2001 Lexus GS 430

Lexus proved it could build a truly competent midsize sport/luxury sedan when it introduced the GS 300/400 in '98-and we were sufficiently impressed to grant the aggressively styled, feature-packed GSs with our Import Car of the Year award. But everyone else's hardware in this hotly contested market segment has only gotten better. So for '01, Toyota's upscale division has injected the GS 400 model with more cubic centimeters, raising the displacement to 4.3L; the interior also enjoys new, high-tech options. The result? More performance, more lux, zero drawbacks.

The Lexus 4.0L V-8 was a strong yet silken powerplant, smoothly spinning out 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. The new 4.3's horsepower rating remains at 300, but torque has increased to 325 ULEV certified lb-ft at 3400 rpm. Its additional grunt is easily noticed when flooring the accelerator from, oh, say 40 mph. The electronically controlled five-speed transmission kicks down, the tail squats slightly, and you'd better have the vehicle pointed in the right direction. Hit the brake pedal and hope nobody's tailgating you: The GS 430 goes from 60 to parked in an amazing 108 ft, just a handful of feet more than a Corvette Z06.

Interiors are a Lexus long suit, and the GS 430 is no exception; the cabin remains a plush, hyper-comfortable cocoon at any speed below 100 mph, when only a whisper around the mirrors is heard. And although the new speed-sensitive Mark Levinson designer audio system is more than up to the task of providing agreeable sounds, we're not sure if it justifies its $3790 price (or $5790 when combined with Lexus' new DVD-based nav system, as on our tester). Each is available separately, if you wish, but newly upgraded wood trim is standard.

The fact that Lexus hasn't raised the V-8-powered GS' base price since its intro three years ago, but has upped its performance and feature content levels, is an indicator of what it takes to be competitive in the luxo/performance sedan arena. With excellent driving dynamics, a sub-6-sec 0-60 time, and enough goodies to keep any hedonist smiling, the GS 430 still has what it takes to play against the BMW 540i, M-B E430, and all the rest.