2011 Lexus GS Hybrid Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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The 2011 Lexus GS 450h stands alone in the midsize luxury sedan class, because it's the only one with a hybrid platform. Whether that makes it a good choice for buyers at this price point depends on what they expect a luxury hybrid sedan to provide.
If it's added power, then the 2011 GS 450h provides that, with its 3.5-liter V6 and electric motor assistance taking it from 0-60 mph in just over 5 seconds. Compare that to its non-hybrid counterpart, the GS 460, which has a V8 and does so in about 5.5 seconds, depending on the driver.
Fuel economy is better than most V8-powered luxury sedans, too, with a 22/25 mpg city/highway split that's closer to sedans with a V6 that don't provide as much acceleration. It's also better than the Lexus GS 460 in that regard. In fact, reviewers note that the power on tap feels like a V8 because of the seamless transition between electric and gas power.
The cabin doesn't give much hint of the benefits that the 2011 Lexus GS 450h's hybrid platform provides outside of an electric power meter that replaces the tachometer. It shares the same heated and ventilated leather front seats and dual-zone climate control with its non-hybrid cousin. Passengers benefit from a standard 10-speaker system and optional power rear sunshield. To let more light in, the driver can use the moonroof.
Drivers will likely enjoy the back-up camera's assistance with parallel parking, as well as the adaptive suspension. In Sport mode, it provides a firm ride with precise feel, while Comfort is suited for making long highway miles pass glide by. An available hard-drive navigation system affords the driver voice activation and traffic information overlays.
Rear seat passengers may feel like they are a bit cramped, a fact endemic to all Lexus GS models and exacerbated by the addition of the hybrid system. The fit and finish of interior pieces are good, but two rear occupants may feel somewhat uncomfortable over long trips. Trunk size is also an issue thanks to the hybrid system, offering just 11 cubic feet of storage space.
There are a number of safety features that come standard in the 2011 Lexus GS 450h. On the exterior, high-intensity-discharge headlights are mounted to motors allowing them to turn as the car does. All 2011 Lexus and Toyota models come with a brake override system to prevent unintended acceleration issues and also get an electronic stability system and antilock brakes. Side-impact and side curtain airbags are standard, while prospective buyers can also opt for an adaptive cruise control system with sensors to detect potential collisions.
Not a lot separates the Lexus GS 450h hybrid from its GS 460 cousin, although the available power from the hybrid powertrain combines with the adaptive suspension to make it feel more agile and taut than some V8 luxury sport sedans. Whether or not buyers will choose the 2011 GS 450h likely depends on how they feel about hybrid systems, and whether or not they truly need their trunk space.
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2011 Lexus GS Hybrid Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Rear side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · 6 disc CD/DVD in-dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Mark Levinson · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 14 · 134 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 13.1 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 12.2 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: dual front · Door sill trim: scuff plate · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: cargo area carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: wood · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: front · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: side mirrors · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 1 · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: door pockets · Sunshade: power rear window · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.77
Engine
Electric Motor Battery Type: nickel-metal hydride · Electric Motor HP: 180 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 134 · Electric Motor Torque: 203 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 292 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 6400 · Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 267 · Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 4800
Exterior Features
Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Front bumper color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: lip · Rear trunk/liftgate: power operated
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
Hybrid
Starter Type: motor/generator
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: Enform · Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Lights
Exterior entry lights: puddle lamps · Headlights: cornering · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: auto-dimming
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Roof
Moonroof: power glass
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: rearview · Crumple zones: rear · Parking sensors: front · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: leather-trimmed
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Stability and Traction
Accident Avoidence Systems: pre-collision safety system
Suspension
Driver Adjustable Suspension: ride control · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear · Suspension control: electronic
Telematics
Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone: hands free · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Run flat tires: puncture sealing compound with electric compressor · Wheel type: aluminum alloy · Wheels: alloy
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 5
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing
