Lexus GS 450h 2007 Review

Road Test

Overall rating: 3.5/5.0
Engine/Drivetrain/Chassis: 4.0/5.0
Price, Packaging and Practicality: 3.5/5.0
Safety: 4.5/5.0
Behind the wheel: 3.5/5.0
X-factor: 3.5/5.0

Since it was first introduced in its first generation in 1997, the Lexus GS has been a bit of a sleeper. It was supposed to be a direct rival for BMW's 5 Series but with the base model featuring an uninspiring 166kW/298Nm 3.0-litre inline six and competent but hardly exciting dynamics, this supposed sports sedan was unable to rival one of the best.

In 2005, the second-generation debuted (more here) and more substantial powerplants -- in the form of an all-new 3.0-litre V6 engine and a 208kW/417Nm 4.3-litre V8 -- added to the armoury. Even the six now had plenty of go and the car's dynamics were definitely improved but it was still no match for the benchmark Euros -- at least in terms of the drive experience.

So when Lexus launched its first hybrid vehicle in Australia last year in the form of the GS 450h, it called it the "secret to guilt-free high performance". V8 performance with the economy of a (largish) four-cylinder engine was the gist of it and with it came a means of offering a point of difference to the Germans.

And there is no denying the performance. In fact, by combining the 450h's 218kW 3.5-litre direct-injected petrol V6 with a 147kW electric motor to drive the rear wheels, Lexus has managed to put a total of 254kW to the ground. This is 22 per cent more power than the 4.3-litre V8 while at the same time, the hybrid GS sips petrol at the rate of just 7.9lt/100km -- an improvement of more than 32 per cent!

As to the "guilt-free" claim, actually achieving a figure of 7.9lt/100km is, as with most test figures, reliant on some very careful throttle action and specific driving conditions. Over the course of the week we spent behind the wheel, we averaged 9.4lt/100km. Still no mean feat when we were hardly light of foot and spent a reasonable proportion of our 500km-odd was at highway speeds (not the forte of hybrids).

For as with all hybrids, they are most efficient in slow stop start city traffic where they can rely on the electric drive and stop start facility to save fuel but nevertheless, the economy was pleasing. And in terms of straight-line grunt, the GS 450h also delivered its fair share of smiles.

The GS initially starts off under electric power, moving away with an eerie silence. But plant the right foot and the petrol engine seamlessly fires into life after just a few turns of the wheels, thereafter propelling the GS forward at a very rapid rate.

With the instant torque courtesy of the electric motor, and the very smooth delivery to the wheels via the continuously variable transmission, this is a car that really gets off the line quickly. It is equally adept at rapid acceleration on the run for quick and efficient overtaking.

With the same double wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension with adaptive dampers as the V8 GS, the car offers a comfortable and suitably cosseting ride in normal mode. Switch to Sport mode and dampers firm to make the ride noticeably more fidgety over less than perfect freeway surfaces.

On the flipside, the handling is competent if not particularly inspiring. The 450h sits fairly flat through corners and offers plenty of grip but the biggest bugbear is the dead and lifeless steering that does little to encourage an active drive. Add to this the fact that Lexus' electronic nannies seemed a little too eager to intervene on some occasions.

Apart from its mechanical trickery, the GS 450h offers the same superb build quality, very long list of standard -- leather all round and power everything along with keyless entry, dual zone climate, adaptive cruise and excellent Mark Levinson audio -- and generally very refined ambience.

It does, however, also carry the less than ideal traits of its siblings with a relative lack of rear head and legroom. For a car of this size there is also a massive compromise in boot space courtesy of the 'shallowing' to accommodate the hybrid drive's battery pack.

As a showcase to demonstrate the versatility of hybrid systems, the GS 450h is a good example of a (relatively) seamless and effective application of technology. And as sports sedan, it is also worth a look in its own right...

But frankly where the car really shines is in the company of its own stablemates. When you factor in the extra oomph and standard kit the 450h delivers, around $10,000 is not a huge premium to pay over the Sports Luxury version of 3.0-litre V6 GS300.

That the hybrid car is faster, more powerful and over $15,000 cheaper than the V8 GS430 makes the choice a no-brainer.

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