The GS’s running costs are in-line with other large petrol saloons. Fuel economy is around 30mpg for the GS300 but drops to 25mpg for the more powerful 430 and 460 engines. Consumbales such as tyres aren’t cheap either while insurance groups start at 16. Company car users will find the 450h a tempting model as its green credentials place it in a lower tax bracket than similarly powered rivals, adding up to a saving worth £1000s each year.

It’s also able to return 36mpg.

Without a diesel engine, the GS scores fairly badly on the eco front. There is a hybrid model available which emits 185g/km – impressive considering it boasts more than 300bhp. However the other standard petrol models aren’t as good – the 460 emits 261g/km of CO2 and returns 25mpg.

Lexus is a popular buy among canny used buyers. One of the main reasons is the firm’s impeccable reliability record. The hybrid system on the 450h doesn’t alter this prediction either, as the technology has thus far proven reliable in other Lexus and Toyota cars some of which have been in use since 2000.