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." Arguably the most fuel-efficient and eco-friendly luxury sedan ever, the 2010 HS 250h is rated to get 35 miles-per-gallon, yet has a gorgeous wood- and leather-trimmed interior and comes packed with high-end conveniences. If you're looking for a small, classy second car and want to do something to help the environment, it's an excellent choice.

My guess is that at some point in the future—whether in 10 years or 20—many luxury cars will be like the HS 250h. They'll be smaller (the HS 250h is 185 inches long, midway between a Prius and a Toyota Camry), reasonably quick but not really sporty, and far more fuel-efficient.

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