Lexus GSNovember 2006

Another very serious offering from Lexus, and one which takes on its premium German rivals. The GS looks good and is great to drive, but the lack of a diesel engine means it can't compete with the BMW 5 Series or Mercedes E Class on equal terms.

The styling is certainly striking, although some reckon that the GS looks a bit too much like a scaled-up version of the IS. The cabin is well finished and packed with standard-fit equipment, but some of the interior plastics look a bit downmarket for something trying to compete in this market segment. It's also noticeably smaller than key rivals, with poor space for taller passengers in the back.

Taut suspension and excellent steering mean that the GS drives very well, especially over twisty, demanding roads. The downside of the firm suspension is a harsh, crashy ride over rough or broken road surfaces.

The engine range has been pruned to just one version - the very smooth GS450 h (for hybrid). Using both a 3.5 litre six-cylinder petrol engine and battery-driven electric motors, the integration of the two is a marvel of systems integration - you have to really concentrate to hear when the petrol engine cuts in (usually around 20 mph if the battery is full and you drive reasonably gently). In truth, it's not as frugal in real world conditions as diesel rivals but future models, with stronger batteries, will finally start to deliver on the promise made by hybrid technology.