Review and photos by Michael Clark
Photo Gallery: 2008 Lexus GS450h
Can opulence have the soul of a tree-hugger?
The product planners at Lexus seem to think so, especially when you start to swing a stick at the current luxo offerings from the Big L. The GS has always been one of those press vehicles that usually gets a 'from my cold dead hands' response, when the next-in-line scribe calls me up for their turn. While the hybrid addendum is both timely and noble, one has to wonder where all of that architecture is going to be crammed, especially into the innards of vehicles that possess nary a dash of 'ute. The 450h has an initial MSRP of $71,100. The tester shown gets the additional dab of the Ultra Premium Package, which is currently price-pending, according to the consumer website.
2008 Lexus GS450h. Click image to enlarge
The Cockpit
The wood is good, with the additional leather wrap on the three-spoker direction poker. (Take THAT, steering wheel!) Tilt and telescope functions get their move on with a column-mount power toggle. Headlamps receive the all-important Auto setting, as do the wipers, with adjustable rain sensitivity. Control tabs on the spokes manipulate audio, Bluetooth phone call/end, and speech actuation for the Navi, as well as the driver info display in the gauge pod.
In the Out Of Place Department is the cruise control stalk at the 4 PM position, a fugitive from a lowly Camry. Instrumentation is minimal, with engine temperature, gearbox range, and the tachometer that thinks it's a hydro meter. In all, there are three points of reference for the driver and passenger to be fully aware of which drive system is afoot. One is truly enough.
Top photo: drop-down panel to the left of the wheel; Bottom photo: centre stack. Click image to enlarge
The console shift gets a manu-gate, with switching found aft for suspension firmness, transmission algorithms, and traction control shut-down. The driver's door gets full Auto window lifts for all panes, and three programmable presets for the driver's seat position. A drop-down control panel to the left of the driver is the home of mirror positioning, rear sunshade lift/descent, interior lighting intensity, park assist engage/cancel, and headlight wash sync with the wiper controls. If you ever leave the panel down, and try to exit the vehicle, be prepared to make notes on the new profanities that you expel, when the soft tissue of your inner knee hits the corner. The floor-mount pedal for the parking brake has moderate opportunity for pantaloon snag. It's high time for an electric version, especially in the company that a Lexus keeps.
The Centre Stack/Technotronic
The Navi/functions touch screen isn't as formidable as the War and Peace owner's manual would suggest. Map clarity is the benchmark to which all makes should aspire, including POI accuracy. Pull out your In Search Of Excellence tapes! The Mark Levinson ear-drool audio system handles DVD audio discs, as well as the lowly cassette. The climate control system is best accessed through the touch screen. For those who still ignore Health Canada's warning labels, the ashtray borrows a page from high-end cassette players, with a soft-eject release tab next to the lighter/12-volt DC powerpoint.
Cubbies!
Unlike the suburban family truckster of yore, a cubbie in a Lexus is a subtle affair. The front doors get tip-out compartments, with smaller no-tip pockets found in the rear doors.
Top to bottom: rear door pockets; sliding, lit vanities in front visors; front seats get 10-way power adjustments; "delightful" yellow space-saver spare; hybrid batteries eat into cargo space. Click image to enlarge
The glovebox makes an attempt at compartmentalization, failing miserably, as denoted by the War and Peace owner's volume, floating around loosely in the trunk. In the same location as the knee-denting driver controls drop-down is a flock-lined coin bucket. The centre console gets a sliding top cover for comfort, which flips up to reveal a top tray, with a flock-lined interior. There is a second 12-volt powerpoint, and the MP3 auxiliary jack. The front dual cupholder has a removable centre cinch, with single spring-loaded tabs. Not very grabby, and ultimately, quite Camry in feel. The front seatbacks get expandable hard-surface pockets. The drop-down centre armrest spits out a dual C-cinch cupholder system.
Look up; waaaay up!
Plenty of cool white ambient LED lamps light the way for nighttime ingress/egress. Sunroof controls don't get any easier than this. There's a drop-down sunglass holder, and Homelink keys on the auto-dimming rear view mirror. Dual visors get sliding action, and lit vanities.
Seat treat
Both front driver and passenger receive full 10-way power adjustments, as well as three-step settings for both heating and cooling. I need a coat made from these supple hides. Now. Though not true shingles, the rear headrests sink down into a seat indent for improved rearward vision.
Spare care
A removable tool tray organizer reveals a delightful Clown Yellow space saver. Welcome to the real estate compromises of the hybrid system. Lexus will change that ridiculous rubber biscuit for you, for the first four years of ownership, regardless of mileage accumulated.
Cargo embargo
Looks can be deceiving. Approach from a distance, and the GS 450h gives away little as to the cramped confines of the trunk. The hybrid batteries are contained between the rear seat and the new trunk wall, so forget about a pass-through. The floor does receive cargo hold-down cleats.
The mill:
Outside of simple fluid checks on the hybrid-boosted 3.5 litre V6, just back away slowly. You're not wanted here.
The Verdict:
2008 Lexus GS450h. Click image to enlarge
It's not that I don't love our planet. I just love my condominium-sized golf bag more. If you can live with the rental clubs, then the GS 450h is a bold, upper class environmental statement. I continue to be annoyed by the creep-in of obvious Toyota pieces for this marque. That's why the GS, in gas or hybrid form, continues to plateau at 4 stars.
Next week: Cadillac CTS
