Lexus GS450h Car Review

Facts At A Glance
Car: Lexus GS450h
Prices: £43,035-£47,280 - on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 17-18E
Emissions: 180g/km
Performance: 0-60mph 5.9s / Max Speed 155mph
Fuel Consumption: (combined) 35.8mpg
Safety: Twin front airbags, side, curtain and knee airbags, ABS, EBD, VDIM, Pre Crash
Dimensions: (length/width/height) 4825/1820/1430mm

GS450h: Hybrid Luxury

Our Rating: No Rating Available

Lexus launched the GS line a few years back and was met with a wall of resistance in the UK. One of the main reasons was that not many executives felt comfortable parking a Japanese-made luxury car in the executive car park of their corporation. The other reason there was a lot push back was because frankly the car just wasn't that great. Lexus went back to the drawing board and has released the latest version that may very well be the first non-German executive saloon to be taken seriously in quite some time.

In order to stand out amongst the German competition Lexus has taken a huge risk by not having a diesel burner power plant under the bonnet. Instead the car maker has opted to focus their eco-friendly engine option on their impressive hybrid technology. By putting a hybrid engine in a power car Lexus will most likely change the landscape for every luxury auto manufacturer across the world.

The best part about the hybrid engine in the Lexus GS450h is the fact that it does not lack in power. The engine is a petrol 3.5-litre V6 which when combined with the electric engine drivers on 300bhp. What makes this engine truly special is that it employs some technology that allows the petrol engine to shut off completely during braking. After the petrol engine shuts down the electric engine acts as a super-powered generator which then optimizes energy management by recapturing the kinetic energy that is stored in the high-powered battery.

This battery system is 100% maintenance free and Lexus guarantees it for 100,000 miles. Lexus uses the same technology in the GS450h that it also uses in their sister company's Toyota Prius. Of course there have been a few tweaks to make the engine suit the larger car. They have enhanced the Hybrid Synergy Drive to use the boost convertor which increases generating abilities. No matter what speed or road type the hybrid technology under the bonnet of the GS450h is constantly monitoring the driving style of the owner and making adjustments to create the perfect amount of energy use.

Of course the true thing that sets the Lexus GS450h apart from the German cars with large diesel engines is its impact on the wallet and the environment. Fuel consumption is said to be an estimated 35.8mpg combined. Emissions fall all the way to 180g/km which is way below the petrol and diesel options offered by the other auto manufacturers.

Lexus has also amped up the safety features in the entire GS line. All the cars now come with something called the Pre-Crash Safety system what works with the seat belts and brakes to help anticipate a potential crash situation. Lexus has also equipped the GS class with front seats fitted with active head rests that inflate and move to help prevent whiplash in a rear-end impact.

The Japanese car maker took a huge risk releasing a executive-class vehicle without an diesel option, but just like they did with the Prius this will most likely change the how the world views larger hybrid cars. Of course the real trick will be to see if people who are used to spending tons of money on a luxury car will car about the environment or lower fuel costs.