Life in the fast lane with Lexus GS 450h

The Lexus GS 450h F-Sport has six driving modes to choose from

Ready, Steady, Go!

The acceleration in the Lexus GS 450h F-Sport model is something to behold, especially in Sport S+ mode – you really are pushed back into your seat as you hit the accelerator. The only problem is it ends way too soon as you reach the speed limit in seconds.

Outwardly, the Lexus GS 450h F-Sport is a sedate and respectable, if slightly angry looking, hybrid.

The cockpit in the Lexus GS 450h is comfortable and very driver-focused

It’s very much its own car in looks and feel though and is far more aggressive looking than the Executive model, which I drove at the Irish launch in June.

Strong and sturdy on the outside, its cabin is sheer sophistication. The test car had a plush and luxurious-looking cream leather interior with brushed chrome inset on the dash and the cup holder cover.

Before you even push the start button, this car is enveloping you in its charm.

A smart car in every sense of the word, from the moment you fasten your seat belt this car swoops into action, without prompting, adjusting the driver’s seat and the steering wheel to your favoured position. Both front seats in the model I was driving were electric.

Precision adjustments to the position of the steering wheel could also be made using a button at the side of the steering wheel column.

I also liked that the wing mirrors adjust downwards when you put the car into reverse. Coupled with the very good reversing camera, which takes over the large screen in the centre of the dash, this really makes reverse maneuvers very easy. The wing mirrors readjust to their former position when you disengage the reverse gear.

The rear sun blind also lowers when you put the car into reverse.

The front seats in the F-Sport model are electric and can be heated or cooled

The screen in the dash was controlled by a computer mouse-like device in the centre console which was easy to work once you figured out its sensitivity.

I’m generally not a fan of centre storage units/armrests because they usually get in my way, but Lexus for me has scored well here as well, with the armrest actually performing as such for me.

The centre storage unit also houses the USB and aux ports, which supplement the car’s radio/CD/DVD/DAB.

Although presented as a five-seater, the Lexus GS 450h is probably more comfortable for adults as a four seater. The middle seat in the back can be pulled down to create a storage unit with cupholders.

Legroom both back and front is excellent in this car and the boot is also very large.

While the F-Sport model I was driving had most of the bells and whistles you’d expect of an executive car, including cruise control, auto lights, auto wipers, heated and cooled front seats and Bluetooth, it didn’t have SatNav, which is available as an option.

Driver-aids aside though, you really need to put this car in Sport mode to see its personality shine through.

The 3.5-litre petrol hybrid automatic test car had six driving modes – Electric Vehicle (EV)/Eco/Normal/Sport/Sport S+ and Snow. it also had paddle gears.

Obviously, at this time of year, we didn’t get to test Snow mode, but all of the others performed well. Needless to say, for the sheer exhilaration, Sport S+ was my favourite.

The Lexus GS 450h Executive model isn’t as aggressive looking as the F-Sport

In the GS 450h Lexus has produced a very clever car. I was very impressed with EV as it seemed to last longer in this mode than I’d noticed with other hybrids. It was great for city traffic, which I spend a lot of my time in.

Don’t be surprised if pedestrians are slow to move out of your way though – it’s probably because they haven’t heard you gliding along in the silent EV mode.

While all of the driving modes are quite powerful, you can really feel the acceleration when you put it into Sport, and most especially in Sport S+ mode.

At the lights, it left everybody standing with the short bursts of acceleration it took to reach the speed limit.

Although in tax band C, the Lexus GS 450h is very much eco friendly and you really only see the petrol tank go down when you’re in Sport.

There are also various screen options when you’re driving so you can see exactly how the car is being powered at any one time.

Soundproofing in this car is also pretty good, it actually sounds like you’re in a plane.

Overall, I was quite impressed with the GS 450h. It’s enjoyable to drive in all modes but especially fun in Sport S+, it can be very efficient and it’s also a beautiful looking car, with beautiful interior styling – I also loved the analogue clock.

The Lexus GS 450h is available now, with prices starting from €59,950 for the Executive model. The F-Sport model I was driving costs from €72,950, with the top of the range Premium costing from €76,250.

Tech Spec:
Engine: 3.5-litre V6 petrol hybrid
Acceleration: 0-100km/h in 5.9seconds
Maximum Speed: 250 km/h
Combined fuel consumption: 6.2l/100km
CO2 emissions: 145g/km
Annual road tax: €330 (Band C)

Visit lexus.ie or the Lexus Ireland Facebook page for further details.