Lexus GS 450h Luxury 4dr Car Review - April 2012

The comfortable suspension takes the edge off all but the largest of bumps and potholes, but the counter for this is that there is a little bit of body movement whilst cornering. The handling for the GS is quite good with steering that is quick to respond, but it does feel like a large car particularly when you're driving around town. The driving position is very good and offers a good range of adjustment for the seat and steering wheel, but the 'Remote Touch' system on the centre console is really quite fiddly to use while driving.

The engine performance delivered by the hybrid engine is more about combining performance with reasonable efficiency rather than simply getting the most mileage, and this means that performance is quite good. Acceleration from 0-62mph is achieved in 5.9 seconds, while the top speed of 155mph is more than enough for most drivers. The level of refinement is very quiet at low speeds, but things can get noisy at motorway pace.

The GS is quite attractive for a large saloon, and has a grille that is well balanced with the large headlight clusters, with an understated air intake and only the slightest hint of a bulge in the bonnet. The curves of the car are fine, and the roof slants nicely towards the tidy rear end which sees the tail light cluster split between the body and the boot door and the small tail lights at the bottom of the rear bumper are a nice touch. The interior is very classy and comfortable, although there are quite a few buttons that are a little small and fiddly at times.

As you would expect with a Lexus there is plenty of equipment included as standard with this model, with leather seats and alloy wheels both nice features in the car. Satellite navigation is included with the model, as is a CD stereo with a multi CD changer and Bluetooth connectivity.

The GS is a fairly spacious car that offers plenty of room and can easily accommodate four adults or five at a push. The boot is of a reasonable size and on the whole the GS is a practical saloon. Lexus also has an excellent reputation for reliability, and the GS is likely to continue this.

It is a very safe car to drive with an amazing ten airbags to be found in the cabin to look after the driver and passengers should they become involved in an accident. There are a number of driving aids including stability control and traction control, and these have helped the car achieve five stars in the Euro NCAP safety test.

As with any Lexus there is a premium to be paid for the levels of luxury and equipment included with the car, and this model has a list price of £44,995. There are some remarkable cars available for this price, which is why some people will baulk at buying this Lexus.

The running costs are boosted by the hybrid engine which is able to deliver fuel efficiency of an average 46.3mpg while still performing very well. The high insurance group does mean that premiums aren't cheap, and depreciation is also a big problem for the GS. The car is supplied with a three year or sixty thousand mile warranty, and has roadside breakdown assistance throughout this period.