  2009 Lexus GS 450h Ultra Premium. Click image to enlarge |
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2009 Lexus GS
Inside Story is a review of interior comfort features, cabin controls, storage options, trunk space and under-hood accessibility based on a seven-day evaluation.
Ever get the feeling you need a little more cowbell?
When it comes to luxo-sport sedans, one of the best ways to avoid the Reaper of Public Opinion is to go green. As much as most manufacturers possess some form of hybrid or clean diesel technology, few have stuck to their guns like Lexus. It’s one thing to offer a ‘nilla hatch with leaf badges (“green” not “Toronto”); it’s downright bold to stick an ‘H’ emblem on the back of your six-figure flagship, the LS 600h L. In fact, the most expensive 2009 Lexus you can buy is a Hybrid; the $144,000 LS 600h L with the Premium Executive Package. And while the difference in mileage and carbon dioxide emissions with the gas versions of the GS and LS are not what we would call Honda Insight territory, both ‘H’ versions keep you smiling with impressive thrust. This week, Inside Story takes the mid-size GS 450h for a spin, with an MSRP of $69,650 with the Ultra Premium Package. (Prices shown do not include freight, taxes, regional or promotional incentives.)
 2009 Lexus GS 450h Ultra Premium. Click image to enlarge |
As much as I love the servo-nirvana of an easy-entry power tilt/telescope wheel, when will the folks at Lexus finally discard the Camry-esque cruise control stalk at the 4 pm position? (So many other manufacturers do so well with well-placed steering wheel tabs.) Wheel function tabs access audio, driver information display, Bluetooth phone access, and voice-activated prompts. The driver’s info screen includes average speed maps, hybrid/gas/both energy monitor, range, average fuel consumption, and current fuel sip.
Headlamps and wipers benefit from auto sensitivity. The IP provides a kilowatt meter in place of a tachometer, with an indicator quadrant for the gear ‘range’ of the CVT when in manual sport-shift mode, which has yet to enjoy the availability of steering wheel-mounted paddles. The voice-activated Navi head is a treat to use, with instant map re-calculations. Voice quality with a Blackberry Pearl Bluetooth handshake is landline-smooth. Impress your junior exec posse with the real-time energy monitor screen. The display also provides rear camera views, assisted by parking sensors front and rear. For those who still have their self-improvement/Flock of Seagulls tapes, a Logic Control cassette deck is provided. An electric windshield warming bed is found within the climate control screen.
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at 8:13 am
Nice review of a sweet ride Michael. Lexus continues to improve. Thanks for sharing. Ryan
at 7:56 pm
This review does not accurately portray how little room there is in the Lexus GS. At 5′9″, there is simply not enough legroom in the backseat to stretch out your legs. Take a look at the 2010 Prius’ backseat, and you’ll understand why seat-mounting brackets should be mounted along the b-pillar and center console (results in more footroom under both the driver seat and passenger seat. The Lexus has no excuse for its inefficient use of space. Plus, the battery of the GS450h really shouldn’t take up so much space. If only Toyota would invest in a better platform (the new HS250h shamelessly claims to package the hybrid battery better, when in reality the fuel efficient Corolla has better cargo space (and a more Lexus-look). However, Michael’s comment about the Lexus’ cruise control stalk is unwarranted. Many people who drive in Canada do not use cruise control in the first place, and placing cruise control buttons on the steering wheel could potentially cause an accident if they were placed along with frequently used buttons (eg. audio and temperature) on the steering wheel.