HOME
RESEARCH A CAR
- NEWS & FEATURES
YOUR 4CAR
PLAY & WIN
ESSENTIAL TOOLS
|
| Road Test: Lexus GS (2005-) |
|
| Executive |
by: Farah AlKhalisi |
|
 |
|
Revised seating arrangements give more headroom
|
|
| DRIVING RATING: |
 |
The GS is far sharper than before, with pitch and wallow much-reduced and suspension firmer, but it's still some way from seriously challenging the 5-Series in the driver's car stakes. The electric power steering - with variable gear ratios in the GS430, similar to BMW's Active Steering - lacks feedback, feels artificially weighted and doesn't inspire confidence that you can accurately place the car through a fast, tight corner. It really does give the sensation that there is no physical connection between the steering wheel and the wheels themselves. The brake-by-wire system (GS430) is less disconcerting, but in some cars it was almost over-reactive, biting unexpectedly fast and leading to jerky deceleration. However, for more relaxed cruising, the GS is an easy, undemanding drive - and probably absolutely everything that its likely owners will ever want it to be. The cabin and its controls are well laid-out, the multi-adjustable driving position is excellent and the all-round visibility very good, despite the high waistline and high-set corners (parking sensors with rear-view cameras and screen in all but entry-level models). The touch-screen controls for the audio, climate control, sat nav, driver information and other auxiliary functions are easy to understand - it's a far more user-friendly system than BMW's iDrive or similar menu-driven control systems. Some controls - trip computer, rear sunblind, mirror settings - are located in a neat, handy fold-down console by the steering wheel.
|
 |
Introduction First launched in 1991, the GS-series is Lexus's contender in the BMW ... |
|
|
