While front-seat accommodations are fine for the vast majority of people, the rear seat is only adequate in terms of space and access, due to the low roofline. There are three seat belts back there, but only children won’t mind sitting in the middle.
One thing that is common across the Lexus model range is the quietness of their cabins, and the GS is no exception.
Hunchback styling
The GS 450h is distinguished from its non-hybrid counterparts by bluish-glowing logos and appropriate identification on the rocker panels. And that’s about it. So if you want a hybrid just so people know you’re driving a hybrid, the GS doesn’t flaunt it all that much.
Electric motors aside, the Lexus GS and its hunchback styling seems to be a precursor as far as luxury sedans go; both the new Acura TL and BMW’s upcoming 5-Series GT have adopted it.
Competition
The GS 450h starts at $63,050, while an Ultra Premium Package is available for $6,600 and includes a navigation system, a Mark Levinson 14-speaker sound system, a rear spoiler, rear-seat side airbags and a backup sensor. The hybrid GS has no real competition, as the only fuel economy-minded, mid-size luxury sedan is the $68,100 Mercedes-Benz E320 BlueTEC, which is about to be replaced.
In general, though, the Lexus GS battles the likes of the following: Acura RL, Audi A6, BMW 5-Series, Cadillac STS, Infiniti M, Jaguar XF, Lincoln MKS and Volvo S80. The mid-size luxury sedan segment is both crowded and competitive.
One thing that is common across the Lexus model range is the quietness of their cabins, and the GS is no exception.
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| There are three seat belts back there, but only children won’t mind sitting in the middle. |
Hunchback styling
The GS 450h is distinguished from its non-hybrid counterparts by bluish-glowing logos and appropriate identification on the rocker panels. And that’s about it. So if you want a hybrid just so people know you’re driving a hybrid, the GS doesn’t flaunt it all that much.
Electric motors aside, the Lexus GS and its hunchback styling seems to be a precursor as far as luxury sedans go; both the new Acura TL and BMW’s upcoming 5-Series GT have adopted it.
Competition
The GS 450h starts at $63,050, while an Ultra Premium Package is available for $6,600 and includes a navigation system, a Mark Levinson 14-speaker sound system, a rear spoiler, rear-seat side airbags and a backup sensor. The hybrid GS has no real competition, as the only fuel economy-minded, mid-size luxury sedan is the $68,100 Mercedes-Benz E320 BlueTEC, which is about to be replaced.
In general, though, the Lexus GS battles the likes of the following: Acura RL, Audi A6, BMW 5-Series, Cadillac STS, Infiniti M, Jaguar XF, Lincoln MKS and Volvo S80. The mid-size luxury sedan segment is both crowded and competitive.
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| The GS 450h starts at $63,050. |