Let’s get the supposed negative out of the way right off the bat. If you are looking for a luxury sports sedan that rivals the German automakers for sporty handling, then the Lexus GS 450H is not the car for you. Lexus has never been able to match Mercedes-Benz or BMW for sporty handling. However, that’s a little like saying Miss America can’t play the banjo! Maybe she can’t, but she certainly has other attributes that make her a winner, as does the GS 450H.
To begin with, the GS 450H, because it is a Lexus, is the epitome of luxury. Sit down inside this beauty and you will instantly realize the strengths of the Lexus brand. Lush interior, leg and head room, all the technology you could ask for, and a ride so quiet you will practically forget that you are driving, those are the strengths of any Lexus luxury car. And for a new twist, the Lexus GS450H combines power and fuel efficiency with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that works in tandem with a high-output electric motor to give you the power of a V8 without sacrificing fuel consumption.
In other words, as with all Japanese import cars, technology has taken a quantum leap forward to give car buyers a brand new concept on the market.
This is a powerful car. It makes the leap from 0-60 in 5.5 seconds and probably the most noticeable thing about it is that the electric motor runs the car until it hits 15 mph and then shifts into fuel mode, but the driver does not sense the change at all. It is one smooth transition and really, that is as good a description of any Lexus model as we can devise. Lexus prides itself on making automobiles that offer luxury and a smooth ride.
The Lexus GS 450H debuted in 2007 and changes have been minimal since that first model. With a little patience you can find a used model for between $25,000-$30,000, and considering that it is a Lexus and their reputation for quality craftsmanship, that would almost be like buying a new car.
No, this is not a sporty ride, but seriously, unless you live in the heart of the Rocky Mountains why do you need to worry about handling on extreme curves? Go out on a date with this Miss America and quit nitpicking over her lack of banjo talent. This girl is loaded with so much more!