2009 Lexus GS 450 Hybrid
- 2008 Lexus GS 450 Hybrid
Based on analysis of 56 GS-Hybrid reviews and test drives.
Lexus GS 450 Hybrid - What the Auto Press Says
The 2009 Lexus GS 450 Hybrid ranks 3 out of 12 Luxury Large Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 56 published reviews and test drives of the Lexus GS 450 Hybrid, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
The Lexus GS 450 Hybrid is a "mild hybrid" that won't give you Prius-like fuel economy numbers. But it will cost less at the pump than anything BMW, Mercedes-Benz or Infiniti can offer -- and perform like them as well. Along with the its conventionally-powered GS cousin, the GS 450 Hybrid was named the U.S. News Best Car for the Money in the luxury car class.
The Lexus GS Hybrid is currently the only hybrid-powered full-size luxury sedan. It offers a sumptuous passenger cabin, attractive styling, excellent safety ratings and a driving experience that leaves little to be desired -- and an EPA rating of 22/25 mpg -- about what you'd expect from a V6-powered family car
A few cautions are in order: the hybrid powertrain adds substantial cost to the vehicle, and taller reviewers consistently complain of insufficient headroom. But if you're in the market for a large luxury sedan, this eco-friendly model is worth a test drive.
The GS hybrid will have green competition soon. Mercedes may introduce a hybrid-powered E-Class sedan for the 2011 model year.. Infiniti has said a hybrid-powered M is in its future as well. But those cars aren't here yet. For the foreseeable future, if you're interested in a luxury hybrid smaller than Lexus' large LS600h, this is your car.
You might, however, want to look carefull at the math behind the hybrid. It is substantially more expensive than its gas-powered cousin, and some reviewers say you won't recoup those costs in the lifetime of the car.
The GS 450 Hybrid comes in only one trim level. Its equipment list is close to comprehensive, but a handful of upgrades are offered. Nothing about the GS 450 Hybrid has changed for 2009.
- "The 2009 Lexus GS 450h offers power and luxury, without costing a bundle at the pump. But merely average cabin tech suggests waiting for a model update." -- CNET
- "If you love everything about the comfort, quality and prestige of owning a Lexus but want to go the extra mile when it comes to performance, technology and environmental awareness, the GS 450h is for you. Anyone concerned about dabbling in new technology - particularly the kind that commences on the side of $57,000 - might feel more comfortable in a conventional alternative like the equally sporty GS 460." -- Kelley Blue Book
- "Lexus's boast for the GS 450h is a tall one, but not unrealistic: that it blends V8-style acceleration with fuel economy typical of 6-cylinder cars and exhaust emissions usually associated with 4-cylinder engines." -- Consumer Guide
- "Truly green-minded consumers will likely find that this model doesn't bring about nearly the amount of fuel savings one might expect of a car with a hybrid badge. But those wanting maximum thrust with minimum thirst in a truly elegant wrapper will no doubt be entirely satisfied." -- Edmunds
- "With most hybrids, including the current Prius, the strangeness of their mechanicals sometimes shows through. The hybrid system in the GS450h is so highly evolved that its only remaining unusual behaviors are positives." -- Automobile Magazine
- "It's smooth, it's meticulously crafted, it's packed with technology, and it may reflect the future of the automobile. But soul is conspicuous only by its absence here. " -- Car and Driver
GS-Hybrid Performance - 9.0 (Excellent)
Lexus engineered the GS 450 Hybrid with an eye for performance, and the automotive press agrees that the car's hybrid powertrain approximates the feel of driving a V8-powered car. CNET raves, "Our perfect power train combines high performance with excellent fuel economy, an ideal that the 2009 Lexus GS 450h comes the closest of any car we've seen to delivering." Its electrically-assisted steering feels artificial to some reviewers, however. Read More
GS-Hybrid Exterior - 8.4 (Very Good)
The 2009 Lexus GS 450 Hybrid's exterior is one of Lexus' best. Forbes says the body pushes "the art of subtlety to its limits," with only a small badge to differentiate the hybrid from its conventionally-powered sibling. . Read More
GS-Hybrid Interior - 8.2 (Very Good)
Reviewers run out of superlatives when describing the GS 450 Hybrid's cabin. "Like other Lexuses, this one features a beautifully finished interior enhanced by a touch-screen secondary-control collective that makes those of the other cars seem even more unnecessarily complicated," writes Car and Driver. But reviewers offer one caveat: Even the driver's seat can be too small for taller drivers. Read More
GS-Hybrid Safety - 8.7 (Very Good)
Few safety agencies have done any testing on the GS 450 Hybrid, but it includes an extensive suite of safety gear. Its conventionally-powered cousin achieved perfect scores in Insurance Institute for Highway Safety testing. Read More
GS-Hybrid Reliability - 7.0 (Good)
The 2009 Lexus GS 450 Hybrid reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). The GS 450h is covered by a basic warranty lasting for 48 months or 50,000 miles. Hybrid powertrain components are protected separately, with an eight-year warranty. Read More
