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2009 Lexus GS Full Review
Date Published: 5/15/08
Also in the 2009 Lexus GS Review:
2009 Lexus GS
Sneak Peek
The 2009 Lexus GS should see no major changes. This is the sportier of Lexus's two premium midsize cars. The GS lineup starts with the GS 350, which has a 303-hp 3.5-liter V6 engine and 6-speed automatic transmission. It's available with rear- or all-wheel drive. The GS 460 has a 342-hp 4.6-liter V8 and an 8-speed automatic. Also available is the gas/electric hybrid GS 450h. The GS 450h teams a gasoline V6 engine with an electric motor to produce 339 hp. Like other Lexus and Toyota hybrids, it can run on one or both of its power sources, depending on driving demands, and requires no plug-in charging. The GS 450h has a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The 460 and 450h are rear-drive only. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, front side airbags, rear side airbags, and front knee airbags. Also standard are leather upholstery and keyless entry/engine start. Many control functions are via a dashboard touch screen that also displays an available navigation system and rearview camera. Other available features include steering-linked headlamps and Lexus's Pre-Collision System, designed to automatically cinch seatbelts and apply brakes if an unavoidable crash is detected. This report is based on evaluations of the 2008 Lexus GS.
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2009 Lexus GS Road Test
| Pros | Cons |
| Acceleration | Rear-seat room |
| Ride | |
| Quietness | |
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration
4.6-liter V8 engine gives GS 460 lots of go. Lexus quotes 5.4 seconds 0-60 mph, which feels credible to us. The 8-speed automatic transmission changes gears frequently, but it's smooth overall and a good match to the engine. Lexus bills the GS 450h as a high-performance hybrid. The gas/electric powertrain lacks the immediate kick of a V8, but 450h does surge ahead with dispatch. A test example did 0-60 mph in 6.1 seconds. Overall, the hybrid system calls little attention to itself.
| GS 460 | GS 450h | Class Average |
| 8 | 7 | 7.2 |
4.6-liter V8 engine gives GS 460 lots of go. Lexus quotes 5.4 seconds 0-60 mph, which feels credible to us. The 8-speed automatic transmission changes gears frequently, but it's smooth overall and a good match to the engine. Lexus bills the GS 450h as a high-performance hybrid. The gas/electric powertrain lacks the immediate kick of a V8, but 450h does surge ahead with dispatch. A test example did 0-60 mph in 6.1 seconds. Overall, the hybrid system calls little attention to itself.
Fuel Economy
In Consumer Guide testing, a GS 460 averaged 22.8 mpg, impressive even for a vehicle driven mostly on the highway. A GS 450h averaged 22.7 mpg in city/highway driving. All GS models require premium-grade gas.
| GS 460 | GS 450h | Class Average |
| 5 | 6 | 4.5 |
In Consumer Guide testing, a GS 460 averaged 22.8 mpg, impressive even for a vehicle driven mostly on the highway. A GS 450h averaged 22.7 mpg in city/highway driving. All GS models require premium-grade gas.
Ride Quality
Sharp bumps too easily make their way through to the passenger compartment with the 18-inch or available run-flat tires. Setting the adjustable suspension to Sport mode causes the ride to become almost brutally stiff. Some testers also complain of minor float over large humps.
| GS 460 | GS 450h | Class Average |
| 5 | 7 | 6 |
Sharp bumps too easily make their way through to the passenger compartment with the 18-inch or available run-flat tires. Setting the adjustable suspension to Sport mode causes the ride to become almost brutally stiff. Some testers also complain of minor float over large humps.
Steering/Handling/Braking
No GS feels as agile as a BMW 5-Series. Still, cornering lean is modest, and grip and balance are both good. Steering is quick enough on all GS models, but it can feel a bit overassisted on the hybrid. Stopping control is strong but to some testers, the pedal action is either too mushy or too sensitive.
| GS 460 | GS 450h | Class Average |
| 7 | 7 | 6.6 |
No GS feels as agile as a BMW 5-Series. Still, cornering lean is modest, and grip and balance are both good. Steering is quick enough on all GS models, but it can feel a bit overassisted on the hybrid. Stopping control is strong but to some testers, the pedal action is either too mushy or too sensitive.
Quietness
Less isolated than the Lexus norm, but GS equals most any class rival for hushed refinement. The one annoyance is coarse-surface tire thrum. Wind rush is impressively low. GS 450h's engine sounds slightly raspy while accelerating, but it's nearly inaudible at idle.
| GS 460 | GS 450h | Class Average |
| 8 | 8 | 7 |
Less isolated than the Lexus norm, but GS equals most any class rival for hushed refinement. The one annoyance is coarse-surface tire thrum. Wind rush is impressively low. GS 450h's engine sounds slightly raspy while accelerating, but it's nearly inaudible at idle.
Controls
Gauges are large and legible. Switches for such functions as power-mirror adjustment, trip-odometer reset, and fuel-door release are in a drop-down pod to the lower left of the steering wheel. This compromises access to these controls and, if left open, can hit the knee of a driver entering or exiting the vehicle. Also complicating things is the touch screen control system, which governs too many functions, muddling what should be simple adjustments.
| GS 460 | GS 450h | Class Average |
| 4 | 4 | 6.4 |
Gauges are large and legible. Switches for such functions as power-mirror adjustment, trip-odometer reset, and fuel-door release are in a drop-down pod to the lower left of the steering wheel. This compromises access to these controls and, if left open, can hit the knee of a driver entering or exiting the vehicle. Also complicating things is the touch screen control system, which governs too many functions, muddling what should be simple adjustments.
Details
Lexus-typical cabin decor blends high-grade plastics and leather. Other trim bits are genuine wood, but the reddish color used to stain those pieces makes them look fake. One test GS suffered from an annoying dashboard rattle.
| GS 460 | GS 450h | Class Average |
| 7 | 7 | 7.1 |
Lexus-typical cabin decor blends high-grade plastics and leather. Other trim bits are genuine wood, but the reddish color used to stain those pieces makes them look fake. One test GS suffered from an annoying dashboard rattle.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)
Six-footers get ample legroom. Even riders of average height will be cramped for headroom. Seats are all-day comfortable. A power tilt and telescopic steering wheel is standard. The seats are set fairly high, so all-around visibility is good despite moderately shallow side and rear windows.
| GS 460 | GS 450h | Class Average |
| 6 | 6 | 6.8 |
Six-footers get ample legroom. Even riders of average height will be cramped for headroom. Seats are all-day comfortable. A power tilt and telescopic steering wheel is standard. The seats are set fairly high, so all-around visibility is good despite moderately shallow side and rear windows.
Room/Comfort (rear)
Feels less roomy than a BMW 5-Series or Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Legroom gets tight quickly as the front seats are pushed back. As in front, even average-sized passengers will find headroom lacking. Entry and exit are hampered a bit by narrow door openings.
| GS 460 | GS 450h | Class Average |
| 4 | 4 | 4.8 |
Feels less roomy than a BMW 5-Series or Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Legroom gets tight quickly as the front seats are pushed back. As in front, even average-sized passengers will find headroom lacking. Entry and exit are hampered a bit by narrow door openings.
Cargo Room
The trunk is not that roomy, particularly in the GS 450h. Bulky rear wheel arches intrude. The trunklid swings on noninvasive strut-type hinges, but its small opening makes for awkward loading. There's no folding rear seatback, just a slim pass-through. The hybrid's battery is behind the rear seats, further reducing trunk room and eliminating the pass-through. Cabin's small-item storage is limited.
| GS 460 | GS 450h | Class Average |
| 2 | 2 | 3.9 |
The trunk is not that roomy, particularly in the GS 450h. Bulky rear wheel arches intrude. The trunklid swings on noninvasive strut-type hinges, but its small opening makes for awkward loading. There's no folding rear seatback, just a slim pass-through. The hybrid's battery is behind the rear seats, further reducing trunk room and eliminating the pass-through. Cabin's small-item storage is limited.
Value within Class
Ride quality over sharp bumps disappoints, and hiding some controls in a drop-down dashboard pod is counterproductive. Six-footers also will want to stay away due to the cabin's limited headroom. Any GS model, however, is comfortable, cultured, and competent. Traditionally strong Lexus resale values and top-notch customer care appeal, too. Overall, the GS 350s are the smart buys here as they offer good power and are available with all-wheel drive. Lexus's boast for the GS 450h is a tall one, but not unrealistic: that it blends V8-style acceleration with fuel economy typical of 6-cylinder cars and exhaust emissions usually associated with 4-cylinder engines.
| GS 460 | GS 450h | Class Average |
| 4 | 4 | 5.7 |
Ride quality over sharp bumps disappoints, and hiding some controls in a drop-down dashboard pod is counterproductive. Six-footers also will want to stay away due to the cabin's limited headroom. Any GS model, however, is comfortable, cultured, and competent. Traditionally strong Lexus resale values and top-notch customer care appeal, too. Overall, the GS 350s are the smart buys here as they offer good power and are available with all-wheel drive. Lexus's boast for the GS 450h is a tall one, but not unrealistic: that it blends V8-style acceleration with fuel economy typical of 6-cylinder cars and exhaust emissions usually associated with 4-cylinder engines.
Total Score
| GS 460 | GS 450h | Class Average |
| 60 | 62 | 66 |
Scores for all Premium Midsize Cars
| Low Score | 56 | |
| Average Score | 65 | |
| High Score | 76 |
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2009 Lexus GS Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 03/13/2008
Coming soon.
Please check back for more information and Consumer Guide's full review.
Rebates and Incentives
There are no rebates or incentives at this time.
Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national
manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings
may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.
Standard Equipment
Optional Equipment
No factory options.
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2009 Lexus GS Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | Lexus GS 4-door sedan |
| Wheelbase, in. | 112.2 |
| Overall Length, in. | 190.0 |
| Overall Width, in. | 71.7 |
| Overall Height, in. | 56.1 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3795 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 12.7 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 18.8 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 37.8 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 43.5 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 37.0 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 36.4 |
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
| dohc V6 | dohc V8 | dohc V6/electric | |
| Size, liters/cu. in. | 3.5 /210 | 4.6 /281 | 3.5 /211 |
| Horsepower @ rpm. | 303 @ 6200 | 342 @ 6200 | 339 @ 6400 |
| Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. | 274 @ 3600 | 339 @ 3600 | @ |
| Availability | Standard | Standard | Standard |
|
EPA City / highway mpg
|
|||
| 6-speed automatic | 19/27 | --/-- | --/-- |
| 8-speed automatic | --/-- | 17/24 | --/-- |
| CVT automatic | --/-- | --/-- | 22/25 |
Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft;
dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders;
V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions
per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--"
= measurement does not exist.
Safety Features
 Antilock Brakes Traction Control Antiskid System |
Front Side Airbags Curtain Side Airbags Rear Side Airbags |
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | Lexus GS 4-door sedan |
Coming soon.
Please check back for more information and Consumer Guide's full review.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's
worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to
rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury:
5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact
crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%;
1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover
when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%;
2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Built in:
Japan
Drivewheels:
all-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive
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