by Cheryl Eldridge
To drive a Lexus is to fall in love with a Lexus. I have always been an avid lover when it comes to Lexus and there is no turning back. Last week, I had the pleasure of testing a GS450h four door sedan coated in starfire pearl. Elation was high, for not only was I test driving a $70K, fully loaded automobile, the GS450 held its slogan true to “the pursuit of perfection.”
The Lexus GS 450h’s continuously variable transmission (CVT) boasts an upgraded Sport mode for 2014. Lexus says it’s been optimized to feature eight steps rather than six to make it feel more like the GS 350’s eight-speed automatic. Apple iPhone integration is also enhanced with the addition of Siri Eyes Free voice control functionality. Other additions this year include a full color readout for the optional head-up display, rear cross-traffic alerts for the optional blind-spot monitoring system and an optional power trunk opener. The night vision system has been discontinued.
While the typical hybrid car is all about maximizing mpg, luxury hybrids have a more complicated mission. They cater to well-heeled buyers who also want brisk acceleration, responsive handling and an elegant interior loaded with amenities. As a result, these high-end green machines are often quite enjoyable to drive, but the fuel-efficiency gains over their conventional, gasoline-only counterparts are often quite modest. The 2014 Lexus GS 450h is unique in that it offers the features and performance expected of a midsize luxury sedan while delivering the big fuel economy numbers that many hybrid shoppers expect.
Powering the 2014 Lexus GS 450h is a hybrid powertrain that combines a 3.5-liter gasoline V6 engine, two electric motor/generators and a trunk-mounted battery pack to provide a total system output of 338 horsepower. A total system output of 338hp is sent to the rear wheels through a CVT. Of course, the real appeal here is the GS 450h’s impressive fuel economy. With a combined EPA rating of 31 mpg, this Lexus shines as one of the most fuel-efficient models in the luxury sedan segment.
Evaluated solely as a midsize luxury sedan, the GS 450h also hits the mark. The GS is a pleasure to experience on the open road, with capable handling and a refined and quiet ride quality. The interior is one of the classiest you’ll find with its high-quality materials and excellent build quality, and the backseat is sufficiently roomy for a pair of adults. Of course, a comprehensive set of standard and optional high-tech features awaits you as well.
The 2014 Lexus GS 450h is the hybrid version of the regular GS 350 sedan.
Standard equipment includes 17-inch wheels, an adaptive suspension, adjustable drive settings, automatic LED headlights, LED running lights, heated and auto-dimming mirrors, automatic wipers, a sunroof and keyless ignition/entry. Inside the cabin you get cruise control, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated eight-way power front seats with lumbar adjustment, driver memory functions, leather upholstery, a heated power-adjustable tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and a power rear sunshade. Electronic features include Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, a rearview camera, the Safety Connect emergency communications service and a 12-speaker surround-sound audio system with a six-CD changer, satellite radio, an auxiliary audio jack and an iPod/USB audio interface.
The optional navigation system brings with it a larger 12.3-inch central display screen, voice controls and the Enform suite of smartphone app features. My Luxury package added 18-inch wheels, LED foglights, adaptive headlights, additional front seat adjustments, rear climate and audio controls, manual rear side sunshades, and upgraded leather upholstery and wood trim. By the way, the rear seats were heated.
Stand-alone options include different 18-inch wheels, an automated parallel parking system, an active lane-departure prevention system, adaptive cruise control and a forward collision warning system, blind-spot monitoring, a head-up display, a power trunk opener and a premium Mark Levinson 17-speaker audio system.
Lexus estimates that the GS 450h will go from zero to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds, which is a tenth of a second quicker than Lexus’ quoted time for the GS 350. The EPA’s estimated fuel economy is excellent for a luxury sedan at 31 mpg combined (29 mpg city/34 mpg highway).
On the safety side, the 2014 Lexus GS 450h comes standard with antilock brakes, traction and stability control, a rearview camera, front and rear side airbags, side curtain airbags and front knee airbags. Also standard is the Lexus Safety Connect system, which includes automatic collision notification, an emergency assist button and stolen vehicle location services.
Optional features include blind-spot monitoring (with rear cross-traffic alert) and a lane-departure warning system that can steer you back into place should you fail to act. Adding the optional adaptive cruise control includes a frontal collision warning system that detects an impending collision and responds by pre-tensioning the seatbelts and activating brake assist.
Though the GS 450h has not yet been directly tested, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave its gasoline-only equivalent, the GS 350, the best possible rating of “Good” in the moderate-overlap frontal-offset, side-impact and roof strength tests. Seat and head restraint design were also rated “Good” for whiplash protection in rear impacts.
In the best Lexus tradition, the GS 350h features a finely crafted interior marked by soft leather and rich wood and aluminum trim. Befitting this caliber of luxury sport sedan are seats that are firm and cosseting in equal measure, and limited only by the degree of power adjustments you choose.
The GS 350’s Remote Touch multimedia controller is more problematic. This small, mouselike device adjacent to the gear selector makes sense conceptually, but cursor control is wobbly and imprecise, and making audio or navigation selections is even harder when you’re on the move. Further complicating the process is the system’s lack of a physical “back” button and the fact that all the icons are the same color. That said, I did like the impressively large 12-inch display that comes with the optional navigation system as well as the optional Mark Levinson audio system, which sounds fantastic.
Total luggage capacity for the trunk measures 13.2 cubic feet, just a bit less than the regular GS 350. Still, most conventional midsize luxury sedans have bigger trunks. As in the GS 350, the GS 450h’s rear seats don’t fold down.
Until next week, drive safe, buckle up, it’s the law.
