Exterior
The staple of a Lexus vehicle is the strong emotional reaction people have to the car, be it passion or awe, and in the case of the GS 450h, we see that easily. This hybrid sedan has a style to it that accentuates the advanced and eco-friendly future that Lexus has seen, without sacrificing the quality language of the brand. In simply looking at the exterior, the GS 450h is a much more elongated and stretched vehicle in design with a long, sleek hood and a lower setting to the ground. The rear deck of the vehicle is shorter than other Lexus sedans and there is a more set-back greenhouse capacity.
The lines are clean and fluid, giving the vehicle a very sleek yet simple sensation. There is a sense of class quite clearly evident when looking at the aesthetic of the car’s design, but Lexus doesn’t ignore functionality. While maintaining the luxurious style Lexus is known for, the hybrid still manages to reflect its practicality and usability.
Like many other hybrid cars on the market, the GS 450h is built to be aerodynamic and utilizes engineering to create a body that can fend off wind resistance. The car’s drag coefficient is substantially reduced, giving the vehicle a much smoother drive, without having to deal with the effect of air pressure. This isn’t just an exterior feature either – the lessening of air resistance translates to a quiet ride.
In looking at the exterior, aside from the body, there are several features to take note of, one being the unique high-density-discharge headlights. These lights can more than compensate for what are standard headlights. The wipers on the GS 450h actually sense the rain and activate, which is a must-see and the mirrors have heat elements to reduce fogging and are power-adjustable. The 18-inch wheels are stylish and functional, and the grill and front fascia are gorgeous. Also, LCDs in the vehicle work as rear brake lights while the turn signals are integrated into the mirrors.
Interior
Given that the GS 450h hybrid sedan is a luxury-class vehicle, you would expect nothing less than a plush, comfortable interior. That is exactly what you get with the GS 450h. The leather interior is soft, smooth and comforting, and the stainless steel scuff plates aren’t overly prominent. These and a great collection of accessories that are advanced and stylish make this vehicle truly one of the top luxury cars on the market, hybrid or conventional.
To be expected, the driver’s seat feels incredibly comfortable and is set higher to enable increased visibility and to relieve painful strain from lowered seats. The seat is a 10-way power adjustable bolstered driver’s seat with heating capabilities. The steering wheel is telescopic and tilting, and the interior also has fine wood trimming with an exquisite dashboard. The dashboard also has wood trim and is home to the instrumentation panels with multiple controls and buttons that are centralized and sensitive for the driver’s comfort and convenience.
One of the best features of the Lexus line is the center console located right above the audio system, which holds a 7-inch electronic screen. The screen allows the navigation system, backup camera, and dual climate control are operated and viewed. Convenient, at your fingertips and safer, the only feature that could make this better is the voice recognition software that is available. With that, the only thing is to do is sit back and drive as the features make for a hands-free ride.
As with any vehicle, the safety of yourself and your passengers is permanent and Lexus doesn’t go lean on safety. With 10 different airbags in the vehicle, all placed in specific locations to maximize efficiency and provide a safe environment. With dual-front airbags on both front as well as rear seats, there are also several side airbags designed to prevent fatalities in any given situation.
If space is a concern for you, don’t let it be. The seats are incredibly roomy, and the rear passenger seat can easily fit three passengers. While the center seat would be elevated from the center cushion hiding the battery pack, rest assured that there is still plenty of shoulder or legroom.
If there is anything to criticize about this luxury sedan, it would be the trunk space. Due to the battery pack’s location at the rear of the vehicle, the trunk is only 7.5 feet, which is smaller than conventional sedans.
