VEHICLE EXHAUST SYSTEM

A vehicle exhaust system includes a vehicle body structure, an exhaust system, a rear bumper assembly, an exhaust finisher and a boot. The exhaust assembly is supported to an underside of the vehicle body structure. The rear bumper assembly is also supported to the vehicle body structure. The exhaust finisher is non-movably attached to one of the vehicle body structure and the rear bumper assembly. The exhaust finisher extends at least part way through an opening of the rear bumper assembly. The boot has a first end, a second end, and a flexible portion. The first end is attached to a rear end of the exhaust assembly. The second end is attached to a forward end of the exhaust finisher and the flexible portion extends from the trout end to the second end. The flexible portion is elastically deformable in response to thermal expansion and contraction of the exhaust assembly.