2008 Lexus GS 450h

Neighbors looked curiously at the Lexus GS 450h sedan as it glided silently from a parking spot. They thought I hadn't even started the engine. Nobody seemed to notice the car's small "hybrid" badges.

And pedestrians looked surprised when the car passed them at low speeds from behind because they hadn't heard it coming. It's understandable that sightless people are beginning to express wariness about hybrid autos that give no auditory warning of their approach.

The remarkably silent rear-wheel-drive GS 450h's hybrid drive powertrain -- rated at 340 horsepower -- teams a potent 3.5-liter V-6 with two electric motors, a battery pack and a smooth continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The gas engine seamlessly kicks in when needed, but I often drove at lower speeds -- usually up to 30 mph -- on battery power, alone, in congested traffic. The roomy, mid-size car can run on one or both power sources, depending on driving conditions.

"The gas engine kicks in depending on such factors as battery [charge] condition, the level nature of roads and the need for fast acceleration at higher speeds," a Lexus spokesman said.

Fast acceleration and decent fuel economy seldom have been companions in larger luxury cars. But Toyota is a veteran hybrid producer and thus makes the large GS 450h gas/electric sedan very fast and reasonably fuel-efficient.

How fast? The 4,135-pound GS 450h is quicker (0-60 mph in 5.2 seconds) than the lighter GS 460 gasoline-only version, which has a 4.6-liter 342-horsepower V-8. The tremendous instant torque of electric motors can be thanked. The car accelerates from a stop rapidly and smoothly and merges and passes on highways with a great deal of authority.

The GS 450h is designed to deliver the best performance in the GS line, while delivering pretty good fuel economy for a roomy, heavy luxury sedan. But a major question is if its $55,800 price is worth the extra fuel economy it delivers -- putting aside that it's classified as a "Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle."

You'll have to do the math to see if enough gas can be saved to compensate for the hybrid's higher list price. The GS 450h provides an estimated 22 mpg in the city and 25 on highways with the seamless CVT transmission, which has easily used manual-shift capability.

The $53,020 GS 460 provides an estimated 17 mpg in the city and 24 on highways with a fuel-saving eight-speed automatic transmission. The entry $44,550 GS 350, which has a 3.5-liter 303-horsepower V-6, provides 17/26 with rear-drive, while the $46,500 GS 350 all-wheel-drive version delivers 18 and 25. It has a six-speed automatic.

All GS models require premium fuel.

The GS 450h is handsome, although a low front end invites damage at high curbs and such. It has a plethora of convenience, luxury and safety features because Lexus figures that, what the heck, it might as well give its most expensive GS model everything it can put in it.

Standard items include leather upholstery, genuine wood trim, heated/ventilated power front seats, power sunroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless access and starting, elaborate sound system, driver-adjustable suspension and all the usual power controls.

Options include an elaborate $1,750 Mark Levinson audio system and $1,500 navigation system.

Safety items? They include front- and rear-side air bags, front-knee bags, curtain-side bags, stability/traction-control systems, anti-lock brakes with a brake assist feature, front/rear obstacle detection system and a rearview camera to assist safely backing up.

The GS 450h isn't designed to be a sports sedan because it's a no-fuss car that puts comfort ahead of BMW-style cornering ability. But its handling lets a driver securely go faster than most owners will ever drive, thanks partly to a well-designed suspension and wide 40-series tires on 18-inch wheels. Steering is precise with the right power assist, although it feels numb.

The ride is smooth, but gets jittery if put in Sport mode when moving over rough streets. The brake pedal has a soft but linear action, and the brakes allow short stops.

Large outside door handles are easily grasped and all doors open wide. The silent interior -- one requisite feature of a luxury car -- has easily read backlit gauges and supportive, comfortable front seats. It's roomy for four tall adults, or for five if the fifth doesn't mind sitting on a stiff rear center seat area best occupied by a pull-down armrest with twin cupholders.

Front cupholders are strategically placed on the console, although their lid partly obstructs driver access to them when it's open. (Why not obstruct front passenger access, instead? After all, that person isn't driving.)

Interior storage is OK, with a fairly large front console bin and nifty private-jet-style flip-out door pockets up front. But batteries don't allow the trunk to be very roomy. There's no folding seatbacks to enlarge the cargo area or a pass-through area to the backseat. The padded trunk lid raises high on noninvasive strut hinges and the trunk opening is conveniently low and wide.

The hood easily raises on twin struts, but you'd need X-ray vision to see the engine under its large plastic cover.

The GS 450h is an engineering marvel. It's rarer than a Bentley, with less than 2,000 sold in America last year. Far more Lexus buyers opted for the less costly, well-equipped GS 350. Still, that shouldn't detract from the desirability of the GS 450h.

2008 LEXUS GS 450h 

Price: $55,800

Likes: Fuel-saving gas/electric hybrid. Swift. Solid handling. Refined. Posh interior. Well-equipped. Lexus cache.

Dislikes: Expensive. Small trunk. Numb steering. Low front ground clearance.