If you desire the power and grace offered by the GS 460 but admire the fuel economy that your neighbor gets from the HS250h, then the gas-electric GS 450h hybrid is the ultimate compromise. By coupling a 292 horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 with an electric motor, which produces peak torque at 0 rpm, the GS 450h nets 339 hp and goes from 0 to 60 in 5.2 seconds and still achieves 22 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. Who would have ever thought that a hybrid would one day be faster than a V-8? The GS 460, on the other hand, was the second Lexus to be blessed with the 4.6-liter V-8 engine, shortly after the motor debuted in the flagship LS-series sedan. As in the LS, the GS 460 utilizes Lexus’s 8-speed automatic transmission, which makes everything a little smoother and faster—60 mph comes in 5.4 seconds from a standstill.
Pros: Comfort levels rival the best in the industry.
Cons: Drivability does not really compare to any of the German luxury sedans.
