PROS
Locomotive-like acceleration, Excellent fuel economy, Loads of luxury amenities
CONS Substandard head room, Miniscule trunk, Hiccups in power delivery
The best of both worlds?
Toyota's premium brand, Lexus, redesigned its rear-drive sport-luxury sedan for 2006, giving it more power, fresh interior and exterior styling, and additional features. Lexus also added an all-wheel-drive model, and, this past summer, the GS 450h hybrid. The automaker claims the new 450h offers V8 power, V6 efficiency, and the refinement and luxury Lexus' buyers expect.
Though the new GS sports similar dimensions when compared to the previous model, it has a wheelbase that's two inches longer. Three trim levels are offered. The base is the GS 350. It comes with a 305-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 and either rear- or all-wheel drive. The GS 430 comes only with rear-drive and sports a 290-horsepower 4.3-liter V8. Topping the line is the GS 450h. It has a hybrid powertrain that consists of a 3.5-liter V6 and two electric motors that combine for nearly 340 horsepower. Like the 430, the 450h comes only with rear-wheel drive. GS 350 and 430 come with a 6-speed automatic transmission and the 450h comes with a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Vehicle Tested |
2007 Lexus GS450h
Base Price: $54,900
As-Tested Price: $60,149
Built in Japan.
OptionsRun-Flat Tires
Mark Levinson Audio
Navigation System
Rear-Lip Spoiler
Perferred Accessory Package
Engine: DOHC 3.5-liter V6 w/front electric motor
Transmission: CVT automatic
Drive Wheels: rear-wheel drive |
Lexus calls the GS 450h a full hybrid, meaning that it can run on electric power, gas power, or a combination of the two. The electric motors and gas engine mate at the CVT, allowing for the seamless transition of power between sources. This also allows the electric motors to act as generators, charging the batteries when coasting or braking.Standard safety equipment on all models includes antilock brakes, stability control, traction control, side and knee airbags for front seat passengers, and curtain side airbags. Standard equipment on all includes leather upholstery and keyless entry/starting. GS 430 and 450h have driver-adjustable shock absorbers. Options include a voice-activated navigation system, rear-view TV camera, steering-linked headlamps, and a safety system Lexus calls Pre-Collision. It is designed to tighten seatbelts and apply maximum braking force if an unavoidable crash is detected.
Get up and Go
Lexus asserts the GS 450h will accelerate from 0-60 mph in 5.2 seconds, and there's no reason to doubt that claim. Step on the gas, and the 450h jumps away from stoplights like a '60s-era muscle car. Passing response is even more impressive, where the GS surges ahead with the authority and smoothness of a locomotive.
What makes the 450h unique among sport sedans is that it utilizes the hybrid powertrain to provide blinding acceleration and excellent fuel economy. When driven cautiously around town, the electric motor starts the vehicle from a stop. This makes the most of the electric motor's instant torque. At about 20 mph, or when more acceleration is called for, the gas engine kicks in and provides additional power.
The constant power demand of highway driving is met mostly by the gas engine--because that's when a gas engine is most efficient. When cruising, the gas engine may shut off, leaving the electric motor to provide the necessary acceleration to maintain speed. This mechanical symphony is all controlled by a computer that, for the most part, stays as silent as a conductor. Every once in a while there's a slight hiccup from either the engine or transmission as power delivery is shifted between sources. Still, it's slight, and the fact that the CVT completely eliminates shift shock more than compensates for the occasional driveline discord.
Like other hybrids, electric start, electric assist, and auto-stop help increase around-town fuel economy. But, because the electric motors in the GS are so powerful, it has allowed Lexus to use a smaller V6 than most competitors. This enables the GS 450h to get better highway economy than most rivals.
During this test of the GS 450h, which was conducted over 400 miles of mostly highway driving, the vehicle averaged 27.1 mpg. That is in between the GS 450h's EPA ratings of 25 mpg city and 28 mpg highway and about 5-10 mpg better than V8-powered competitors. Lexus recommends premium-grade fuel for all GS models.
On the Road
When the driver-adjustable suspension is set to "Comfort," the ride is serene, almost peaceful. When the suspension is set to "Sport," the ride grows considerably busier and even smaller pavement imperfections are felt by passengers. Regardless of setting, there's also a hint of harshness from the optional run-flat tires. On the whole, the GS rides like a luxury sedan should, and is easily on par with competitors from BMW, Infiniti, and Mercedes-Benz.
The tires provide good grip on twisty roads and the sport-tuned suspension allows only minimal body lean in fast turns. Yet, the GS 450h doesn't match the nimble moves of some luxury-sport sedan competitors like the BMW 5-Series or Infiniti M. If you're a football fan, you'd think of the GS as a fullback or tight end, rather than halfback or a wide receiver.Because of the hybrid technology and engine shut off, steering is electric. You wouldn't know it though, because it offers good weight and excellent road feedback. Brakes are strong and pedal action is sure.
Being rear-drive, it's good that the GS comes standard with traction and stability control. Additionally, owners in northern climates may want to consider a set of snow tires for winter driving.
Lexus has built its luxury-car reputation on quiet and refined interiors and the GS 450h is no exception. It easily equals class rivals for overall quietness and, because it is a hybrid, has the added benefit of auto-stop, which eliminates unwelcome engine vibrations at stoplights.
Behind the Wheel In a refreshing contrast to high-tech luxury competitors, the GS offers an interior that's both elegant and functional. Large and simple gauges and a plain control layout face the driver. Where Acura, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz offer complex control systems, the Lexus has clearly marked buttons and knobs and a large touch screen. Radio and audio controls are simple and easy to operate night and day.
The ergonomics are not perfect. Power-seat switches are mounted low on the sides of the front seats and there's not much room for large-handed occupants to reach the buttons, and the interior lights aren't as bright as they should be when entering and exiting the car at night.GS offers comfortable seating for four adults with good outward visibility. However, head room is below average for all seats and rear-seat rear leg room grows tight if the front seats are more than halfway back. Though the rear bench has room for three, center-seat riders don't get much leg room because of an intrusive driveline hump.
The conservatively styled interior features top-notch materials and impeccable fit-and-finish. Soft-touch matte plastics, real wood, and dark colors give the feeling of a European sedan as opposed to the fighter-jet look of the competing Acura RL. The GS also sports a few ultra-luxury touches like chrome-finish door sills, memory seats for driver and passenger, and a navigation screen that can play DVD movies when the vehicle is stopped.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results, 2007 Lexus GS 450h |
| Front Impact, Driver | NA |
| Front Impact, Passenger | NA |
| Side Impact, Driver | NA |
| Side Impact, Rear Passenger | NA |
| Rollover Resistance | NA |
One downside to the hybrid powertrain is a drastically smaller trunk. GS 350 and 430 offer a class-competitive 12.7 cubic feet of cargo room. However, because of the hybrid battery pack, the 450h's trunk is reduced to just 7.5 cubic feet. That means that you get room for perhaps two large suitcases and no more. Interior storage is better than expected, highlighted by large map pockets and plenty of cubbies and bins.Bottom Line Thanks to its hybrid powertrain, the Lexus GS 450h offers best-in-class fuel economy . It also boasts V8-like power and smoothness, a great ride, sure-footed handling, and lots of techno goodies. It successfully delivers on Lexus' promise of sport, performance, luxury and efficiency.
Still, the car's not for everyone. Cargo room is limited and the hybrid powertrain makes it very expensive when compared to conventionally powered competitors. But, most hybrid owners aren't as concerned with the bottom line as they are with making a statement to big business and government and doing the right thing for the environment.
| Specifications, 2007 Lexus GS 450h |
| Dimensions | 4-door sedan | Engine | DOHC V6 |
| Wheelbase, in. | 112.2 | Size, liters/cu. in. | 3.5/210 |
| Length, in. | 190.0 | Horsepower @ rpm | 282 @ 6400 |
| Width, in. | 71.7 | Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm | 367 @ 4800 |
| Height, in. | 56.1 | Transmission | CVT automatic |
| Weight, lbs. | 4134 | EPA Estimates, mpg | 25 city/28 highway |
| Cargo Capacity, cu. ft. | 7.5 | |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 17.2 | Manufacturer's Warranty |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | Bumper-to-Bumper | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Front Head Room, in. | 37.8 | Powertrain | 6 yeras/70,000 miles* |
| Front Leg Room, in. | 43.5 | Corrosion | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 37.0 | Free Roadside Assistance | 4 years/unlimited miles |
| Rear Leg Room, in. | 36.4 | Free Scheduled Maintenance | None |
*Hybrid components (battery, battery-control module, hybrid-control module, inverter) are covered for 8 years/100,000 miles.