36 Votes

Lexus GS450h fails Auto Motor und Sport braking test

Fabian555 submitted on 12/20/2006 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 7:45:24 AM

63 user comments | Category: Reviews | Source: www.autospies.com

Tag Link: Lexus GS450h fails Auto Motor und Sport braking test

Hi,

I've noticed a lot of people criticizing the Lexus GS for poor brakes on this website.

Today, my Auto Motor und Sport arrived and they had a test of a bunch of cars including the Lexus GS450h in there. Specifically, they wanted to test the braking distance and quality of the brakes.

The GS placed 8/10, with the last two cars being midsized SUV's (Hyundai Santa Fe / Chevrolet Captiva). The GS brakes were described as weak and having a delayed response time. The brake pedal was also lifeless and offered no feedback.

The Results (The word in the parenthesis indicates the AMS description of the brakes / braking distance)

1st Place: Audi Q7 4.2 FSI (Good)
2nd Place: Toyota Yaris 1.3 (Good)
3rd Place: VW Eos 2.0 TFSI Good)
4th Place: Peugeot 207 110 Sport Good)
5th Place: Mercedes E220 CDI Good)
6th Place: Ford S-Max 2.0 TDCI Good)
7th Place: Fiat Grande Punto 1.9 JTD Sport (Adequate)
8th Place: Lexus GS450h (Poor)
9th Place: Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 CRDI (Poor)
10th Place: Chevrolet Captiva (Poor)

I thought you guys would like to read about this. :-)

-Fabian

Lexus GS450h fails Auto Motor und Sport braking test

About the Author

User Comments

DUDE wake up
Not everybody is out to get japanese cars.All cars have flaws.
— jimbo87 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/20/2006 9:24:03 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -13

It's just not a drivers car
— G35Lover (View Profile)

Posted on 12/20/2006 9:14:19 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

Audi Q7 kicking butt all the way to a full stop.
— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/20/2006 9:33:41 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

Yes, the Q7 has amazing brakes. And great handling for a large SUV as well.
— chewy (View Profile)

Posted on 12/20/2006 5:05:14 PM | | Votes: 0

Let me guess what the Lexus fans are going to say.

"BUT IT'S SOOOOOOOO RELIABLE..."
— Bill (View Profile)

Posted on 12/20/2006 9:48:36 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

Fabian, my point is that the Lexus fanboys on this site could never admit to Lexus having faults. They're going to come in here screaming:

1) BIAS!!!

2) GERMAN MAGAZINE!!!

3) BIAS!!!

4) LEXUS IS PERFECT!!!

You're new to Autospies. Watch and see.
— Bill (View Profile)

Posted on 12/20/2006 10:01:37 AM | | Votes: 3

That's exactly the impression I got when I test drove the GS430. Not quite German-like in it's braking, which is surprising since the rest of the car has jewel-like precision engineering.
— weaponX (View Profile)

Posted on 12/20/2006 10:12:49 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5

I'm not one to argue test results. I am inclined to believe that the brakes on the GS450h are not up to par. However, I believe that this story and all the recent hype surrounding bad brakes in Lexus models is an example of the media being the media.
— cynic (View Profile)

Posted on 12/20/2006 10:18:24 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Why would they praise Lexus cars and then slam them for having poor brakes?

Car magazines might have there favorite car brands, but bad brakes are bad brakes. It's an issue Lexus has to address.
— Bill (View Profile)

Posted on 12/20/2006 10:48:37 AM | | Votes: 4

Bill, I fully agree that it's an issue that must be addressed. But it kind of feels like lately there's been a witch hunt against Lexus on these forums and from European Magazines. Sort of the "let's try to poke holes in them" that I have not recently seen done with other makes. I guess that it's a result of being a success.
— cynic (View Profile)

Posted on 12/20/2006 10:52:40 AM | | Votes: 2

"there" should be "their" in my above post...

Cynic, no car is perfect. Lexus might make reliable cars, but they're still complex machines and like all machines, there's always a weakness. No car in the world is perfect.

I suppose poor brakes is just something affecting Lexus at the moment.
— Bill (View Profile)

Posted on 12/20/2006 11:00:52 AM | | Votes: 4

I drive both a 2006 Lexus GS and 2006 Infiniti M45. I also previously drove a Lexus SC430. Objectively, the brakes used in the V-8 Lexus cars are kind of 'grabby'. The brakes used in the V-6 models are not as grabby, but it doesn't feel as 'confident' as the Infiniti's Brembos. I personally feel Infiniti and BMW have some of the best brakes out there.
Perhaps when Lexus starts using Brembo brakes for the new IS-F, we'll start to see Lexus do better in the braking category.
— Dave (View Profile)

Posted on 12/20/2006 11:39:03 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5

still so shocked about it's stellar performance, 001?

;]

just having some fun. great car, btw.
— mostafa (View Profile)

Posted on 12/20/2006 12:44:50 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5

TOYOA YARIS has better break than MB?

— AUDBMLEXMRC (View Profile)

Posted on 12/20/2006 1:48:12 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

Fabian, are you french speaking?
— AUDBMLEXMRC (View Profile)

Posted on 12/20/2006 2:25:34 PM | | Votes: -1

Super! Moi j'habite en suisse mais je suis allemand d'origine. Enchanté et à bientôt. On ne sera pas toujours d'accord mais c'est pas grave, chacun son avis et on le repectera, n'est ce pas?
A+
— AUDBMLEXMRC (View Profile)

Posted on 12/20/2006 3:12:03 PM | | Votes: 0

MDalle

here is the translatio: nice to meet you and we may not have always the same point of view about cars but doesn't matter, it's important to respect everybody's point of view. Everybody has right to like or dislike a brand.
— AUDBMLEXMRC (View Profile)

Posted on 12/20/2006 4:58:46 PM | | Votes: 1

Mdalle, the Danish-English translator said "TO IS ALL A CROWD NOSSEFAR"

???
— mstangpny07 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/20/2006 5:04:02 PM | | Votes: 2

lol
— mstangpny07 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/21/2006 7:41:30 AM | | Votes: 2

And what about GS350?
— AUDBMLEXMRC (View Profile)

Posted on 12/20/2006 2:27:14 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

They should test the LS460, that one is even worse. Lexuses aren't safe, no matter what they brainwash you with their little safety doohickyes. They just can't stop in time to safe you.
— chewy (View Profile)

Posted on 12/20/2006 3:20:05 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

Well, the Lexus LS needs 207 feet to stop from 70. That is the worst braking distance for any production car tested this year and in years past by Car and Driver. Pickups do better. I just got tired of Lexus hyping up its safety and saying that Lexus is ALL about safety, but they ignore the fact that the LS 460 can't stop int time. That is a fact, and Lexus buyers do get brainwashed into thinking how safe their Lexus is with its "safety systems" but they don't know that it can't stop if their life depended on its braking.
— chewy (View Profile)

Posted on 12/20/2006 4:38:32 PM | | Votes: 1

I will definitely be the Lexus fan that screams BIAS, bitch about it all you want. I do not trust a German car magazine when it comes to Lexus. I do trust Edmunds, which has GS450h stopping distance from 60-0 at 123 feet.
— 1970toyotamarc (View Profile)

Posted on 12/20/2006 3:24:23 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

I am surprised the Toyota Yaris placed 2nd. I've had a Lexus before and the brakes were really bad. My wife's RX330 seems better. I feel the BMW's had the best brakes, well at least the two 3 series that I had before. Mercedes brakes are good too.
— 07mcs (View Profile)

Posted on 12/20/2006 3:34:26 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5

you know what? if Lexus/Toyota starts seeing how bad the Lexus cars'breaks are often enough, I bet they are going to put some resouces to resolve the very problem very soon.

Toyota has "if it ain't broke, improve it" philosophy rather than "if it ain't broke, why fix it". philosophy.

I'm interested in seeing how this website and other media can stir something for Toyota to seek something to improve.
— sracekili (View Profile)

Posted on 12/20/2006 4:58:46 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

Yes, the Germans are so biased when they have A TOYOTA in seconds PLACE.
— chewy (View Profile)

Posted on 12/20/2006 6:38:53 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

It's obvious you're hiding something by not posting any numbers. I'll be sure to read this article the next time I'm driving 190km/h though.

Here's some real facts. btw, did they fill the GS's trunk with cement or something? You make it sound as though it took an extra football field to stop.

Lexus GS450h 123ft, 4100lbs, 60-0mph
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=109609

Audi Q7 118ft, 5700lbs
http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpcontainers/do/vdp/articleId=109743/pageNumber=1

Audi RS4 107ft, 3900lbs
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=115689

BMW 530xi 114ft, 3880lbs
http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpcontainers/do/vdp/articleId=109334/pageNumber=2

2007 Santa Fe 143ft, 3800lbs
http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpcontainers/do/vdp/articleId=116262/pageNumber=1

MB S550 123ft, 4270lbs
http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpcontainers/do/vdp/articleId=108988/pageNumber=1

Audi A8L 170ft, 4500lbs, 70-0mph
http://www.caranddriver.com/assets/download/0701_auda8l_comparo_ts.pdf
125ft, 4400lbs, 60-0
http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/reviews/rt2245.shtml

Anyway, aside from the Q7 and RS4 (which have amazing brakes), the GS has the same braking ability as everything else with simliar weight.

Oh, and to ruin the LS bashers day, here's the LS's braking figures, they're a little bit short of 209 ft.

LS460 128ft, 4244lbs 60-0mph
It uses the identical Bridgestone Touranza 18V all-season tires from the infamous Car and Driver test.
http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpcontainers/do/vdp/articleId=117189/pageNumber=4

I await your excuses.
— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/20/2006 7:49:10 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

I think the guys from C&D lathered the discs with Crisco. LOL
— GS450h (View Profile)

Posted on 12/21/2006 9:56:20 AM | | Votes: -2

thank you for that bit of logic and reasoning, it's much needed on these ridiculous posts.
— 1970toyotamarc (View Profile)

Posted on 12/21/2006 2:21:56 PM | | Votes: -1

Here's the LS's Car and Driver datasheet if you need confirmation.
http://www.caranddriver.com/assets/download/0701_lexls460l_comparo_ts.pdf
— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/20/2006 7:50:36 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

LOL, just out of curiosity, I checked the Yaris' braking distance.
It just smoked the GS-h at 121ft.
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=109860/pageId=69562
— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/20/2006 7:53:21 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4

Okay, last one. The GS's braking is consistent, Edmunds rated it at 123ft as well.
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=109609/pageId=69125
— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/20/2006 8:00:49 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4

Dang, scratch that last post, it's a repeat, I already included it.
— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/20/2006 8:02:25 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

Well, my ex-1991 Toyota Cressida had good brakes. I wouldn't say they had the quality of brakes found on sportscars, but they responded well, offered decent feedback and stopped the car within reasonable limits.

Someone at Lexus got sloppy with the brakes. Time for a recall perhaps?

I'm teasing.
— Bill (View Profile)

Posted on 12/20/2006 9:32:41 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Wow, I got deboosted because I didn't say:

"My Toyota Cressida had the best brakes ever made. Those brakes on the Porsche Carrera GT are nothing compared to the brakes on my ex-Cressida."

I don't even recall slamming the Toyota brand in my sentence. Oh wait, I did. I said the "brakes on my ex-Cressida WERE GOOD, BUT NOT OF SPORTS CAR QUALITY...". Wow, I should be ashamed of myself for bad mouthing Toyota in this way...
— Bill (View Profile)

Posted on 12/21/2006 8:14:50 AM | | Votes: 2

Will this war of Lexus versus german brands ever end???
— 2JZSoarer (View Profile)

Posted on 12/20/2006 9:41:10 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

No.
— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/21/2006 2:10:00 PM | | Votes: 2

I remember the older models of Lexus, when they were compared to BMW/MB, their braking distance was better, why? because they were lighter. Now the new modles are heavier, the smiplest thing Lexus can do is to put larger routers and brakes on their cars. Besides heavier or not, they STILL cost much less than a BMW/MB, so just go a head and buy after market routers and get it over with. :-)
— Designer1 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/20/2006 9:47:14 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

As a keen european car fan I can only say that thank god there is a flaw in this car. However in fairness, German cars are designed for autobahns travelling 200+ km/h, so making top of the notch brakes for a car to be ultimately driven around urban neigbourhoods would be financially stupid - make less expensive breaks that still do a decent job, and cut down prices? Makes sense to me!
— aussiecarnut (View Profile)

Posted on 12/20/2006 11:56:41 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

Didn't 001 just get one? Maybe he could drop a few lines about the braking on his new Lexus...
— no1listensanyway (View Profile)

Posted on 12/21/2006 1:49:12 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

Doesn't 001 live in SoCal? If so, since the traffic is so bad there, he never goes over 30 MPH anyway so he never truly tests the brakes
— nybimmer (View Profile)

Posted on 12/21/2006 4:02:01 PM | | Votes: 3

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Lexus GS450h fails Auto Motor und Sport braking test

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