Covering cars around these parts, I’ve often been caught tearing into hybrids from various automakers. Whether via Toyota, Chevrolet or some other aspiring champion of green tech, this single voice in the automotive media world has no use for hybrids that are built poorly to save weight and designed deliberately ugly so potential buyer can advertise their faux global sensitivity.
Due to reviews like that, a few commenters on these reviews assumed I just hate hybrid cars. The thought is I’m just a gas-worshiping dinosaur resisting automotive evolution. Some of that might be true, but I have nothing against hybrids. I just believe they need to be held to the same standards as other cars in the aesthetics and built quality departments.
So, I’ve always embraced the hybrids coming out of Lexus. They offer that greatly increased fuel economy that makes hybrids appealing, while providing the exact same luxury, construction quality and driving pleasure as any of the automaker’s straight gas models.
The new Lexus GS 450h sedan is precisely that breed of hybrid. Attractively styled, extremely well-equipped and endlessly smooth to drive — all while employing the same hybrid technology that goes into sister company Toyota’s boxy Prius. Packing a 3.5 liter V6 capable of 338 horsepower from its combined gas and battery powered drive train, the car will max out around 138 mph. However, all of that power doesn’t cost you at the pump as the hybrid system pulls down an averaged mpg of 31. That’s considerable for a car the size of the GS. After all, its batteries come with a weight penalty, and this 450h hits the scales above two tons.
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Inside, the GS 450h offers all of the elite in-car technology Lexus offers in all of its other GS models — and most of the other cars in its line. The Lexis Enform Infotainment system is one of the most thorough technology packages available in a luxury car, and the 450h version adds the ability to monitor the engine and battery cooperative system that propels the car’s fuel economy. As with other GS trims, the hybrid includes multiple driving modes from Eco to Sport, as well as a Driver Attention Monitor and other tech assists to make any drive safer.
It goes without saying that the car comes with the obvious essentials of luxury rides — power everything, surround sound stereo, dual climate control, heated seats, etc.
Most importantly, the driving experience of the 450h is just as sharp, sophisticated and responsive as the straight gas version. It’s not as fast or as tight as the F Sport version, but you pay for that badge. This Lexus drives like a luxury car must, without any sacrifice of its character to meet the thin blooded demands of a hybrid.
Of course, like any other higher end Lexus model, all of this gas/electric harmony doesn’t come cheap. The MSRP starts just a hair under $70,000, and the current demand for hybrids makes talking that price down difficult. As always, the hybrid buyer need to decide if the savings in gas or the consideration of the environment warrants the additional expense.
