roster.

The GS450h has headlamp washers, LED daytime running lamps, rain-sensing automatic wipers, vehicle stability control and 4-wheel ventilated front/rear disc brakes with anti-lock brakes

Once I arrived at the grocery store, it was great to have the Blind Spot monitor, backup camera and parking assist in the GS450h. I even appreciate how the heated outside mirrors have power folding so that once you park, you limit the possibility of hitting nearby cars when opening the door. I definitely wasn’t the only person getting last-minute grub for the game, so it was wonderful to have these features. I had to get in and out quickly since my guests would be at the house soon – the Lexus made it easy with the Smart Access keyless entry with push button start/stop and auto recirculation driver’s seat/steering wheel/mirror memory which would move the seat back when I stopped the car to make it easy for me to get in and out. I also appreciated the one touch power trunk that made it convenient to open and close. With bags of tortilla chips, salsa, drinks, a veggie platter, taquitos and so on, my hands were full.

I made it home just in time for my guests. I used the paddle shifters on the 3.5 liter 4 cam 24-valve V-8 engine to hurry the trip; I was not as quick as running back LeSean McCoy, proving to be an asset to one of my opponents this season in fantasy football, but the 2014 Lexus GS450h moves swiftly with dual variable valve timing and electric drive motor with Lexus hybrid drive. Efficient in fuel economy as well with 29 city/34 highway mpg, this Lexus got me home to serve my guests and watch some football.

I did have to run out prior to the Sunday night game to replenish the chips and salsa. I took a couple of my guests with me. We all appreciated the 17 speakers as we listened to the beginning of the night game, the HD Navigation with a gigantic 12.3-inch high resolution monitor and the safety of the vehicle since we took a couple of the kids with us. With Safety Connect, the Lexus comes with automatic collision notification, stolen vehicle location, emergency assist button and roadside assistance – the only emergency we had though was getting more chips in time for the final game.

With Safetykids Connect, the Lexus comes with automatic collision notification, stolen vehicle location, emergency assist button and roadside assistance

Thankfully, this 2014 Lexus GS450h lights up at night – illuminated scuff plates, LED headlamps, auto-dimming inside and white LED interior illumination make it easy to see the roads ahead and all the treats on the inside. With all the user-friendly knobs and indicators, such as the blue light about the speedometer letting you know if you are driving most efficiently, this Lexus irradiates like my Fantasy Football QB Drew Brees, with 3 TDs and 420 yards. Too bad his team lost.

I did actually win this week (unlike the Cardinals) – not just in my fantasy league but on the road as well. I won with the 2014 Lexus GS450h because of its remarkable performance, luxury features, safety and convenience. The winner of the fantasy league will get $160 which is not nearly enough to buy the GS450h starting at $59,600 with the car I test-drove listed at $70,649, but the bragging rights are what it is all about, and the GS450h also provides plenty to brag about.