When the GS saloon was launched in 1993 it pitched Lexus against BMW, Mercedes and Jaguar in the battle to win the hearts and wallets of executive car buyers. It was reasonably well received but lacked anything to distinguish it from its rivals. Then in May 2006 Lexus introduced a new model — the GS 450h — that was the world’s first full hybrid sports saloon.

In simple terms, a hybrid vehicle has two or more sources of propulsion. In the case of the GS 450h it’s a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine and a battery-powered electric motor.

Lexus is the luxury arm of Toyota, and the company had already proven the technology with the Prius. Lexus claimed the GS reduced emissions with no reduction in performance by using the petrol engine for higher-speed driving and the electric motor for low-speed work. As a result the GS 450h reaches 155mph and gets from standstill to 62mph in just 5.9sec. It emits only 180g/km of CO2 and manages 37.2mpg.

On the road the GS 450h has two distinct characters. Driven slowly around town, it runs silently on the electric motor but point it at some clear tarmac and the petrol and electric power sources combine to deliver acceleration more akin to that of a supercharged V8.

The softish suspension cruises over poor surfaces while the large, well-cushioned seats make long journeys a pleasure. An almost total lack of wind noise adds to the eerie silence of the cabin yet the car has a compact, sporty feel that belies its exterior dimensions.

The GS hybrid also features adaptive power steering, dual-stage airbags and an electronically controlled CVT gearbox that is among the smoothest on the planet. To allay any customer fears about the new technology, Lexus provided a five-year warranty on the car’s hybrid components, something that all used examples still benefit from.

Equipment levels are good: entry-level cars have automatic climate control, a six-disc CD player, electrically folding door mirrors and wood trim. Spend an additional £2,000 on a used SE model and you gain sat nav, leather upholstery and a rear parking camera. Top of the range is the SE-L, which offers adaptive cruise control that not only maintains the car’s speed but applies the brakes when it senses a car in front is too close.

Hybrid technology came of age with the GS 450h. It proved a hybrid car could be quieter, quicker and more comfortable than the competition.

OWNER’S VIEW

“It’s easy to forget that it is a hybrid because it is so fast but I am averaging 32mpg.” Ian Cox, Wimbledon

NEED TO KNOW

Adaptive cruise control

Standard on the SE-L model, the system uses radar technology to manage the car’s road speed

Boot

The large battery pack, which sits behind the rear seat, reduces luggage space from 430 litres in the standard car to just 280 litres in the GS 450h hybrid, making it small by executive car standards

Climate control

Advanced system gives independent temperature control over multiple cabin zones

Facelift

A minor revamp during 2008 saw revised door mirrors with integrated indicators and blue hybrid logo badges

Servicing

Due every 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever is the sooner. The hybrid components do not require any additional maintenance

VITAL STATISTICS

Model Lexus GS 450h SE

Engine 3456cc, V6

Power 296bhp

Transmission CVT automatic

Fuel 37.2mpg (combined)

Acceleration 0-62mph: 5.9sec

Top Speed 155mph

CO2 emissions 180g/km

Road tax BAND I (£175 a year)

Cost new now £44,090

THE ONE TO BUY

A 2007 07 Lexus GS 450h SE with 20,000 miles. Pay £24,000 at a dealer or £22,800 privately

or for similar money

2006 56 Jaguar XJ 2.7 TDI Sport Premium auto

2007 07 Mercedes E 320 CDI Avantgarde auto

2007 57 BMW 530d SE auto

2008 57 VW Phaeton 3.0 V6 TDI 4Motion auto

2008 57 Audi A6 3.0 TDI quattro S line auto