Dayton Daily News

Without a doubt, the best way to judge a vehicle is to fill the cabin with passengers and the trunk with cargo, take it on a weekend trip and pop about 500 miles onto the odometer.

Upon returning home, rate your experience, the opinions of the others on the ride and then decide if this is the vehicle for you.

Of course, car buying doesn't usually work like that. If it catches the eye, compares favorably with competitors in magazines, feels right during a 15-minute road test and fits the budget, then you take the plunge.

But what if you could do as I did?

I recently tested a 2008 Lexus GS450h for a week and was able to give it an extensive workout. Save for one possibly fatal flaw for the average consumer (average being the consumer who can spend upwards of $60K on a car), this is another fine specimen from Toyota's premium division.

The GS450h is at the top end pricewise of a GS lineup that includes three engines — 3.5-liter V-6, 3.5-liter V-6/electric hybrid and a new 4.6-liter V-8. The 303-horsepower

3.5-liter V-6 (GS350) starts at $44,150, has a 6-speed automatic transmission and comes as either a rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive car, the latter available for $46,100. The

342-hp 4.6-liter V-8 (GS460) has an 8-speed automatic transmission and starts at $52,620. The hybrid (GS450h) produces 339 hp, utilizes a continuously variable transmission and has a beginning retail price of $54,900.

Like other Lexus sedans, the GS450h is appealing from performance, handling and comfort levels. Even when toggling from idle/electric mode to an accelerator-punching surge, the car reacts smartly off the line. Highway passes are mastered easily, the car responds capably under all normal occasions and the interior stays quiet. The driver is surrounded by form and function, making the use of gauges and controls quick to recognize and a breeze from an operational standpoint. Only back-seat passengers in need of more foot room will find a reason to doubt the interior.

What's not to like? That possible fatal flaw — a trunk that is so miniscule as to require a bag be kept in the back seat. The GS cargo space is listed at 12.7 cubic feet, but that drops to 7.5 cubic feet in the 450h because of the two battery packs that turn this into a hybrid that is good for the environment but bad for one's golf game.

One of the selling points of the 450h is that its EPA mileage rating of 22 mpg/city is decidedly better than the GS350 (19 mpg) and GS460 (17 mpg), while competitive with the others at 25 mpg/highway.

Standard features make a lengthy list on the GS with such amenities as leather upholstery, sunroof, dual-zone automatic climate controls, steering wheel audio controls, in-dash 6-disc CD changer, power trunk closer, driver side memory system, universal garage door opener and alloy wheels. The trims with the larger engines also get heated/ventilated front seats, steering-linked adaptive xenon headlights and driver-adjustable suspension.

The hybrid version gets rear side airbags and a front- and rear-obstacle detection system to supplement an already well-stocked supply of safety features that include antilock brakes, brake assist, antiskid system, front side airbags, curtain side airbags and front knee airbags. There is also a tire-pressure monitor and daytime running lights.

Other standard items on the hybrid model are a rearview camera, rain-sensing wipers and power rear sunshade.

Options on our test vehicle included an upgraded sound system ($1,780), voice-activated navigation system ($1,500), Lexus Link assistance system with one year of service ($900), run-flat tires ($400), rear spoiler ($200), package of trunk mat, cargo net and wheel locks ($197) and all-weather floor mats ($99). Delivery charges ($765) pushed this particular car to $60,741.

The 2008 Lexus GS450h proves to be a fine sedan and should leave a good first impression, whether that impression is during 15 minutes or over a weekend.

David Mikesell is a free-lance automotive reviewer based in Indianapolis. For more automotive information, go online to DaytonDailyNews.com/Wheels.