UberNoob

i woudlnt say they are nearly equal in performance because GS just doesnt handle like the 5 series does, not that it handles bad, just not as good

but definately GS450H is easier to live with
especially without that stupid idrive and crap
although i still find the interior of the 5 series pretty sexy
form over function

while GS is function + form well balanced

and GS has a much more sexy guage cluster

Shawnmack

I don't think this comparison test is fair you're comparing A V6 Hybrid against A monster V8. Thats like comparing My GS3 to a GS430. Why don't they wait until the 460 comes out.

XeroK00L

It's Lexus that claims the GS450h has the power of a V8, so everyone has the right to verify that claim. The GS450h is not your average GS3 (or GS350 in this case), but more like a supercharged one, definitely making it in a class above the regular 6 cylinders.

Faraaz23

The GS450h definitely does have the power of a V8.... more like the old BMW 4.4, Lexus 4.3, and Mercedes ancient SOHC 5.0...... however, the new BMW and Benzie V8's have more displacement and much more power.

I would like to see a head to head comparo against an E-class. I view this as much more of a competitor to the GS than the 5. I think the Infiniti M-series is much more of a true 5-series competitor.

I wish they would've had a fully-loaded 450h for this comparo. However, even with roll-stabilization, the outcome probably wouldn't have been different because Lexus traditionally has the light-feeling steering which these mags seems to not care for.

spwolf

yep... and doesnt it actually? If you look at the graph, from rolling start, at around 100mph, GS450h takes over...

spwolf

yeah, but you cant compare "responsivness" of ****ed manual tranny to the CVT, ie manual in 2nd gear to CVT when it is cruising.

What about manual in 5th gear from 30mph and you having to change the gear? I bet it would be a lot slower than CVT.

Yes, 550i should be a lot sportier than GS450h, it is an BMW for god sakes. However the fact that 550i was tested with Sport package, while GS450h did not have active suspension did not help - and the fact that BMW was 6 speed instead of Automatic.

Nobody who wants an manual will ever buy an CVT. If they really wanted to judge how well they compare, they would have GS450h with active suspension vs 550i Sport Automatic.

Nevertheless, as Sam Mitani said, "perhaps the only negative thing about GS450h is that it may put sports V8 sedans like 550i to the endangered list".

mmarshall

That Steptronic won't last very long doing that kind of stuff regularly.

Back to the comparison........I read the article myself in the R&T paper issue ( I am a subscriber ) before it was posted. It is not unusual, in enthusiast magazines, for Toyota-Lexus-designed products to take a back seat to BMW's in handling, and of course the BMW power-steering system is one of the best, if not THE best, on the market....especially the non-Active ones.
However, in the real world, I would take a Lexus-designed vehicle over a BMW any day of the week. Compare the assembly quality, fit-and-finish, paint job, interior ambience, hardware, quality of dealer service, attitude of the sales reps, and, perhaps most important, the lack of an I-Drive, and for me, it would be the " L " in the circle all the way.

doug_999

As pointed out, a test of a GS450 with the roll stabilization, a 550 with auto (and sports pkg), the M45 and the new E550 would be an incredible test.

However, I must point out, that while it is incredibly difficult to find a 550 WITHOUT sports package, most of the GS450s do not have the roll stabilization. In fact, last time I checked, you could not get one with it here in the Midwest.

Yea, I can see it now "hey if we race, my GS450 will start to catch you after 100"

Gojirra99

The GS450h comes in only one trim level with no active stabilizer available up here
It's priced very well compared to the GS430 though.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

that's how they can jack up the price of the gs460 later?

Gojirra99

The would be best adviced to keep it at the current GS430 level at most.

mmarshall

That may be possible with a GS450 or 460 non-hybrid, but I don't see how Lexus can sell the 450H for a regular 430 price.....it is a much more complex vehicle and simply costs too much to produce.

videcormeum

My point wasn't to insinuate that this was an apples-to-apples comparo ... in fact, just the opposite.

My point was that BMW offers THREE transmissions to Lexus' ONE ... and all of them are more responsive to driver inputs. It matters less to me that the BMW was equipped w/ the 6sp traditional manual than it does that it could have been equipped w/ the SMG or full automatic as well.

M.

doug_999

Personally, if a person does not need the trunk space, I see no reason why they would want the GS430 over the 450. Well maybe one - avoidance of the electromagnetic flux that will pass through your body everyday while driving the car (e.g. like having a high tension powerline in your car).

INHOCJP

Now that would be a great BMW ad