Trust Lexus to combine a luxury high performance sedan, the real-world economy of hybrid technology and wrap it all up in a stylish, contemporarily-sculptured body that is anything but boring and boxy – it’s called the GS450h.
In fact, when it was first launched in 2006, the GS450h was the first Lexus hybrid – it was followed by the RX400h and range-topping LS600h – however, typical of Lexus and Toyota, the bewilderingly complex technology underpinning these vehicles is transformed into ultimate user-friendliness that makes it possible to enjoy high performance luxury motoring and at the same time be gentle on the planet.
What You Get
Dynamic good looks highlight this mid-size super-luxury sedan. It’s a Lexus so the list of a luxury features is matched only by the list of safety and performance features.
Generally the GS450h targets younger buyers than the larger LS600hl – and of course they’re socially-responsible forward-thinkers who embrace the hybrid ‘thing’ but don’t wish to live without luxury and performance. Did someone say ‘Gen Y’?
Priced at $132K and coin, the GS450h isn’t cheap but it’s actually remarkable value-for-money considering the world-beating technology you’re buying into.
Under The Hood
The quad-cam V6 engine and 650-volt electric motor combine for 254kW of maximum power. On its own the electric drive motor can deliver 147kW while the V6 solo is good for 218kW.
Drive is to the rear wheels via a brilliant Electronic Continuously Variable Transmission (ECVT) with two sets of planetary gears including a two-stage planetary gear set for the electric drive motor to reduce revolutions at high speeds. Of course with no clutch or torque converter (the feature of conventional automatics) there is no slippage or energy-wasting.
As per other hybrids, energy-saving regenerative braking converts kinetic energy into electric energy which is stored for later use in the battery.
However in the GS450h, the ECVT features a sequential shift function which actually provides engine braking when required.
According to Lexus, this all adds up to 22 per cent more engine power and 31 per cent lower fuel consumption than a conventionally–powered GS430.
The Interior
A mid-sizer, the GS450h is in the league of the 5-series BMW and E-class Mercedes-Benz – which is to say rear seat passengers don’t have full stretch-out capability like the LS Lexus, 7-Series BMW or S-Class ‘Benz.
What you do get (amongst a list of features as long as the ‘phone book) is beautiful leather and wood trim, thick carpets, 10 SRS airbags, a 14-speaker Mark Levinson audio system with MP3/WMA/Bluetooth compatibility, DVD video and audio, Active Cruise Control and a rear-view camera.
Car Showroom maintains the Lexus reversing camera with Rear Guide Assist (lines on the TV screen to show your direction) and the Lexus/Toyota satellite navigation system are amongst the best and most user-friendly systems we have tested.
The front seats are nicely styled although not as sportingly supportive as you’ll find in the 5-Series BMW. But with electronic adjustment for rake and reach on the steering wheel plus lots of adjustments for the seats, the driving position is excellent.
Exterior & Styling
The GS450h is the latest version of the GS line and its design is a credit to Japan-based Englishman Simon Humphries. It evolves further the Lexus principle of L-Finesse (where ‘L’ stands for ‘Leading Edge’).
Like its smaller cousin the IS250, the GS presents a distinct Lexus look which is aesthetically different to European and American executions of luxury high performance four-door sedans.
The GS450 presents a front and rear-end treatment which is youthful and – well – different to the more conservative designs that comprise the field in this segment.
A C-pillar which stretches into the boot area gives an elongated look to the cabin which emphasizes interior space and light.
Ultimately pulled together by Humphries and his team in Nagoya, Japan, contributions to the GS450h came from other Toyota design studios in Nice, France and Newport Beach, California. The world’s number one automaker is truly global.
On The Road
Hybrid first-timers think their car hasn’t responded to the ignition key but actually the GS450h – like the Prius – doesn’t idle as the electric motor gets you motoring before the V6 petrol cuts-in.
For example, in dropping the Car Showroom juniors at school and daycare, both within the surrounding side streets from home, we did not use petrol at all – with a light throttle, the entire 1.8kms round trip could be done just with the electric motor. Same once we got into the traffic gridlock of the CBD.
Once underway, a simple display on the dashboard shows whether you’re using the V6 petrol or electric motor and whether you are replenishing the battery with regenerative braking etc.
It’s truly remarkable technology that we really like.
The list of driver aids like adjustable suspension, traction control and ABS anti-lock brakes is massive (as you would expect from Lexus).
It all boils down to a superb driver’s car with sharp dynamics and supreme refinement.
Challenges
It’s hard to quibble about this ground-breaking future-technology masterpiece but if we were forced to find fault…
The active radar cruise control automatically defaults to the longest setting which we reckon is too long – the car slows for a vehicle way in front and we found ourselves constantly adjusting the steering wheel-mounted control to the to the shortest setting.
And we would like a bit more side support in the front seats.
Verdict
We admit the Car Showroom team are all car enthusiasts and we appreciate new technology that advances the industry to deliver tangible benefits to customers – be that new high performance stuff from Porsche or Ferrari or in this case remarkable user-friendly hybrid drive that makes automotive life just a little easier on the planet.
We would defy anyone shopping for a mid-size high performance prestige sedan to sample the Lexus GS450h and not be impressed by its luxury features, on-road dynamics, performance – and of course that hybrid technology.
Some of the prestige German brands say a diesel hybrid makes more environmental sense than a petrol hybrid. Ultimately that may be so, but you have to give credit to Lexus for this technology which has been on sale globally for some years. Lexus has the runs on the board.
The Competition
It’s got to be the BMW 5-Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. If pushed, we would concede the Germans do have a slight edge in driving dynamics and refinement, but of course that don’t have that hybrid technology. And when you start comparing standard features with the Lexus, you’re heading into the territory of the 530 or even the 550 as well as the E350…which opens up further pricing complications.
Thumbs-up:
Absolutely brilliant technology; nice styling; extensive standard features; beautiful build quality
Thumbs-down:
Boot space not massive; front seats lack side support
