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2009 Lexus GS 450h Performance Review

June 15, 2009

PERFORMANCE | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

gasoline and electric propulsion units really do work as a single entity
Automobile Magazine

the regenerative braking system otherwise stops the 2-ton GS 450h quickly and with reassuring authority
Edmunds

the continuously variable transmission never stopped hunting
Car and Driver

Hybrid powertrain lacks immediate kick of V8
ConsumerGuide

The 2009 Lexus GS 450h performs as well as a V-8—but doesn’t get much better fuel economy than its V-6 would alone.

ConsumerGuide notes that the "hybrid powertrain lacks immediate kick of V8, but does surge ahead with dispatch," an impression confirmed in Car and Driver: "when all the ponies and volts are online, the 450h is capable of respectable haste." According to Cars.com, this 2009 Lexus's "direct-injection, 3.5-liter V-6 engine is shared with Lexus' smaller IS 350 sedan," which teams up "with two electric motors—one providing power during startup, the other boosting acceleration—for a combined 339 hp."

Automobile Magazine points out "gasoline and electric propulsion units really do work as a single entity." Autoblog reports this Lexus 2009 vehicle is "tuned for even more performance and has the rear-wheel drive to handle it." Between the gasoline and electric motors, the power plant "will produce more than 300 horsepower and get the hybrid moving to 60 mph in less than six seconds—almost equal to the…V-8."

Automobile also notes that "the continuously variable transmission acts more like a standard automatic in its engine-braking abilities—just slide the lever over into 'S' and toggle down through six 'gears.'" This source adds that the "faux downshifting doesn't help with acceleration, but the GS doesn't need it." Car and Driver complains, "the continuously variable transmission never stopped hunting."

The 2009 Lexus 450h does "far less polluting than the diesel Benz—even the Bluetec version," says Automobile. Fuel economy is reasonable at EPA ratings of 22 mpg city and 25 mpg highway—but considering this Lexus 2009 vehicle is a hybrid, "[not] exactly a quantum leap…nor are they as good as the Mercedes-Benz E320 CDI's 27/37 mpg."

ConsumerGuide acknowledges that this Lexus 2009 model is "comfortably unruffled on smooth pavement" but points out "minor float over large humps." Brakes provide "strong stopping control, but...pedal action is either too mushy or too sensitive." Edmunds says that "[the] unusual pedal feel is quickly taken in stride, however, and the regenerative braking system otherwise stops the 2-ton GS 450h quickly and with reassuring authority." Car and Driver complains of "numb steering," adding that "the total absence of feel in the electric power steering reminded one tester of an early-'80s Lincoln Town Car."

According to ForbesAutos, "a sophisticated Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management system coordinates the car's electronic power steering, stability control and electronic brake system," allowing it to deliver "good road feel, ride comfort and cornering."

Conclusion

The 2009 Lexus GS 450h has reasonably good handling, but its hybrid powertrain doesn’t provide a substantial fuel-economy gain over the gas-powered version.

PERFORMANCE | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:gasoline and electric propulsion units really do work as a single entityAutomobile Magazinethe regenerative braking system otherwise stops the 2-ton GS 450h quickly and with reassuring authorityEdmundsthe continuously variable transmission never stopped huntingCar and DriverHybrid powertrain lacks immediate kick of V8ConsumerGuide The 2009 Lexus GS 450h performs as well as a V-8—but doesn’t get much better fuel economy than its V-6 would alone. ConsumerGuide notes that the "hybrid powertrain lacks immediate kick of V8, but does surge ahead with dispatch," an impression confirmed in Car and Driver: "when all the ponies and volts are online, the 450h is capable of respectable haste." According to Cars.com, this 2009 Lexus's "direct-injection, 3.5-liter V-6 engine is shared with Lexus' smaller IS 350 sedan," which teams up "with two electric motors—one providing power during startup, the other boosting acceleration—for a combined 339 hp." Automobile Magazine points out "gasoline and electric propulsion units really do work as a single entity." Autoblog reports this Lexus 2009 vehicle is "tuned for even more performance and has the rear-wheel drive to handle it." Between the gasoline and electric motors, the power plant "will produce more than 300 horsepower and get the hybrid moving to 60 mph in less than six seconds—almost equal to the…V-8." Automobile also notes that "the continuously variable transmission acts more like a standard automatic in its engine-braking abilities—just slide the lever over into 'S' and toggle down through six 'gears.'" This source adds that the "faux downshifting doesn't help with acceleration, but the GS doesn't need it." Car and Driver complains, "the continuously variable transmission never stopped hunting." The 2009 Lexus 450h does "far less polluting than the diesel Benz—even the Bluetec version," says Automobile. Fuel economy is reasonable at EPA ratings of 22 mpg city and 25 mpg highway—but considering this Lexus 2009 vehicle is a hybrid, "[not] exactly a quantum leap…nor are they as good as the Mercedes-Benz E320 CDI's 27/37 mpg." ConsumerGuide acknowledges that this Lexus 2009 model is "comfortably unruffled on smooth pavement" but points out "minor float over large humps." Brakes provide "strong stopping control, but...pedal action is either too mushy or too sensitive." Edmunds says that "[the] unusual pedal feel is quickly taken in stride, however, and the regenerative braking system otherwise stops the 2-ton GS 450h quickly and with reassuring authority." Car and Driver complains of "numb steering," adding that "the total absence of feel in the electric power steering reminded one tester of an early-'80s Lincoln Town Car." According to ForbesAutos, "a sophisticated Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management system coordinates the car's electronic power steering, stability control and electronic brake system," allowing it to deliver "good road feel, ride comfort and cornering." ConclusionThe 2009 Lexus GS 450h has reasonably good handling, but its hybrid powertrain doesn’t provide a substantial fuel-economy gain over the gas-powered version. 2009 LEXUS GS 450H STYLING | [8 out of 10] Car and Driver: "Like other Lexuses , this one features a beautifully finished interior" ForbesAutos: "Its styling is sexier than that of many other hybrids " Cars.com: "Virtually identical to the GS 350 and GS 460 sedans " Autoblog: ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

The Mercedes E320 BlueTec might also be considered a competitor by some accounts; it has an attractive, luxurious interior that's roomier than that of the GS, and its torquey turbodiesel engine provides surprisingly good acceleration and conservative EPA highway estimates of 23 mpg city, 32 highway. The Camry Hybrid and Altima Hybrid are the closest competitors, perhaps, but they're both about half the price of the GS 450h and don't provide anything close to the driving experience. Each of them, however, returns mileage in the 30s. Because no competitor hybrid models that emphasize performance exist, the 2009 Lexus GS 450h is in a class of its own.

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