IF you are seeking a quietly efficient quality car and happen to be able to lay your hands on the thick end of £50,000 then the latest GS 450h Sports Saloon from Lexus is luxury personified

Despite being the same length as the previous version the newest Lexus GS Luxury model comes wider and taller and, with front and rear tracking also delivering more width to the suspension system improving the ride, this fourth generation Lexus GS also has a re-engineered body shell.

The new GS 450h is also the first to feature the new front end design features which Lexus intend to introduce gradually across its range.

Most eye catching of these is the "spindle" shaped grille which helps to create a more muscular and sporty front end.

High quality materials include a tasteful use of wood and full leather upholstery thoughtfully spread throughout a cabin which comfortably seats five.

The high-set rear seats with electrical lumbar adjustment offer good support in all parts and the boot is much larger than the outgoing model's luggage bay.

Inside there are the likes of the Lexus second generation remote touch interface controlled by a computer mouse-style button  and viewed on a big screen.

It's generously kitted out and also on board are a number of driver friendly pieces of kit, including a Mark Levenson 12 speaker sound system and intelligent energy saving air con. Driver safety aids also include vehicle stability control, traction control, hill start assist control, tyre pressure warning and blind spot monitor.

Comfort and convenience on board is led by the likes of LED interior lighting, ventilated and heated 10-way electrically adjustable front seats and steering wheel adjust, dual zone climate control, rear view camera, front and rear parking sensors, Bluetooth, HDD Navigation system, while some very appealing aluminium scuff plates and attractive piano black gloss trim add to the quality.

Rear seat passengers have not been forgotten, even getting a control panel to operate their own air con and stereo.

On the road there is strikingly sharp handling to enjoy throughout an engaging drive.

As a hybrid the 286bhp, 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine comes paired with a compact high output electric motor which together are capable of delivering some 341bhp and a 0-62mph sprint time of under six seconds topped off with a maximum speed of 155mph.

Fuel economy has been improved by around 20 per cent over its predecessor, realising 46.3mpg. CO2 emissions are also reduced to 141g/km.

Overall, this Lexus GS 450h is a hybrid in more ways than one.

Orchestrating operations from the rear wheel-drive set up via a constant variable automatic electric transmission the system ensures that gear shifts are prompt and acceleration smooth while, should the need arise, you can slip effortlessly into electric-only mode for a fuel-saving trip around town.

: 19%

: 3yrs/60,000 miles