The Lexus GS had a tough start to life. After the LS massively raised expectations back in the early Nineties, the GS was the 'difficult second album', It wasn't right first time but Lexus hasn't given up and through dogged determination and relentless development have turned the GS from also ran into one of the best cars in the executive sector. This achievement should not be underestimated.

The task of making headway in the executive car sector without a German badge is notoriously difficult. We've seen some impressive products from Jaguar, Volvo and Lexus over the years but by and large they haven't achieved the sales success that they have deserved. With the revised GS range, Lexus finally reckons it has what it takes to one up the likes of BMW, Mercedes and Audi.

As a rule, Lexus doesn't really do diesel but entering the European executive car market without the capacity to burn some heavy oil is a risky manoeuvre to say the least. The diesel powerplants that BMW and Mercedes-Benz offer in this sector are amongst the best engines in the world but to counter them, Lexus has put its faith in petrol and hybrid technology. The engine range of the GS begins with the 3.0-litre V6 unit in the GS300. It produces 245bhp and can cover the 0-60mph spring in 7.2s so it isn't slow. The GS430 has been replaced by the markedly more powerful GS460, 279bhp being usurped by this 4.6-litre unit that packs a 342 wallop. This translates into a 5.5 second 0-60 time but the highlight of the line-up remains the GS450h. Using a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine combined with electric power courtesy of the Hybrid Synergy Drive system, the 292bhp GS450h is the most economical car in the GS range. The 0-60mph trial takes 5.9s and like the GS460, there's a 155mph top speed.

On the road, the GS is silky smooth, the suspension easing over undulations and obliterating imperfections in the road surface. The ride is less composed at very low speeds but once into its stride, the GS is imperious. The only intrusive sound is tyre roar, but it might be the lack of other aural stimuli that elevates this in your consciousness. For 2008, Lexus extends the availability of technically advanced ride and handling systems across the GS range. Both Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) and Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) are provided as standard on all models. The GS460 and 450h models retain Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS). As well as adopting AVS, the GS benefits from retuned shock absorbers and springs and revised underbody aerodynamics

"The Lexus GS has the unenviable task of trying to break up the love affair between British executives and German executive cars"

The GS looks a large car with its long, bulky body. It's also a distinctive one with its steeply raked rear windscreen that almost suggests a hatchback and split headlamp clusters. The stance is ground hugging so the GS definitely sportier to look at than it is to drive. The suspension set-up is comprised of double wishbones at the front and a multi-link system at the rear and is aluminium in its construction to reduce weight. Interior space is generous for four occupants but the transmission tunnel is prominent in the rear so the middle berth has restricted legroom. The boot in the GS300 and GS460 is a little down on the best in the class in terms of size while the GS450h stores its batteries under the boot floor restricting capacity further.

The look has been freshened slightly with a chrome surround for the front grille, revised door mirrors with integrated indicators and sleeker door handles. The front and rear bumpers have also been gently restyled, with sharper air intakes. Classier 17-inch (GS300 and GS300 SE) and 18-inch (GS300 SE-L and GS 460) alloy wheel designs have been introduced and the palette of body colours has been changed, with the introduction of a new silver and gold paint finish.

The Lexus GS starts at £33,205 with the GS300. From there, buyers can upgrade to the SE or SE-L trim levels which increase the opulence of the car's specification. The £50,605 GS460 is only offered in one trim but it leaves little to the imagination while GS450h buyers can go for standard or SE derivatives. The GS450h SE-L tops the hybrid line-up at £46,795. No GS buyer will find themselves short of gadgets. Every model has keyless entry and start, a 7" colour display screen, cruise control, eight-way electrically-adjustable front seats, Bluetooth connectivity, climate control and an input jack for connecting your iPod.

The Lexus GS has the unenviable task of trying to break up the love affair between British executives and German executive cars. To its credit, it goes about this by ploughing its own furrow rather than slavishly aping the opposition. Compared to German rivals, the car looks competitively priced but when you factor in how much equipment is included as standard on the Lexus, it gains a distinct advantage. With the UK executive car market dominated by fleet customers buying diesels, how well the GS sells tends to hinge on the perception of the hybrid powertrain on the GS450h compared to the diesel engines employed by rivals.

If you had any doubts about the viability of hybrid technology, just look at the figures of the GS450h. 36mpg on the combined cycle and 186g/km of CO2 is impressive stuff. Doubts have been expressed in some quarters about how achievable hybrid official economy figures are in real world conditions, especially around town when the cars have little opportunity to charge their batteries, but the GS450h certainly looks a viable alternative to diesel on paper. The GS300 and GS460 perform largely as you'd expect V6 and V8 executive saloons to. The GS300 manages 29mpg and 232g/km while the GS460 does 25.7mpg and 258g/km, both figures superior to the GS430 it replaced.

All of the cars that the Lexus GS would count amongst its rivals have a range of diesel engines and the GS doesn't. In Japan and America, emissions regulations are harsh on the nitrogen oxides and particulates that diesel engines produce a lot of so this isn't really a problem but in Europe, our regulations go big on CO2 where diesels tend to perform well and petrol doesn't. The GS450h hybrid model achieves levels of economy and emissions that are comparable with the best diesels around making it a viable choice for buyers looking to minimise their running costs. The GS300 and GS460, however, turn in the kinds of figures you'd expect from large petrol-engined saloon cars making them fairly expensive to run. Insurance groups are between 16 and 18 depending on the model and residual values are slightly down on those of the Germans.

If the whole raison d'etre of an executive saloon is to convey its executive from A to B in as relaxing and cosseting a manner as possible, the Lexus GS has got it all. The obsession with the sporty that's so prevalent wherever you look in today's car market is roundly ignored by the GS and the car is all the better for it. Yes, the German alternatives are more engaging for the keen driver but the GS is a cocoon that spirits you along unmolested by the contra-flows, speed humps, scabby tarmac and congestion that increasingly typify UK road journeys. After a hard day at the office, it's hard to put a price on that.

The Lexus GS is an impressive vehicle on so many levels. The syrupy driving experience, the build quality, the equipment, the lofty customer satisfaction ratings, the polished dealer network, it all goes to make up a compelling proposition. The GS isn't German and that will sound the death knell for it with some but if you can see past the badge, it's a highly effective product for most of the people, most of the time.

TOP 5 GS DEALS

The results below show the top GS deals on buyacar

	Lexus GS 450h 3.5 SE-L 2008 4dr CVT Auto [ACC/PCS+Sunroof] Saloon
	ETR	Mthly £887	Saving £3,407	Price £44,633
	Lexus GS 300 3.0 2008 4dr Auto Saloon
	ETR	Mthly £587	Saving £2,188	Price £31,062
	Lexus GS 300 3.0 SE 2008 4dr Auto Saloon
	ETR	Mthly £678	Saving £2,584	Price £35,566
	Lexus GS 300 3.0 SE-L 2008 4dr Auto Saloon
	ETR	Mthly £715	Saving £2,769	Price £37,671
	Lexus GS 450h 3.5 SE-L 2008 4dr CVT Auto Saloon
	ETR	Mthly £822	Saving £3,172	Price £41,968

typical 9.70% APR

PCP finance quote over 48 months,  10,000 miles pa,  deposit of £1000