The Detroit Newspapers's view

Hybrids are no longer synonymous with hair shirts. In fact, Lexus prefers to tout the performance and luxury aspects of its 2007 GS 450h over the perceived fuel economy and environmental benefits.

We tested a well-equipped GS 450h with $4,500 worth of options. The bottom line: $60,149.

SHE: You never seemed to be all that interested in hybrid vehicles until we watched the MTV Movie Awards this summer, and you got all googly-eyed over that actress Jessica Alba when she said, “Practice safe sex — and drive hybrids, if you can.”

HE: I can’t think of any better way to practice safe sex than to drive a two-passenger hybrid like the old Honda Insight. Now this Lexus is definitely a hybrid of a different stripe.

SHE: Yeah, Lexus is pitching it as a “timesaver,” of all things. They’ve calculated that it will save you about 13 stops per year at the gas station, or about one less per month. The idea is that people who can afford a $55,000 hybrid aren’t going to be whining about gas prices at $3 a gallon. In other words, they can buy anything, except time. So that’s part of the appeal of the GS 450h.

HE: Utter nonsense and corporate propaganda. Did you notice that the standard GS350, with the gasoline V-6, gets one mile per gallon better on the highway than the hybrid version? Tell me how that saves trips to the filling station. The GS350 also has a more powerful version of the 3.5-liter V-6, although the electric motor in the hybrid boosts the GS450’s total output to a very impressive 339 horsepower.

SHE: Even with the extra weight of the batteries and electric motor, the GS 450h manages some eye-popping performance, including 0-60 acceleration in 5.2 seconds, which is right up there with BMW.

HE: A very unsportscar-like feature is the continuously variable transmission, which is very smooth. I prefer it to BMW’s expensive and cantankerous SMG sequential manual gearbox. I’m also impressed by the basic dynamics of the GS, especially a suspension system that feels well-damped and provides excellent body control.

SHE: I think it’s an attractivepackage, save that silly $200 rear spoiler, which seems out of place on a hybrid. I wonder if ANY Lexus should have a rear spoiler. It just doesn’t seem to go with the brand image. But the cabin is definitely classic Lexus, with lots of leather and real wood — nothing fake here — and plenty of amenities, including 10-way power adjustable front seats that are also heated and ventilated, plus a power rear sunshade. I’d say there are probably more luxury features on the GS 450h than on a comparably equipped 5 Series.

HE: Beautiful and sumptuous it may be, but I have some serious issues with the cabin. For one, it’s too dark and monochromatic for my taste. More important, it feels cramped, even in the front seats. And the controls are, well, out of control — so much so that Lexus was compelled to stuff a bunch of them into a little flip-down panel next to the driver’s knee that is difficult to reach and almost impossible to see. And this is only a small complaint, but how can you call your vehicle a “performance car” without a tachometer?

SHE: Yeah, but it’s got a pushbutton ignition. And even more goodies for those of us who aren’t pining for the racetrack. I really like the power trunk closure and the standard rear backup camera — items you would never expect to see on a hybrid.

HE: The power trunk close feature is cool — too bad there’s only half a trunk back there after Lexus got done squeezing the battery and hybrid system into the car. On the plus side, you’d be hard-pressed to find a vehicle with more standard safety features — everything from adaptive headlamps and rain-sensing wipers to knee airbags for both the driver and front passenger.

SHE: Hmmm. I wonder if you’d be as contentious with Jessica Alba if SHE were defending the Lexus. I think you have to give Lexus credit for at least experimenting with a different approach to the whole concept of gas-electric hybrids.

2007 Lexus GS 450h
Type: Front-engine, rear-wheel drive, five-passenger sedan
Price: Base, $55,595 (inc. $695 shipping charge); as tested, $60,149
Engine: 3.5-liter V-6 & electric motor; 292-hp (gas engine only), 339-hp (total); 267 lb-ft torque (gas engine only)
EPA fuel economy: 25 mpg city/28 mpg highway
Where built: Japan
Estimated 12-month insurance cost, according to AAA Michigan: $1,861

Anita
Rating: 4
Likes: More amenities than a comparably priced BMW 5 Series. High-quality materials and workmanship. Lacks the hair-shirt personality of original hybrids like Honda Insight. Attractive styling. 8-year/100,000-mile warranty on battery and hybrid system. Eye-popping performance numbers, including 0-60 acceleration in 5.2 seconds.
Dislikes: Highway mileage is less than gas-engine GS350. Can’t get my head around the concept of a “hybrid/performance” car. Massive $10,000-plus price premium over standard GS350. Visibility issues. A rear spoiler on a hybrid?

Paul
Rating: 3
Likes: World-class safety features. Powerful gas/electric drivetrain. Clever, smooth CVT. Well-damped suspension.
Dislikes: Hard-to-reach flip-down panel next to driver’s knee for mirrors, odometer, park assist, rear sunshade. Cramped seating in front and rear. Only half a trunk. Cabin looks too dark and monochromatic. No tachometer.

Anita and Paul Lienert are partners in Lienert & Lienert, a Detroit-based automotive information services company.