HS 250h Test Drive - Has Lexus Built The Most Fuel-Efficient , Eco-Friendly Hybrid Luxury Sedan Ever?

"Would you buy a $35,000 luxury car that looks like a bulked-up Toyota Corolla and has barely half the luggage space of a Toyota Prius?

Having just test-driven a preproduction version of the new front-wheel-drive Lexus HS 250h hybrid, my answer is yes"

Talk about one odd statement

Where in MTL did you do this?

_43LE,

It's between quotes ("")

Read again

This is why Businessweek should stick to business. I do not know, but would be interested to see how many advertizing dollars are flowing from Lexus to this magazine. Also correct me if I am wrong but can't you option up a Prius to get the leather and wood? This is a compromised car anybody who pays more for this rather than buying a Prius is just plain old stupid, so they should sell thousands.

I didn't know they could actually sell that many LX570s.

Not really sure why, but I like the car. Sometimes I have my practical moments, even at 25. This car is ideal for someone who conscious of the "cause" but either too young or spirited for the Prius. I like the Prius, but I can't see myself driving one. This HS is a different story.

Are you people on crack???? It is larger on the outside and heavier than a Prius, but it has less room inside and in the trunk and on top of that it costs more. Decent Performance / great mileage? Do you not watch Top Gear you get one or the other try and drive this thing in a sporting fashon and your mileage is going to be worse than in a non-hybrid. Try to get the great mileage they advertize and you will be late for everything for the rest of your life. Go to the Lexus dealers you sheep suck at the teet of Toyota you will be going to automotive hell for your transgressions!!!!!

You might want to see a proctologist and get that insect removed from your anus.

"Try to get the great mileage they advertize and you will be late for everything for the rest of your life."

if you MUST have big HP figures to be on time, it only PROVES what a lousy, incompetent driver you are.

i usually stay between 1900 and 2800 rpm on my car (redlined at 6500) and prob'ly NEVER access more than 90 hp. yet i manage to beat out 95+% of all other traffic on the road in getting from pt A to pt B. at the same time, i consistently get 30 - 35 mpg!

simply by driving SMART.

Simply by driving a SMART

Frankly, I could see this car selling. People would buy this for the thought that they own a Lexus and it's a Hybrid. People buy Hybrid Escalade/Yukons thinking they're eco friendly why wouldn't people that want a luxury/hybrid car buy this eventhough it's a $35,000 camry hybrid

will be at the Lexus dealer for the intro of the HS tonight, i'll report on how much a good car this is tomorrow.

Make sure you have a latte from the Lexus barista. This car will put anyone to sleep.

Here's some highlight of the article:

The guy tested a fully loaded (50K) model. Didn't really liked the car but that NAV/Adapative cruise control really makes him go nuts.

Also, the brave journalist is predicting that in 10 or even TWENTY years from now, we'll see more compact luxury cars. Compact luxury cars with small engines have been around for at least TWENTY years ...

The guy tested a fully loaded (50K) version and finally said that, yes, he would buy it, as a second car, because the NAV system is fantastic and it's good for the environnement !? If you want to do something good for the planet, keep only one car, use public transportation.

This article is a masterpiece of bad automobile journalism.


"The HS 250h's 35 mpg rating puts it in the middle of the pack among hybrids. The 50-mpg Prius is rated significantly higher, as are the new Honda (HMC) Insight (41 mpg on average), the Honda Civic Hybrid (42 mpg), and the Fusion (39 mpg). However, the HS 250h has a 1 mpg advantage over the Camry and Altima hybrids, both rated to average 34 mpg. "

"If you're into sporty driving, forget about the HS 250h. There's nothing sporty about it. Like the Prius, it only comes with a continuously variable automatic transmission, which unwinds in a continuous (and boring) skein without any shifting of gears. The ride is smooth to the point of being almost boaty."

"I see the HS 250h more as a second car, though it has a relatively roomy rear seat and could accommodate a couple with small children (as long as they pack lightly on trips). "

"It's simply a much more pleasant car to travel in than the Prius. "

"The other high-tech gear packed in the HS250h also works better than it does in most competing models I've tested (the prius). For instance, the intelligent cruise control performed amazingly well in heavy traffic on highways around Philadelphia and Scranton, Pa."

"A fully-loaded HS 250h costs upward of $50,000"

Yet another Toyota designed to part stupid Americans from thier money. There's a reason why America is the only place where Lexus is sucessful. And also the only place where you will find the Lexus Fanboy. LOL!!

I rather have a car that gets 35 mpg on a gas motor. Hybrids suck,but I do like electric cars.$50,000 for a loaded HS is way too much.Good job by Lexus though i'm sure people will go for this.

No one is holding a gun to your head to make you buy a fully optioned car. You can always buy the base HS250h that's reasonably priced at $34,200. Or if you'd rather have a basic car that runs on a gas motor and gets 35mpg in combined mileage, the Yaris will fit the bill.

Thank god nobody is holding a gut no my head forcing me to buy one of these because I would probably just go for the shot to the head. This car is a prime example of how the Japanese manufacturers have convinced the public they have the best solutions. Everybody should buck the trend buy a V8 Camaro and start chasing hybrid owners home and reminding them that the chemicals in those precious batteries are strip mined in a third world country then shipped in a large cargo ship around the planet thus negating any environmental savings you might have from the reduced emissions. Screw Hypbrid cars!

fanboy:

and how many stripped down base model cars do you usually see on dealer lots? as always, they'll be loaded with options.

And how many fully loaded cars do you see on the dealer lots? Not many either. In fact, you usually have to make a special order if you actually want a fully loaded one. The base car plus a couple of popular options are what you see the most on the dealer lots.

fanboy:

add a few options like power seats, leather, nav, park assist, back up camera, decent sound systme and other options that are common in luxury cars and it's $45,000.

eat my dust huu as a blow by you in my 335! ; )

what does it say about lexus that the only country in the world in which the brand sells well is the united states?

european cars sell very well in dozens and dozens of countries in asia, europe, the middle east, north american and south america.

yes... the sales numbers on this bad boy are amazing, who would have thought they'd beat their 500 car goal? :P

i just built one on the lexus site....$45,000!!!!

someone please explain the point of a very ugly car with veneer-thin luxury and abysmal performance that gets in the low 30s per gallon.

why would anyone (other than a shallow badge-buyer) purchase this for $45,000 over an insight or a prius that gets 50mpg for $15-20k less?

i'm really curious to hear the justification.

that's funny and weak...deboost because you don't actually have anything to refute what i just said.

and to answer the headline question: NO.

somebody please explain EXACTLY what makes this abortion a good looking car?

I think it's the same people who like ford's design language with the three bar grill.

"Has Lexus Built The Most Fuel-Efficient , Eco-Friendly Hybrid Luxury Sedan Ever?"

Kinda hard to single it out as the "most" anything when it's the only one there 009. That's like the "hottest girl in the room, by herself" scenario.

This ToyLex might be Fuel-Efficient, but you would look like a big chicken head driving down the street in this thing.

:/

And damn does it ever have an ugly front end.

Look like the Predator :-O

"Has Lexus Built The Most Fuel-Efficient , Eco-Friendly Hybrid Luxury Sedan Ever?"

There is truly no logic in the purchase of this vehicle. At almost $50K loaded, its an emotional purchase. Less space than most vehicles in class and not totally attractive. Lexus is using the same playbook used with the LS600h and it will work. I'm not motivated in any way or attracted to this product. The gas mileage is weak compared to other hybrids. $35K isn't reasonable for this car, not in the least and at 35 mpg, what a joke. Save your money, go green and purchase a fully loaded Ford Fusion at $30K with much better gas mileage and efficiency or a loaded Prius, its primary competitor for loads less.

Sorry but $50k is ridiculous for that car. If I was going to spend that kind of money for a near-luxury car and I wanted better than average fuel economy I'd just get a 335d. Sure, I'd be sacrificing a few mpg's, but I get a car I'd actually enjoy driving, and one I don't have to make apologies for as far as looks or performance go (i.e. I don't have to memorize the phrase "yeah, it's ugly and/or incredibly boring to drive, but it gets 35mpg"). I can't help but notice how every single review of the HS250 does exactly that...

for 50k just wait for the Volt, more room, the potential to burn no gas, and a ten year warranty instead of 4. On high tech cars where repairs are costly warranty wins out.

who would EVER cross shop a Chebby against a Lexus? and a $40k price tag does NOT make a car a "luxury car." the volt is still a low to mid $20k car that just happens to have a $15,000 battery.

as for complexity and reliability, yes, one should be VERY vary of the volt. but toyota/lexus is the one brand that has proven you CAN have BOTH. just like with japanese electronics, complex CAN still be reliable when it comes to toyota/lexus hybrids.

"If I was going to spend that kind of money for a near-luxury car and I wanted better than average fuel economy I'd just get a 335d" -- JRobUSC

Not the same, and not even a consideration... environmentally responsible individuals wanting a hybrid will not lower themselves to buyin' the same ol' polluting, toxic and unrefined dinosaur technology that is the diesel.

Buyin' the BMW instead would be like a highly educated, well established individual wanting to marry a equally highly intelligent, classy lady goin' out and marrying a high school dropout coke addict prostitute because -- "she's more exciting and dynamic in bed"

on what planet do you spend most of your time?

enthusiASS11--

you are only REVEALILNG YOUR SEXUAL INEXPERIENCE, LOL! a person can spend only so much time in bed. if after the cigarettes, there is NOTHING in common to talk about, the trampy types you seem to prefer would be BORING AS HELL.

and while not necessariy boring, 3-series are also COMMON to the POINT of being boring to look at.

any Lexus is far less common and more eye catching on the street.