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2007 Lexus GS 450h Road Test

No More Guilty Pleasures... About Driving That Is

Hybrids are slower, weirder and more expensive than conventional gasoline-powered cars, right? While not entirely false, the seriously odd Honda Insight - recently announced to finally be on its way to pasture - and futuristic Prius - about halfway through its second generation - continue to propagate such a mindset, but on the whole it is hardly accurate anymore. Take the new GS 450h. Not only does it look totally normal, and quite attractive to boot, but its faster out of the gate than the GS models base-line gasoline-powered 3.0-liter V6. Impressive, no? Certainly, but thats not even half the story. Amazingly the new hybrid is also quicker than the pricier V8-powered GS 430 from 0 to 60 mph, 50 to 80 mph, and scoots to a higher top speed.

And thats where the new midsize luxury hybrid blows away the pricing misconception too. At $55,595 it starts only a few thousand more than the V8-powered

Lexus wants to change our perceptions of what a hybrid car is all about. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

GS 430, and when loaded up with similar equipment to a fully-sorted 430, the pricing gap closes further. Did you get that? Its faster than a V8-powered GS, is equipped with a similar level of standard features, and is priced about the same (give or take some pocket change that should be redeemable via fuel savings at nearly $4 per gallon in California), right out of the box. So much for preconceived ideas.

At first glance its unlikely the average luxury car buyer will notice much of difference between the conventionally powered GS and the hybrid model, but side-by-side there are a number of unique details that separate the two. First off, the new

Nice wheels, fat low-profile tires and "HYBRID" script, no less. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

450h gets black vertical strakes for its waterfall grille, denoting its performance character, plus unique 15-spoke wheels feature a stylish chrome center spoke in each three-spoke cluster, for a personalized custom appearance. In front of each front tire is a wheel spat; a little plastic aerodynamic aid that guides air around the outside of the car, and if that airflow were to be followed down each side sill, matte-black and chromed rub strips highlight the rocker panels, capped off with "HYBRID" in bold, embossed text.

From behind, theres even less to differentiate the new hybrid from its conventionally-powered stable-mates, other than the chromed "GS 450h" badge attached to the back of the rear deckled. Chrome tailpipe tips look sporty,

The GS 450h doesnt look much different from a conventionally powered GS. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

a discrete spoiler accentuates the trunk lid, and when seen from a car-length or two away, its meaty, low-profile 245/40/18 front and 245/45/18 rear tires give it a look of substance.

Like the regular GS, that look of substance translates into superb road manners, even when flinging the big sedan through narrow, circuitous roads. And this, despite reasonably significant weight gain thanks to the battery pack lodged behind the rear seatback and additional electric hardware under the hood, results in a very even weight distribution of 51:49, front to rear. Actually, after a day of serious play, made up of high-speed jaunts and apex carving through a mountainous region in the Pacific Northwest, I actually felt as if the extra girth kept it planted to the ground more effectively than the regular GS. Either way, its

The GS interior is conservative, but wonderfully refined. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

as competent through the corners as any in this class, while delivering the level of ride comfort most German sedans cant, or choose not to achieve. You can even go one step further by opting for its Active Stabilizer Suspension System, a $3,400 extra that literally flattens out curves. Run-flat tires are a prerequisite with this feature, and a nice bonus all on their own.
But Lexus would probably rather I didnt focus on the cars civility, as Toyotas luxury division is already well enough known for pampering the occupants of its vehicles. Suffice it to say the GS 450h delivers one of the highest quality interiors in its class, with an elegant simplicity thats missing within its two most formidable German rivals, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Where the 5-Series is all origami angles with a big-screen, double-bubble infotainment monitor taking center stage, and the seriously "blingified" E-Class doesnt follow through

Theres lots of room in back for comfortable cruising. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)?

on its soft-touch, matte finish surface promises when you dig deeper by opening its center console, a process that reveals ghastly shiny plastic that appears more Auburn Hills than Stuttgart, the GS features a tastefully designed dash and center console, with impeccably finished surface textures of textured composites, real metal and richly grained woods. Its an interior fit for adults, not techno-wiz-kids or nouveau-riche rap stars.

Still, it isnt devoid of technology, or ultimately cool ways of displaying it. The Lexus delivers full-size infotainment too, albeit more civilly integrated within the center stack than others mentioned. Within the large screen is an optional back-up camera, effectively extending a drivers vision day or night, included with the optional DVD-based navigation system, with a myriad of helpful preset destinations, such as refueling stations, hospitals, restaurants, etc, plus an infotainment system that integrates one of the most enlightening OEM audio systems ever

The cool dropdown control panel offers multi-function access that can be stowed away, out of side. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press) ?

produced; the optional 14-speaker Mark Levinson unit that plays DVD/MP3/WMA discs via a 6CD, dash-mounted changer and includes an auxiliary jack for iPods and the like... heck, it even plays cassettes! Exclusive to the 450h, at least until 2007 model year GSs arrive later this year, is Bluetooth compatibility, while all Lexus infotainment screens are touch actuated - handy.

But Ive gone on too long about the GSs fabulous interior and its many features, although I havent mentioned my favorite item, the cool dropdown control panel at the lower left portion of the dash. It contains power mirror controls, the parking assist defeat button, the AFS defeat, the rear window power sun screen switch and also power trunk and fuel door releases. Its designed like a personal remote, a slick little interface that tugs on my XY chromosomes like the latest PDA, digital camera or hyper-powerful laptop.

This said, after a days journey the GS 450hs 10-way adjustable front seats are high on the love-in list, with perforated leather covered cushions integrating multiple heat

Its one attractive car that blows away the competition. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press) ?

settings as well as a fan for derriere ventilation - no, not for what youre thinking. Ive also forgotten to make note of its keyless, fobless, smart entry system and seriously trick "START" button, adaptive HID headlight system that bends the lenses to light up around curves in the road ahead, featuring headlight washers no less, rain sensing wipers that actually work, and full assortment of safety features such as every airbag that could be conceived of, yes even one for the drivers knees, plus an advanced ABS system, traction and electronic stability control, orchestrated to all work together via Lexus exclusive Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM). Oh, and dont just think that VDIM is just another run-of-the-mill acronym designed to baffle us into paying more for something we really dont need, it truly works wonders, even intervening to completely stop the car on its own if you or your significant other gets into serious trouble and removes hands from the wheel while closing the eyes and yelling "Oh my gosh!", or something likewise.

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