Overview

What Changed for 2009:

• Acoustic glass for windshield

Overview
The 2009 Lexus GS sedan basically carries over from the 2008 model year. Last year, the midsize luxury sports sedan received updates to the exterior styling, new instrument panel and redesigned interior trim. The new GS 460 model with a 4.6-liter V-8 engine and 8-speed automatic transmission was also introduced for 2008.

Model Lineup
Lexus again offers three models in its GS line for 2009: GS 350, GS 450h (hybrid) and the GS 460. The GS 350 is available in rear- or all-wheel-drive models (RWD or AWD), while the GS 460 and GS 450h are RWD-only. All models are equipped with dual-zone climate control; ultra-premium wood, leather trim and polished metal accents in the interior; and 10-way power, heated, leather-trimmed front seats. The GS 460 adds an Adaptive Variable Suspension system; advanced active power stabilizer system that allows acceleration from 0-60 mph in 5.4 seconds (according to Lexus); Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management system (VDIM); adaptive front lighting system; 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels; electric power steering and variable gear-ratio steering; heated and ventilated 10-way power front seats; perforated leather-trim seats; and a power rear sunshade.

The Lexus GS 450h is a full hybrid. It is capable of operating in gas-only, electric-only, or a combination of the two drive modes. In addition to the standard equipment listed for all GS models, the hybrid has special 18-inch light alloy wheels; regenerative braking system; power meter replacing the tachometer; blue tint to the headlamps and taillamps; Lexus Hybrid Drive engine cover; blue front and rear "L" logos; enameled rear model designation in aluminum and blue; and blue hybrid designation on the side rocker panels. Standard on the GS 450h, but optional on the GS 350, are heated and ventilated front seats; rain-sensing wipers; headlamp washers; power rear sunshade; and a power trunk closer.

With such an extensive list of standard equipment on each model, options are few but include active power stabilizer; pre-collision system; intuitive park-assist system; all-wheel drive (on the GS 350 only); Lexus navigation system; 7.1-channel premium sound system; and ventilated front seats.

Powertrain
The 2009 Lexus GS 350 is powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 engine with dual variable valve timing with intelligence (VVT-i) that produces 303 hp at 6200 rpm and 274 lb.-ft. of torque at 3600 rpm. Power is transferred through a 6-speed automatic transmission with sequential manual shift mode. In the GS 460, the powerplant is a 4.6-liter V-8 engine that delivers 343 hp at 6400 rpm and 339 lb.-ft. of torque at 4100 rpm through an 8-speed automatic transmission with sequential manual shift mode. Both engines are certified by the EPA as Ultra Low Emission Vehicles II (ULEV-II). EPA fuel-economy estimates for the GS 350 are 19 mpg city/27 mpg highway (RWD), and 18 mpg city/25 mpg highway (AWD), while the RWD GS 460 is estimated at 17 mpg city/24 mpg highway.

The GS 450h is powered by the Lexus Hybrid Drive powertrain, a 340-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 engine with its compact, permanent magnet electric motor. The hybrid is classified by the EPA as a Super Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) and its fuel economy is estimated at 22 mpg city/25 mpg highway.

Safety
All 2009 Lexus GS models feature extensive advanced safety systems, including variable-force front air bags for driver and front passenger. Sensors are used to determine the severity of an impact and regulate the force of air bag deployment. Additional safety equipment on all GS models includes: seat-mounted side air bags for front seats; driver and front passenger knee air bags; front and rear side curtain air bags; optional active power stabilizer system to counteract body sway for cornering performance; optional radar-sensing pre-collision system; rear back-up camera; adaptive front lighting system; intuitive parking assist; and a tire-pressure-monitoring system. The GS 460 and GS 450h models feature the Lexus Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system that, according to Lexus, helps precisely manage the electronically controlled brakes, variable gear-ratio steering, electric power steering, vehicle stability control, anti-lock brakes, brake-assist, and traction control.

The 2009 Lexus GS 350, 450h and 460 models have not been tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for front- or side-impact crash protection or for rollover protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has not tested the 2009 GS either, but rated the seemingly identical 2008 model "Good," the Institute's highest rating.

Technology
Available features on the 2009 GS models include the Lexus voice-activated navigation system with its DVD map (and more than 5 million points of interest) and Bluetooth wireless technology. All of the technology integrates with the navigation system to permit the transfer of personal phone books, and allows the driver to make hands-free calls via the touch-screen control panel. For entertainment, there's the standard AM/FM cassette stereo with 6-disc in-dash CD changer, 10 premium speakers, Automatic Sound Levelizer, and optional 7.1-channel premium Mark Levinson sound system with 11 amplification channels and 330 watts playing through 14 speakers. The optional system allows playback of CDs and DVDs. The DVD movies can be viewed through a 7-inch color touch screen when the parking brake is engaged.