New 2009 Lexus GS

Vehicle Overview
The hybrid Lexus GS 450h emphasizes performance over fuel efficiency, with its gasoline engine and hybrid motors combining to make 340 horsepower, which about matches the 342-hp GS 460. The GS 450h has no hybrid competitors. The hybrid is a smidge faster than the GS 460. Lexus says the GS 450h can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds, while the GS 460 takes 5.4 seconds. The GS 450h's combined city/highway gas mileage is 23 mpg. That means it sips gas on par with the V-6-powered GS 350. There's a more compelling case when it's compared with the V-8-equipped GS 460, which has a lower combined city/highway estimate of around 20 mpg.

New for 2009
The GS 450h receives no significant changes for 2009.

Exterior
Virtually identical to the GS 350 and GS 460 sedans, the GS 450h sports Lexus' familiar face with its steeply raked headlights and thick C-pillars. An adaptive suspension continually senses road conditions to modify damping appropriately. A Sport mode incorporates tighter damping, and an optional active stabilizer system mitigates body roll even more. Several features that are optional on other GS sedans are standard on the GS 450h, including: moonroof, high-intensity-discharge headlights, rear park assist, rain-sensing windshield wipers and 18-inch wheels.

Interior
An electric-power meter replaces the tachometer in the leftmost instrument pod, while a dashboard information screen displays energy consumption statistics and an animation of real-time power routing. Otherwise, the GS 450h's interior is identical to other GS models. Because of intrusion from the hybrid system's two battery packs, trunk volume shrinks from 12.7 cubic feet in non-hybrid GS models to 7.5 cubic feet in the GS 450h. Standard interior features include: heated leather seats, ventilated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control and 10-speaker audio system. Available features include: electric rear sunshade and navigation system with 14-speaker audio system.

Under the Hood
The GS 450h's direct-injection, 3.5-liter V-6 engine is shared with Lexus' smaller IS 350 sedan. The 3.5-liter V-6 makes 292-horsepower, not including the electric motors. The V-6 teams with two electric motors — one providing power during startup, the other boosting acceleration — for a combined 339-horsepower. Energy is created by regenerative braking to charge the batteries for electric motors and the engine shuts off when car is at a standstill.

Safety
A full complement of electronic safety features centers around Lexus' Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management system, which is standard. Other standard safety features include: an electronic stability system, antilock brakes, electronic steering, electronic brakes, and an adaptive front lighting system swivels the headlights several degrees during turns to better illuminate corners. Front knee, side-impact and side curtain airbags come standard, while an available adaptive cruise control can sense impending collisions and alert the driver.