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Lexus GS 450h

New hybrid luxury car promises more thrills than before. Does the new GS deliver?

Lexus GS 450h front cornering

Text: Sam Hardy / Photos: Pete Gibson

November 2011

  • Rating:
The latest GS marks the opening of a new chapter, says Lexus. From now on, Toyota’s luxury brand claims it will build cars that are exciting to look at and to drive, as well as being faultlessly reliable and brilliantly equipped.

The new GS gets a more stylish body and rear-wheel-drive chassis with lots of gadgets aimed at making it more fun. There is no diesel option as yet – the range kicks off with the petrol- engined GS 250 – but there’s talk of a more affordable small hybrid, as well as the flagship GS 450h driven here.

So could this be the car to worry Audi, BMW and Mercedes?

It gets off to a good start. The latest GS is more angular and sporty than before, and stands out next to rivals such as the Audi A6 and BMW 5 Series. The new grille gives the front end some much needed aggression and the LED daytime running lights look smart, too. Sadly, however, the rest of the shape is a little bland.

Inside, better packaging frees up more front and rear seat space. It has a 482-litre boot, too – a 60 per cent improvement over the old car, thanks to the more compact rear suspension – which has allowed the hybrid’s batteries to be repositioned.

The interior looks much more modern. The cabin is simpler, with a mix of wood, leather and metal. There are fewer switches, and neat touches such as a Maserati-style clock on the dash.

The gadget count on our range-topping car was sky high. It boasted a huge optional 12.3-inch central colour display with sat-nav, and a truly stunning 835-watt, 17-speaker Mark Levinson stereo. Safety equipment includes collision mitigation (which alerts the driver of approaching objects that may cause a crash), and lane-keep assist.

On the road, the GS 450h is every inch the luxurious limo, floating over bumps in almost total silence. With 338bhp on tap from the electric-assisted 3.5-litre V6, 0-62mph takes 5.9 seconds and in-gear response is strong. The electric motors and petrol engine combine to rocket the car up to motorway speeds and beyond. So it’s a shame that the six-speed CVT box hurts refinement.

At full throttle, the transmission maintains high revs as the CVT’s gear ratio rises, which makes the engine drone. At least it’s more economical than its predecessor, returning 47.8mpg (up from 36.7mpg). CO2 emissions have been slashed, too – dropping from 179g/km to only 137g/km.

Can the new GS give sporty executives such as the A6 and 5 Series competition on a twisty road? Thanks to wider tracks, with double-wishbone suspension at the front and a new multi-link rear set-up, the GS is more stable and composed. 

There’s little in the way of body roll, and the steering has more weight than before. Thanks to adaptive dampers, the ride is generally very good, too. Choose an F Sport model and, as well as a bodykit and larger alloys, you can get Adaptive Variable Steering, which includes an optional rear-wheel steering system for extra agility.

The GS 450h still doesn’t engage the driver enough, though. Yes, you can put the car in Eco, Normal, Sport or Sport+ driving modes, which tweak throttle, suspension and steering response, but while the GS feels more agile in its racier settings, it doesn’t like being hustled. The steering never has much feel and the CVT gearbox is slow to respond.

But the new GS is definitely an improvement. Unfortunately, it’s not quite the big leap forward we were hoping for.

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11 Comments

Right car, wrong badge.

Unfortunately it doesn't carry a three pointed star, or a five ring circus, or a blue and white propeller.

By prosperity on 24 November, 2011, 6:42am

Fail

Like the smaller CT this is a fail from Lexus. The front looks agonisingly busy compared to the flawless lines of other models. I am disappointed.

By PAAdam on 24 November, 2011, 7:12am

potentialbuyer

Once again we have a review from someone who ignores the major issue, and instead concentrates on chucking around a limo. The biggest problem with the last GS was the tiny boot because of the batteries. Has that been sorted out?

By paulrouse1 on 24 November, 2011, 9:05am

lets get something clear, even if this was like a Bentley, the European market and also the press like AE will snub it. Lexus is a big player in the US market, here in Europe, they are a small player and only appeal to those who really want an alternative to the German standard.
It's interesting how AE always pins any car against the BMW, Merc and Audi, each one of these are different and offer something alternative.

It's the only hybrid in this segment, it offers refinement over sporty ride and control and the equipment level, fit and finish is incomparable. Therefore I would judge this on these merits.
The only German brand to offer equipment levels and plush in this segment is the Audi, the BMW and Merc are relatively poor. By AE will argue this.

By f1moh on 24 November, 2011, 9:50am

Colin Richards

I have driven a 400H for the last two years and in March I will update to a 450H as the 400 is the best car I have driven which includes all the German brands. I was told by the salesman at Lexus "once you have owned one you will always buy another" he was so right. We have a C Class and a TT and they are not in the same class as Lexus

By ColinBloomer on 24 November, 2011, 12:12pm

Comment at the top...

...if you have a problem with the badge thats your problem, not the cars!! Go and buy something predictable and German. I would take this fantastic looking car any day over an E class, A6 or 5 series.

By cousins11 on 24 November, 2011, 5:31pm

Colin Richards You are so wrong!!

I have owned 3 new Lexus cars the 300SE, and Gs 450h * 2.
All have been delivered with paint defects and All have been terrible on MPG. Hence Never again. I have the new 35d M Sport X3, it gives 40MPG out of the box, and out performs any Lexus on the road including all the V8's. NUF SAID.

By john550i on 24 November, 2011, 5:47pm

Lexus now and forever

Further to my off-hand comment above, my partner and I have purchased over twenty-two new cars over the years, including Fords (2), Hondas (2), Toyotas (4) and Mercedes (3). However, the last four have been Lexus, currently an IS250 and a CT200h. The Lexus have been the most enjoyable, reliable best finished cars I have driven, the service costs the most reasonable, and the dealer care the most courteous, professional and friendly I have experienced. If I buy another car, it could only be a Lexus.

By prosperity on 24 November, 2011, 10:18pm

@ Prosprerity.......the 'circus' in Ingolstadt only comes with 4 rings, please excuse my pickiness :-) I think this car could improve significantly in the metal.....I'm no longer sure about the riot of lines, shapes, colours etc on the front. What always strikes me as quite dumb is comparing apples to turnips. The interior shots instantly reminded me of Triumph 2000/2500's.....all that tan formica woodalike, except in the Lexus it is absolutely the real deal/wood. Expect there are other choices though. So am I right?? If this car steered a tiny bit better it would be king of the heap?? It seems to nail it in every other respect.

By barina47 on 25 November, 2011, 2:43am

What's in a logo?

barina47 ... Perhaps you can tell me if the BMW logo is a propeller to mark its origins as a manufacturer of military plane engines, or does it in fact reflect the blue and white of the Saxon flag?The Lexus logo is, as one would deduce, a stylised 'L' within an oval. The name 'Lexus' denotes luxury and elegance (NOT "Large Export Vehicle to the United States" as some pundits would have it). The GS offers other interior choices and handling options - one bound to be just right for barina47. Four or five, Lexus runs rings around Audi.

By prosperity on 25 November, 2011, 6:15am

I am buying GS F Sport ;)

I have owned BMW 530 V8, among few other saloons and it felt as fast as porsche but after only 2 years i was forced to sell it.
Not only because i could get 217miles with 70 something liter tank but mainly because I span twice on hardly wet road at 30 mph!!
Dont get me wrong, i loved that car, but made me so scared driving on wet.

Now I am proud owner of Lexus IS250 for the last 5 years and next month i will buy GS 350F Sport being driven latest A6 and 535 series for a week.

By Pcelica_Maya on 20 February, 2012, 3:06pm

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Lexus GS 450h front cornering
Lexus GS 450h badge
Lexus GS 450h dash
Lexus GS 450h front tracking
Lexus GS 450h rear three-quarters
Lexus GS 450h wheel
Lexus GS 450h rear seats
Lexus GS 450h boot

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FIRST OPINION

    So has Lexus delivered on its promise to improve the way the GS looks and drives? Well, it stands out more, and inside there are big strides in terms of space and quality. On the road, however, it still doesn’t engage in the same way as a 5 Series. Instead, it continues to play the cards it always has – it’s well equipped and relaxing to drive. Priced at around £50,000, though, the flagship is unlikely to attract many new buyers. Lexus needs a new small hybrid version. 

 

AT A GLANCE

    Price: £50,000 (est)
    Engine: 3.5-litre V6, 338bhp
    Transmission: Six-speed CVT, rear-wheel drive
    0-60mph: 5.9 seconds
    Top speed: 155mph
    Economy: 47.8mpg
    CO2: 137g/km
    Equipment: Bluetooth connectivity, parking camera, cruise and climate control, eight-inch display screen, 19-inch alloys, leather seats
    On sale: Summer 2012
     
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