7 Day Test
Model tested: Lexus GS430
RRP: $137,200
Price as tested: $137,200
Road Tester: David Dowsey
Date tested: August 2006
Distance covered: 382km
When Lexus arrived in this country in 1990 it instantly redefined the luxury market in terms of value for money and service. Indeed, ever since it dropped its bombshell on the top-end of town the prestige segment has had to lift its game.
But Lexus too has continued to raise the bar and its latest GS430 is its best ever.
At $137,200 the 430 sits at the top of the GS tree. It's $15K more than the GS450h hybrid and $25,000 more than the V6 GS300 Sport Luxury. It comes with plenty of top-shelf gear including, adaptive headlights, satellite navigation, 10 airbags, radar cruise control, keyless entry and start and a handy rear parking camera. The leather interior is supremely comfortable and (unlike the 450h) there’s also a cavernous boot that can swallow several golf bags.
The GS430 is a great performer and was heralded as such at its launch back in March 2005 (for more click here). Truth be known it will see off most other cars on the road, bar dedicated sportsters. But what's more impressive is that its road manners are impeccable. Coasting around town the 430 is very, very quiet. Only under full throttle acceleration will the V8 rumble be heard -- and doesn't it sound good!
Talking of acceleration, the 430's is prodigious. With a 4.3-litre V8 delivering 208kW and 417Nm of torque, there's no overtaking worries with this luxury express. Lexus claims it can sprint to 100km/h in 6.1secs. The six-speed auto transmission is incredibly smooth providing seamless changes and it comes with the option of sequential control.
Lexus has a hybrid for those worried about petrol bills but we found the GS430 delivered 9.9lt/100km, not much thirstier than the GS450h. That’s excellent for a car of its power and size.
It's more nimble than you might expect too. The combination of 18-inch alloys and a taughter suspension setting means the 430 rides a little firmer than other Lexus offerings but handles better for it.
If only Lexus would sort out the GS's light-as-a-feather steering -- it lacks any semblance of feel.
Our major niggle is the radar cruise control. If you get closer than a pre-set distance to a car up front you'll suddenly find your speed dropping. You can override it with your right foot but the sudden braking -- seemingly for no good reason -- can be alarming for those behind.
That aside, the 430 is a great drive and does almost everything with casual ease. It has stunning swoopy lines, a great cabin, plenty of smart features and prodigious performance -- and all with pretty good fuel economy.
The GS430 is not perfect. But it's damn close…
Also read CarPoint's Lexus GS450h & Lexus GS430 comparison here