Mixed Review: Lexus GS450h Road Test

Bentley Arnage, not FS will be the competition.
No RR in the 150k to 200k range.

Soory for the post.
Overkill yes.
No bring on the turbo diesels.

I must say this is a fairly astute assesment of the car, and I do agree that the 430 (soon 460 (yay!!))is a better way to go. I don't agree with the writers view of the exterior styling, and.... you can turn off the VDIM which I guess he does not realize, but otherwise a good honest review.

Exteriror styling is a matter of taste.
But let's wait for the GS460 with 380HP. It will eat competitors and i'm sure it will have great handling too.

"But let's wait for the GS460 with 380HP. It will eat competitors and i'm sure it will have great handling too."

You're forgetting the new, beautiful E550. It has the same power as the GS460, with more pleasing lines, and an utterly beautiful combination of ultra-luxury and speed. The GS's interior is nice, but some of the wood colors are less than flattering.

When does the GS430 become the GS460? By the way I like the styling on the GS, especially with the five spoke wheels, in black. Sweet.

They should have a neutral person (no fan of any particular brand of car) review these cars because you can tell this was a German fan, maybe Cadillac fan who wrote this. I actually saw a video clip of a random person who drove a Mercedes E-Class, a BMW 5-series, and a Lexus GS. Guess what? He said that the Lexus handled as good as the Mercedes. He said that it handled differently than the BMW, but definetely not worse, and he said the luxury features were outstanding on all of the cars, but more user friendly on the Lexus. See, a person who isn't stuck on any make of cars would pick the better car, which is Lexus. That is why this article is such crap.

"Guess what? He said that the Lexus handled as good as the Mercedes."

That's not much of a feat, as Mercedes-Benz isn't world-renowned for the handling capabilites of the E-Class. The old E, which was probably the one compared (before the '07 update), wasn't much of a handler at all.

I Like the Design of the GS, 450 is a tad Heavy but the next Generation of hybrids should sort that out somewhat.

Driving Experience is what it is supposed to be. Very Quiet & Luxurious with More Than Ample Acceleration.

If it is not for you Fine. To say it is a compramise (mromar Learn to spell correctly)
is downright Silly

They Look better Live than they Look in Pictures

Best Colour for this car is All Black

The GS has a very elegant, flowing, sleek design.

I like it a lot.

The IS, however, is my favourite of their line-up.

BTW, the GS interior? GORGEOUS!

Onyx black is a very striking color for the GS.

I think the silver and gray colors are very appealing too.

"The styling tells the story with its bold lines, broad shoulders and stunning lack of attention to detail. Up front, the GS’ trapezoidal grille– flanked by ovoid lenses and rhombus-like headlights– inflict geometric overkill on an otherwise cetacean canvas. Sadly, the GS' tall frame kills an otherwise sporting profile; everything south of the beltline looks obese and clumsy."

I couldn't have said it better. The old GS had taut, simple lines. This one is a mess.

An unscientific poll- people come in to look at the GS- both new customers and current previous gen owners. It's about 85% for the new one, and 15% who prefer the previous gen. For what it's worth.

An unscientific poll- people come in to look at the GS- both new customers and current previous gen owners. It's about 85% for the new one, and 15% who prefer the previous gen. For what it's worth.

The new GS is hands-down a better body style. I know IS 300 owners were sad to see the IS 350 body style, but there are always loyalists to any car. Proves the older car was worth it.

I really don't like the color choices of Lexus'. There can be more, where can I get a pink one ;).

Why in the world would you want a pink car? I've unfortunately seen one before and let me tell you, it ain't pretty.

see the wink - there's sarcasm there.

Definitely Black is best though, to be serious.

What the article said was the ride was too rough. Well, this Lexus wasn't designed for a smooth ride, it was designed for sport handling. I've ridden in one and let me tell you, they accomplished just that. While the ride isn't as smooth as the LS, it does hold up really well in tight turns and heavy acceleration.

lexusis350,

You just can't win when you are having a discussion with emotional, and mental, midgets.

Apparently not. They just can't face the facts that German car companies have a major threat that has started taking over their profits.

Black is the best color!

I totally agree. Though I much prefer metallic black over a non-metallic black. Most base colors are the regular black and they aren't nearly as sharp.

Will, I'm sorry I like simplicity, not messes. My last car was an '00 A6 2.7T, and there was nothing about it that wasn't pleasing to the eye. It looks a bit bland today, sure. But that's where my new car comes in.

And no matter how simple the S4 Cabriolet's design is, in the color I have it in, it catches more stares than some of the most expensive cars on the road. Like the SL65 I saw in the city yesterday- more people were looking at my car. His was silver.

"I just cannot understand how primarily all German fans on this site find the new S-Class and CL-Class to be "exquisite" yet call the GS a "mess!" How is that so? I too like simplicity. The GS is as simplisitc as it gets, yet still elegant. (I thought many of you agreed, the way all of you insist that Lexus designs are bland. But of course, you guys are just full of contradictions.)"

It's complicated. For the record, I'm very tired of my wife's Lexus, and eagerly awaiting her new car in January (too bad I have to pay for it). It's perfectly ample... but that's it. I've driven a couple of my friends' LS430s, and I've driven my friend's A8L, and I've driven a new S-Class. I just don't see a single reason to buy the Lexus over the A8 or S. The GS is the same way. It's a perfectly average car in its segment. It's not over-powerful, overtly luxurious or even that stylish (IMHO the A6 and E-Class have slightly nicer interiors). Lexus isn't a design leader right now, Will, and I wish you would recognize that. With only seventeen years of experience, one shouldn't expect them to be.

Here are my standings with a Lexus in each segment:

Entry sport/luxury

1. Audi S4
2. BMW 3 Series/M3
3. Audi A4
4. Infiniti G35
5. Lexus IS
etc.

Midsize Luxury

1. Mercedes-Benz E/Audi A6 tie
2. BMW 5 Series
3. Infiniti M
4. Lexus GS
etc.

Full-size Luxury

1. Audi A8 / Mercedes-Benz S-Class tie
3. Jaguar XJ (my wife's favorite candidate for her next car)
4. Volkswagen Phaeton / BMW 7 Series tie
6. Lexus LS

Midsize Luxury SUV

1. Range Rover Sport
2. BMW X5
3. Lexus RX / Porsche Cayenne tie
5. Infiniti FX
6. Anything but a Mercedes ML

Full-size Luxury SUV

1. Lexus LX470 / Range Rover / Audi Q7 three-way
4. Cadillac Escalade
5. Mercedes-Benz GL
6. Infiniti QX56
7. Lincoln Navigator

Luxury Convertible

1. Jaguar XK
2. Mercedes-Benz SL (a close second)
3. BMW 6 Series / Mercedes CLK tie
5. Lexus SC

As you can see, the only Lexus I truly admire is the LX470. I believe this is where Lexus excells: a big, comfortable, ultra-luxurious offroader with a high (but not overdone) dosage of style. Even in its eighth year, I love it. One reason it's a true player is because it demands no sporting pretense, and luxury is what Lexus does best. Otherwise, someone would have to pay me to pick a Lexus over the others compared to them.

Here's my favorite Japanese cars of the moment:

1. Infiniti M45
2. Acura RDX
3. Infiniti FX45
4. Infiniti G35 Coupe
5. Acura TSX

Ouch.

And Will, you forgot Porsche.

My 10 favorite German cars:

1. Porsche 911 / Audi R8
2. Mercedes-Benz S-Class
3. Audi A8
4. Audi S4/RS4
5. BMW M5
6. Audi S8
7. Porsche Cayman S
8. Mercedes-Benz SL
9. BMW 760Li
10. BMW Z8 (discontinued)

Looking at this unbelievable array of cars, it makes me wonder why everyone isn't a German car fan.

BTW, I'd prefer that Pearl White color if I had to get a GS.

But if I had to get a GS, I'd wait for the GS460.

I'm glad I don't have to make that decision.

009,I love Lexus style,and I think the GS is a great looking vehicle..I don't care what you or anyone else has to say about it!!