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2008 Lexus GS 350 Safety Review

July 22, 2008

SAFETY | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

No data available
NHTSA

Good," frontal impact and side impact
IIHS

all-around visibility is good
ConsumerGuide

There is no shortage of good safety equipment available for the 2008 Lexus GS 350 and the 2008 Lexus GS 460.

TheCarConnection.com found no crash-test data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), but notes that the demanding Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the 2008 Lexus GS its highest rating of "good" in both front and side impact tests. The IIHS tests were performed on a 2006 model, but are considered applicable to both the 2008 Lexus GS 350 and 2008 Lexus GS 460.

Edmunds reports that the 2008 Lexus GS has "a total of 10 airbags, including front and rear seat-mounted side airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags and full-length head curtain airbags...standard [2008 Lexus] GS 460 safety equipment includes antilock brakes with brake assist and stability and traction controls." Additional optional equipment includes "run-flat tires [and] Lexus Link communications."

Cars.com notes that in addition to a full complement of airbags, the 2008 Lexus GS's "optional pre-collision system incorporates active braking, which can trigger the brakes automatically under certain conditions...[an] advanced stability system anticipates instability or skidding before it occurs, monitors actual versus intended action, and helps correct problems using a mix of braking, throttle and steering control."

ConsumerGuide remarks that "all-around visibility is good despite moderately shallow side and rear windows," due to the fact that 2008 Lexus GS seats are "set fairly high."

Conclusion

The favorable IIHS ratings and extensive list of safety features indicate good crash safety in the 2008 Lexus GS sedan, but the NHTSA hasn’t completed its tests.

SAFETY | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:No data availableNHTSAGood," frontal impact and side impactIIHSall-around visibility is goodConsumerGuide There is no shortage of good safety equipment available for the 2008 Lexus GS 350 and the 2008 Lexus GS 460. TheCarConnection.com found no crash-test data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), but notes that the demanding Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the 2008 Lexus GS its highest rating of "good" in both front and side impact tests. The IIHS tests were performed on a 2006 model, but are considered applicable to both the 2008 Lexus GS 350 and 2008 Lexus GS 460. Edmunds reports that the 2008 Lexus GS has "a total of 10 airbags, including front and rear seat-mounted side airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags and full-length head curtain airbags...standard [2008 Lexus] GS 460 safety equipment includes antilock brakes with brake assist and stability and traction controls." Additional optional equipment includes "run-flat tires [and] Lexus Link communications." Cars.com notes that in addition to a full complement of airbags, the 2008 Lexus GS's "optional pre-collision system incorporates active braking, which can trigger the brakes automatically under certain conditions...[an] advanced stability system anticipates instability or skidding before it occurs, monitors actual versus intended action, and helps correct problems using a mix of braking, throttle and steering control." ConsumerGuide remarks that "all-around visibility is good despite moderately shallow side and rear windows," due to the fact that 2008 Lexus GS seats are "set fairly high." ConclusionThe favorable IIHS ratings and extensive list of safety features indicate good crash safety in the 2008 Lexus GS sedan, but the NHTSA hasn’t completed its tests.  2008 LEXUS GS STYLING | [8 out of 10] Edmunds: "the same rakish styling" Kelley Blue Book: "the best-looking Lexus sedan" ConsumerGuide: "Lexus-typical cabin decor" The 2008 Lexus GS offers great, if not superior styling inside and out. Kelley Blue Book says "the GS brings a ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The 2008 Lexus GS 350 is considerably sportier in feel than the standard E350, with a suspension that's more firmly tuned and exhibiting an increased high-performance sensation. It also comes across as more performance-oriented than the A6, lining up the S6 as a fitter competitor, with its 340-horsepower V-8 that takes on the GS 460. But the S6 has all-wheel drive, a feature that's not available on the GS 460. The BMW 5-Series is the most natural competitor; compared to the GS, the BMW also has a firm ride and rather cramped backseat, along with some high-tech options (including night vision, which isn't available on the GS), but its steering is more direct. Infiniti's M sedans, the M35 and M45, are also rivals to the GS. They have much roomier interiors but a similar, sporty driving feel, with powerful engines and electronic driving aids, although interior noise is a bigger issue on the M than any of these rivals. Altogether, it's less of a family conveyance than most of these cars, due to its interior, but it packs a lot of driving enjoyment.

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See the Lexus GS 350 in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007

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