The 2013 Lexus GS should eliminate any remaining doubt that Lexus can build fun-to-drive cars. With the GS, Lexus nailed it, if the two long black marks left around our handling course are any indication. And those were left by the hybrid.

Predictably, the 350 F Sport proved just as enjoyable during customary flogging. But it was how fluently the 450h blended fun, comfort, and fuel economy (29/34 mpg city/hwy) that impressed COTY judges.

“This may be the first time in the history of hybrids where a hybrid model arguably drove as well as the standard car,” said digital director Mike Floyd, who was just as enamored with the interior. “If there were an Interior of the Year sub-award, the GS would have won it, hands down.”

The insides of both cars impressed as well. “Love the light-colored bamboo-style wood finish, aluminum, and leather. It’s all very high-quality,” said associate editor Rory Jurnecka. Technical director Frank Markus added, “This is a proper back seat. Perfect posture, softness, angle, headrest, armrest, and toe room.”

One blemish: The haptic, mouselike controller that operates the infotainment system is a neat idea, but it still requires you to take your eyes off the road to see what you’re about to click on. And the exterior remains challenged. The GS may feature the best iteration of Lexus’ spindle grille, but the look of it was controversial with the judges.

The 2013 Lexus ES ditches its Camry connection for a platform related to the reworked Toyota Avalon in an effort to achieve LS-levels of comfort. The Lexus gains 1.7 inches of wheelbase and another inch of overall length in switching to the Avalon’s platform, boosting ever-important rear legroom by 4.1 inches.

Aside from the additional legroom, Lexus added its Remote Touch Interface to the infotainment system, upscale touches like available bamboo trim (300h only), and high-quality interior materials such as the hand-stitched dashboard.

For the first time ever in the ES, a hybrid drivetrain is available alongside the V-6, which on the ES 350 is a carryover 3.5-liter unit. The ES 300h’s 2.5-liter I-4 and accompanying electric motor (shared with the Avalon Hybrid) are plucked straight out of the Camry Hybrid, and for the most part are unchanged, netting an impressive 40/39 mpg city/highway.

Since Lexus expects younger ES buyers to go for the hybrid, it opted for a sport-tuned suspension. Unfortunately, we found the experience somewhat lacking. Steering feel was light and overly boosted, and the ES 300h’s brakes suffered from sloppy transitions between regenerative and mechanical braking.