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Lexus GS 450h | Luxury Hybrid Car Review
Hold on to your hybrid, the Lexus GS 450h has single-handedly redefined an entire car category. Unlike any other hybrid vehicle on the road today, the 450h offers a rare combination of beauty, power, luxury, and eco-friendliness. It has been labelled the fastest hybrid car (capable of accelerating from 0-60 mph in 5.2 seconds), the safest hybrid car (with options like power-active vehicle stabilizer, run-flat tires, and a precollision system) and the first rear wheel drive hybrid. But even with a starting price of $55,000 (expect to pay more) the hybrid GS is only about half the cost of the most expensive hybrid car, a ranking currently held by it’s bigger, V8 powered brother, the Lexus LS 600h L. More about that beast later.
Lexus introduced U.S. drivers to the GS line in 1993, followed by a complete redesign in 1998. The first hybrid version of the GS was released in 2006 (as a 2007 model year) as part of the third generation lineup. While most hybrids are built for fuel efficiency and reduced emissions, this hybrid sport sedan is built for speed and performance. The GS 450h is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 combined with two souped-up electric motors and a battery pack. The combined result is nearly 340 hp, more than many V8’s can boast. At the same time, this 450h is able to manage 25 mpg in city driving and 28 mpg on the highway. Here in lies the magic of a hybrid, and in this case with no compromises.
A few of the toys and options available in this Lexus hybrid include voice-activated GPS navigation (with back up camera), integrated Bluetooth hands-free calling, a 16 speaker Mark Levinson audio system, and heated/ventilated seats. You’ll also get dual front airbags, seat mounted side impact airbags, and front knee airbags. Full specs and options can be found on the official GS website here. Overall, if you’re looking for a hybrid sedan and can afford the GS 450h, it’s hard to find many reasons not to give this one a strong consideration. On the other hand, the hybrid Prius and hybrid Camry also provide Toyota’s hybrid synergy drive at about half the cost.
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More Reviews and Videos of the Hybrid GS 450h:
Video and full review from CNET
Edmunds
Forbes Review
MotorTrend
Pingback by Hybrid Insurance | Discounts & Cost of SUV / Hybrid Car Insurance on 15 November 2008:
[…] but consume MORE than their gas-only siblings with similarly-sized engines. Cases in point are the 2008 Lexus GS 450h, which is rated at only 23 mpg (combined) and the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid that is rated at 32 […]
Pingback by 2010 Lexus HS 250h Concept Unveiled In Detroit | Green Luxury Sedan on 18 January 2009:
[…] performance cars – fuel economy, not so much. Though Lexus has put out three other hybrids (the GS450h and LS600Hl sedans and the RX450h SUV), this newest one seems to be the one on which they have […]
Pingback by 2009 Lexus LS 600h L Review, Specs, Cost | Ultra Luxury Hybrid on 12 April 2009:
[…] reduced emissions, you might be better off buying the LS 460L for about $35,000 less, or the GS 450h for about half the […]
Pingback by 2009 Lexus GS 450h | Price, MPG, Specs, CO2 on 25 May 2009:
[…] a 3.5 liter V6 engine with an electric motor to deliver 340-hp. Largely unchanged from the previous 2008 Lexus GS 450h, the 2009 boasts an unmatched safety and reliability rating. It requires no plug-in charging, and […]