Lexus GS 450h F Sport E-CVT
Car review by Sam Hardy
What is it?
The start of something new, Lexus says. The fourth-generation GS is meant to herald a new dawn of interesting to look at, great to drive cars as Lexus wants to move on from its image of producing very reliable and well-equipped models and inject some excitement.
So the latest Lexus GS, a business car rival in the BMW 5 Series executive car class, is all-new: it’s wider and taller and has a re-designed body. The interior has been heavily revised with a vast new central digital display, while the engine range even has a 207bhp 2.5-litre V6 for the entry-level GS 250. The only other model is the GS 450h hybrid which comes with an updated 338bhp 3.5-litre V6 and electric motor combo. It’s available in M Sport-style F Sport trim with lots of handling gizmos aimed at making it fun to drive. There’s no diesel, but Lexus is planning an entry-level petrol hybrid which is said to compete with the BMW 520d on emissions and fuel economy.
That’s not for a while though – in the meantime the GS range has arrived in Lexus showrooms with the GS 250 costing from £32,995 and the GS 450h from £44,995, which we’ve tested in F Sport trim.
What’s hot
- It certainly looks more distinctive at the front with LED running lights…
- …and a dramatic new grille. F Sport versions get a racy bodykit and 19-inch alloysInside the cabin has taken a big step forward. There are high-quality leathers…
- …metals and even bamboo. A Maserati-style clock finishes things off nicely
- The centre screen is huge and can be upgraded to 12.3-inches
- Equipment levels are still extremely generous with standard satnav and parking cameras and a very sophisticated air-con system
- There’s more space inside and the hybrid batteries have been repositioned so the boot is 60 percent bigger
- The hybrid engine is fast: it can do 0-62mph in 5.9 seconds but
- …it also returns 47.8mpg (up from 36.7mpg) and 137g/km (down from 179g/km)
- So if you want one as a company car then the company car tax is just 19% for the GS 450h Luxury E-CVT in 2012/13
- Adaptive suspension makes for a smooth ride and the new chassis offers greater stability while the steering has more weight
- The F Sport has four-wheel steering and a variable steering rack and feels very agile indeed
- It’s still a great high-speed cruiser, the engine settling to a hush on the motorway, the big seats soothing away the miles
- Safety kit includes lane departure warning, adaptive cruise and collision mitigation
- The optional Mark Levinson stereo is incredible
- Lexus dealers treat you like absolute royalty
What’s not?
- Apart from the front end the rest of the design just looks a little bland
- The CVT gearbox is hesitant and causes the engine to drone when you demand lots of acceleration
- We’re dubious of Lexus’ economy claims as hybrids rarely get anyway near their posted figures
- A BMW 5 Series is more engaging to drive and feels better built. Plus there are a wide range of diesels to choose from, including now an EfficientDynamics version
- The GS 450h F Sport costs a hefty £50,995
- The old GS didn’t have great residuals. Will the new one be any better?
