Lexus Gs Saloon
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Review Of The Lexus GS Saloon
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As ever, the GS is reliable, luxurious and well-equipped. This time, it’s the brands’ hope that it’s also a bit more exciting. It’s definitely more fun to drive, and it looks a lot bolder, too.
However, it’s got to fend off some very astute rivals in the likes of BMW and Mercedes who are getting better and better at hybrid tech.
OSV takes a closer look at what it’s all about with our 2017 Lexus GS Saloon review.
On The Road
The outgoing GS was more of a nondescript motorway cruiser that didn’t offer much by way of thrills and spills. For the 2017 vintage, Lexus has tweaked the suspension in the hope that the driving experience is sportier.
It is, but it’s also still a highly capable cruiser at speed. Adaptive dampers help to this end, soaking up lumps and bumps so you don’t feel them.
Lexus has also added a new electric power steering system that provides more muscle. However, despite the luxury of switching between four different driving modes, the car never feels as exciting as a BMW.[vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_single_image image=”57856″ img_size=”article-image”]In terms of the engines, our top pick is the GS 450h. It combines an electric motor with a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine to deliver up to 341bhp. This is enough to get you from rest to 62mph in just 5.9 seconds, and it can keep going until 155mph.
Lexus have paired it up with what they call a ShiftMatic gearbox. That’s just a fancy name for a CVT automatic transmission that’s standard fare on hybrid’s these days. It’s a neat ‘box that feels more like a traditional automatic, thanks to its six sequential steps.
Cruising out on the motorway, you’ll barely hear a peep. Up the ante and put your foot down, and you’ll have to make do with a loud droning noise that isn’t pleasant.
The 300h is the other hybrid. It combines an electric motor with a 2.5-litre petrol engine, which is enough to produce 220bhp. It can do 0-62 in 9.0 seconds, and has a top speed of 119mph. These numbers will be enough for most buyers, but the engine isn’t as rewarding as the more powerful 450h model.
Lexus GS Saloon Interior, Design & Build
[vc_single_image image=”57857″ img_size=”article-image”]Lexus are known for their luxury interiors, and they haven’t let us down here. The adaptive suspension does a good job of protecting you from broken roads, while the insulation keeps most external noises to a minimum. Even if you get tempted by the bigger wheels, you’ll have a pleasing driving experience.
The interior is completely new. It’s more upmarket than last time, and is generally better arranged, with the dials and buttons easier to find. There aren’t as many of them, with Lexus simplifying the layout for 2017.
A big 12.3” screen controls most of the GS’s functions, and you access it using a Remote Touch controller. While this sounds sleek enough, it’s kinda fiddly. It makes even simple operations a bit of a chore, and could become a source of frustration.
The cabin is bigger than last time, which means more interior space. Head and legroom are good, but no one has as much headroom as the driver, thanks to the lowered driving position. Legroom is also a tad compromised in the seat behind the driver (who clearly gets spoiled!).
Still, no one will be arguing about how comfortable the seats are. They’re plush and becoming of a car that costs over £50,000.
The boot has increased in size, and now measures 480-litres in the 450h version and 450-litres in the 300h variant. That’s still not as big as rivals, but it’s a step in the right direction and will probably suffice for most buyers. This is, after all, a four-door saloon, and not an estate.
Lexus were able to extend the size by moving the batteries from the boot to behind the back seat.
Equipment & Safety Of The Lexus GS Saloon
Standard kit is – as ever these days with Lexus – excellent. Included in the list price for the 450h is four-zone climate control, sat nav, leather upholstery, and Bluetooth connectivity.
The 300h, meanwhile, also gets sat nav, as well as adaptive cruise control, LED headlights, heated leather seats, and parking sensors.
Both models get a 12.3” display screen.
In terms of safety, you should have no worries at all. Lexus cars continually score 5/5 in their Euro NCAP crash tests, while the brand has an excellent record for reliability. In CarBuyers’ 2015’s Driver Power customer satisfaction survey, the Lexus GS came 20th. Out of 200 cars, that’s impressive.
Costs Of The Lexus GS Saloon
Prices for the new car start out from £36,135 and rise to £54,000. For more information on our leasing deals, check out our page here.
In terms of its running costs, part of the GS’ “fresh start” is its much lower tax bill. All models now cost just £130 per year in road tax. However, there is a caveat: If you opt for a model that costs more than £40,000, a £310 yearly surcharge is added. This results in a yearly tax bill of £440 for the first five years.
In a further blow, though Lexus claim the 450h model can return 46.3mpg economy, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll achieve that in the real world.
Pros and Cons Of The Lexus GS Saloon
Pros:
Looks Great
The Lexus GS has never looked better. If your decision comes down to looks, this one wins with its sporty spindle grille and slender LED headlights.
Lots Of Standard Kit
Lexus are super generous with their amount of standard equipment these days. The GS gets likes of sat nav, ventilated and heated front seats, and a seventeen-speaker stereo.
Reliable
Lexus’ reputation for reliability is sound, as is their dealer service.
Cons:
Potentially Hefty Tax Bills
If your GS costs over £40,000, you’ll be looking at a yearly tax bill of £440. For a hybrid, that seems extortionate.
Still Not As Fun To Drive As The BMW
Lexus went back to the drawing board and returned with a more drivable GS. But it still falls short of the standards set by BMW’s plug-in hybrid.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
Lexus GS Saloon vs Infiniti Q50 Hybrid vs Mercedes E350E vs BMW 530E
Let’s see how the fares against its rivals in the comparison section of our 2017 Lexus GS Saloon review.
Lexus GS Saloon vs Infiniti Q50 Hybrid
The new Infiniti Q50 Hybrid is a well-equipped, spacious and comfortable exec saloon.
It’s fast, too, and can do 0-62mpg in just 5.1 seconds with front-wheel-drive. Opt for the four-wheel-drive variant, and you can increase that time marginally to around 4.9 seconds. These are thrilling speeds, and the Q50 takes off like a rocket on start-up.
If you prefer, you can saunter along at low speeds on just electric power. When the 3.5-litre petrol engine kicks in, you’ll barely notice – until you really put your foot down, that is. At this stage, the Q50 gets all dramatic, feeling muscular and powerful.[vc_single_image image=”57858″ img_size=”article-image”]In terms of its running costs, it’s not super efficient. Infiniti claims that returns of a 46mpg economy are possible, while the car emits close to 140g/km of CO2.
Inside, an active-noise-cancelling system does a good job of keeping external noises at a minimum, but you will hear a slight engine noise when you put your foot down hard.
The cabin is upmarket and modern, with the dashboard getting two touchscreens. An 8” screen controls the Q50’s main functions, while a 7” screen controls the sat-nav.
It’s a practical car that has lots of interior space. The rear seats offer plenty of leg and headroom, while the boot measures 500-litres. You can fold the rear seats for more space.
Price:
Lexus – £36,135 – £54,000
Infiniti – £29,850 – £48,820
Lexus GS Saloon vs Mercedes E350E
The new Mercedes E350E offers reasonable performance, good efficiency, and lots of advanced tech.
Unlike the Lexus and the Infiniti, the E350E is a plug-in hybrid. It combines a 2.0-litre petrol engine with an electric motor to develop 282bhp. That ensures good pulling power, and the car can do 0-62 in 6.2 seconds before maxing out at 155mph.
That’s competitive for this class, even if it’s a long way off the speedy Infiniti’s numbers.[vc_single_image image=”57859″ img_size=”article-image”]To save on fuel, you can coast along on electric power only for up to 21 miles. That’s not so competitive, as most rivals – including the Lexus – last longer. The batteries, meanwhile, take 3 hours to charge fully.
The petrol engine is fast but unrefined, and on the whole, the driving experience is relaxing more than fun. It’s a fairly heavy car, and body lean in bends is an issue. It’s far from nimble, although it’s composed at speed.
In terms of its running costs, Mercedes claim it can achieve up to 134g/km of CO2. In the real world, it’s unlikely that you’ll achieve that, but the E350E Saloon will still be cheap to run. It also has just 11% BiK, which makes it ideal for company car drivers.
Inside, the car looks similar to the S-Class – which is certainly no bad thing. You get treated to a double 12.3” widescreen display, which has helped to modernise the cabin.
Aesthetically, the interior is pleasing. The ergonomics are excellent, the driving position is just right, and everything is well laid-out. It’s the kind of quality interior we’re used to from Mercedes.
It’s a spacious car too, its long wheelbase providing ample room for passengers to stretch their legs. Storage spaces include a big glovebox and a central storage located between the two front seats, while wide opening doors make access easy.
The boot measures 400-litres, which is over 140-litres smaller than the standard E-Class.
Price:
Mercedes – £35,200 – £57,300
Lexus GS Saloon vs BMW 530E
[vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_single_image image=”57860″ img_size=”article-image”]Able to last 29 miles on just electric power only, the new BMW 530E is the German brand’s best shot so far at a plug-in hybrid executive saloon.
It’s a force to be reckoned with on the road, with its turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine combining with the electric motor to deliver 276bhp. That’s enough to rocket it from rest to 62mph in just 6.2 seconds.
That’s slower than both the Lexus and the Infiniti, but it handles better. Moreover, those speeds will be fast enough for a lot of buyers.If you want, you can turn it into a fully electric car using Max eDrive mode. Doing so cuts the power somewhat and transforms the 530E into a relaxing motorway cruiser that can coast it at speeds reaching 87mph.
Then, when you want to crank things up, just fire up the petrol engine for some serious fun on twisting roads, where the BMW 530E Saloon copes admirably.
In terms of its running costs, BMW claim it can return up to 141.2mpg. As we always say, though, these numbers are just for reference and will be next to impossible to achieve in the real world.
Inside, the plug-in hybrid variant is as impeccable as the standard 5 Series. It’s just the same, with the only exceptions being a new instrument cluster and dials for the EV modes.
This means you get the classic horizontal dashboard, high-quality materials, and the brand’s iDrive system.
You get almost as much practicality – you get the same amount of interior space for five adults (which is good), the same storage spaces (including decent-sized cubbyholes, door bins and cup holders), but you get a smaller boot. Whereas the standard 5 Series measures 530-litres, the 530E measures 410.
You get a flat boot floor, though, but it is significantly smaller than the Lexus.
Price:
BMW – £44,750 – £48,000
Verdict Of Our 2017 Lexus GS Saloon
The executive saloon sector has been dominated for too long by the big German’s. If you want something different that still looks classy, drives well, is reliable and offers strong performance, the GS is a good place to look.
The new Lexus GS Saloon can offer better tax deals for company car drivers, and is so well-equipped that you won’t need to spend a fortune on optional extras. In many ways, it makes so much sense.[vc_row content_placement=”middle” css=”.vc_custom_1464089844166{margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1494257310211{margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;border-bottom-width: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”]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