For the most part, consumers who previously wanted a highly fuel-efficient and luxurious vehicle didn't have much choice. Toyota, for example, offers either the super fuel-efficient but bland Prius, or the Lexus collection of luxury hybrids, such as the LS 600h L. But that all changes with the 2010 Lexus HS 250h. Here, Lexus offers you the opportunity to be pampered by your car while doing your part to reduce your carbon footprint.
Instead of putting Lexus badges on a Prius or Camry hybrid and calling it a day, Lexus has based the HS 250h sedan on a specialized platform not used by any other Toyota or Lexus hybrid. In terms of dimensions, it is larger than a Corolla but smaller than a Camry. As for the driving experience, it's all Lexus, with refined performance, a smooth and quiet ride, and a cabin impeccably decorated with the latest (but easy to use) high-tech features.
The HS 250h borrows its powertrain from the Camry Hybrid, which is both larger and more powerful than the Prius'. This enables it to achieve a 0-100 km/h time of 8.7 seconds, which is quite fast for a hybrid vehicle. As for fuel economy, the HS 250h has an EPA-estimated 35 mpg in combined driving. That's significantly less than the Prius' 50 mpg in combined driving, but it's still the highest of any luxury brand hybrid.
On the road, the 2010 Lexus HS 250h easily plays the role of a premium luxury car with a smooth ride, quiet cabin and competent handling. It also has just about every luxury feature one could want, standard or optional, as well as the promise of premium dealer service. However, as with many luxury vehicles, it is all too easy to jack up the price of the HS 250h with the various option packages.
If you like the idea of the Lexus HS 250h but find its price a bit too high, you might also consider the Ford Fusion Hybrid or Nissan Altima Hybrid, although the latter is only sold in a few states. Both offer a nice combination of economy, luxury and athleticism. For now, however, the HS 250h essentially exists in a class of its own, where luxury and premium brand presence can be achieved with better fuel economy than a subcompact economy car.
Performance and fuel economy
The 2010 Lexus HS 250h is a hybrid car, and as such is powered by a 2.4-liter inline 4-cylinder engine that works in conjunction with a pair of electric motors/generators. Total power is 187bhp which is sent to the front wheels via a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). We recorded the HS 250h from 0-60mph in 8.7 seconds - a pretty quick time for a hybrid. Fuel economy is 35 mpg city/34 mpg highway and 35 mpg combined, which is about what most other mid-size hybrid sedans also achieve.
Safety
The HS 250h comes standard with anti-lock disc brakes with brake assist, stability and traction control, and no fewer than 10 airbags. These include two front knee airbags, side curtain airbags, and front and rear seat-mounted side airbags.
Optional adaptive cruise control is complemented by Lexus' pre-collision system, which can pre-tension the front seatbelts and activate brake assist as soon as the driver presses the brake pedal if a collision is detected. The optional technology package includes the pre-collision system, as well as lane departure warning and driver attention monitors.
Driving
The 2010 Lexus HS 250h powertrain is remarkably smooth when shifting from low-speed all-electric mode to combined gasoline-electric power. Step on the accelerator, after a slight pause, and the HS recovers and accelerates quickly with a linear burst of power. It's not a sports sedan, of course, but it's about as fast as you can get for an economy hybrid car.
At highway speeds, the HS 250h's cabin is remarkably free of wind and road noise. The suspension does a good job of absorbing road irregularities, and the sedan is pleasantly quiet in corners. The cornering is crisp, and combined with the car's balance in the turns, the 2010 Lexus HS 250h feels lighter than its 3,700 pounds. The electric power steering is precise, but lacks feel. Another minor complaint is the overly tactile feel of the brakes, although familiarity helps alleviate the problem.
Interior
As you would expect from a Lexus product, the HS 250h offers a well-appointed interior with premium materials and impeccable workmanship. Despite all the luxurious features, the controls are mostly intuitive. The optional navigation system is accompanied by the intuitive 'Remote Touch' multi-function controller that also controls the air conditioning and audio system. The instrument panel also features a hybrid status indicator that lets the driver know if he or she is driving 'green'.
Given the HS 250h's rather compact proportions, its rear seat offers respectable head and legroom for tall people. The same applies to the trunk, whose wide opening and deep, square internal shape allow a golf bag to be placed directly inside, without the need to fold down. The total trunk volume is 12.1 cubic feet, but the rear seats do not fold down.
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