Lexus has stepped up to the plate as a car maker with an environmental conscience.
As other manufacturers struggle to harness hydrogen as a fuel of the future, Lexus has pushed ahead with petrol-electric hybrid vehicles.
And Lexus shows that being green doesn’t have to involve compromise.
It’s powered by a 3.5-litre, quad-cam V6 – in its own right, strong for the class – but also uses an electric motor capable of 124 kW of power and 275 Nm of torque. In combination, they deliver V8-like performance.
Most impressively, though, this car is capable of four-cylinder economy and produces paltry emissions, and its whisper-quiet cabin is superior.
Luxury buyers crave cutting-edge cars and although the GS450h is more complex than most, it offers the Lexus reputation for build quality, plus Toyota’s hybrid technology.
There is no need to adapt a new driving style, and the levels of equipment, safety features, build and performance are praiseworthy.
Also, its value is robust enough to lead the class.
On the downside, it lacks the cabin cleverness and seat comfort of some rivals. The regenerative braking system also lacks feel, as does the steering. Lexus redefined the luxury market in terms of reliability, value and smoothness and now looks set to storm ahead on environmental grounds.
Full Details: www.australiasbestcars.com.au.
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