What is it?
Now nearing the end of its third generation, the GS slots in above the sporty IS and below the luxury-laden LS. It’s sized about like the tremendously popular ES 350, but the GS offers rear-wheel-drive and a much higher price tag – not to mention the optional V8 seen in our tester.
Its basic style is derivative of the original Giugiaro-penned 1991 GS300 (a rebadged Toyota Aristo), but the latest car was introduced for 2006. Smoother and suaver than the second-generation GS – notable for its Shakespearean “Something wicked this way comes” ad campaign – the S190-platform car retains the two-engine configuration of its predecessor.
As enthusiasts, we jumped at the range-topping GS 460 with its 342-horsepower 4.6-liter V8. A hybrid – dubbed GS 450h – was briefly on offer before sluggish sales forced its removal from the North American market.
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Low, Highly Focused Driving Position
Key to the new premium compact full hybrid's sporting driving experience is
its highly focused driver's environment. It features an optimised seating
position which combines a low hip point height ...
Interior
The level of luxury inside is pretty high. I found it to be nearly as rich as
the larger, more expensive LX. Standout treatments included a leather-wrapped
steering wheel and dash, with stitching ...
Multi-information display
The multi-information display presents the driver with a variety of
drivingrelated
data, including the current outside air temperature.
Trip information.
Displays driving range, fuel consumptio ...