Lexus GS Saloon 2005 - Present

When the Lexus first launched the GS series in 1991 they were stepping in with some formidable opponents. Make no mistake the 5-Series BMW, Mercedes E-Class and Audi A6 represent the Ali, Frazier and Foreman of the motoring world; Fast, Powerful and all good over long distances. The Lexus came into the ring something more like Two Ton Tony Galento, built for comfort rather than speed and as a result didn't initially trouble the big three. Now in it's third revision the Japanese Executive Saloon has trimmed down and is more suited to being mentioned in the same breath of it's legendary rivals if not quite ready for a title fight.

The Lexus GS is an attractive car. It looks impressive as it sits at the side of the road and if you see one drive past you can't help but be struck at how nicely it holds itself on the road and impressively it eases away into the distance. Inside the car your expectations are more than met.
The interior is refined and extremely well thought out. Legroom is good front and back although the room in the back is somewhat dependant on the seat in front not being right back but unless the driver insists on wearing stilts to drive a comfortable compromise should be easy enough to reach. The seats come as leather on all but the most basic models and should at worst be looked at as a deal breaker.
The Sound insulation is superb with next to no noise coming in from either the engine or the cabin. The GS450 model runs completely silent when stationary, cruising or at low speeds as it runs on electricity alone, even when running in the petrol option it claims to be the quietest in it's class. The stereo is also top quality offering the sort of sound that you'd expect to find in a recording studio, this coupled with the quiet ride means listening to your old CDs will be a completely new experience.

The engines available all offer a good level of power and performance although unless you count the hybrid 450 option they are not great on fuel consumption, although no worse than any rivals. The GS300 returns a little under 30 mpg and the 430 a little under 25. The 450 hybrid boasts 35.8 mpg overall which is adequate but still doesn't compete with the efficiency shown by many of the German models. The cars are set up for long journeys and will cover motorway miles with ease. There is power to accelerate up the sliproad on the motorway and once there the 50-70 acceleration is as quick as the 0-60 performance, which makes overtaking a breeze. They will cruise effortlessly for hours on end and the only thing you'll need to stop for it more fuel.

The third version of the GS is leaner and tauter than previous models and as a result is much more nimble when off the motorway. The cornering is still a little uncertain and really best suited to the motorway. You'll find yourself with city minis overtaking you at every turn in town, but driving the GS you'll be listening to Simon Rattle conduct the Berlin symphony orchestra as you drive and racing round the one way system will be a million miles from your mind.

The Lexus GS has shed quite a few pounds and really got into shape to go toe to toe with the big boys in the class. It's maybe muscled it's way in to contention but doesn't look like it's done enough to take the title just yet although it's a good car and can now at least claim to be a contender.

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