2010 Lexus HS 250h: Tester's Comments
2010 Lexus HS 250h
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- MSRP: $34,200 - $36,970
- Invoice: $31,122 - $33,642
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Find out what the Consumer Guide Automotive testers had to say about the 2010 Lexus HS 250h. See if the 2010 Lexus HS 250h is right for you.
Vehicle Evaluated
| Make/Model: | 2010 Lexus HS 250h |
|---|---|
| Trim Level: | Premium |
| Arrival Date: | 10/05/2009 |
| Engine: | dohc I4/electric |
| Bodystyle | 4-door sedan |
| Transmission: | CVT automatic |
| 4WD/AWD: | No |
| Base Price: | 36,970 |
| Price as Tested: | 46,547 |
| Mileage at Beginning of Test: | 2542 |
| Mileage at End of Test: | 3583 |
| Total Measured Miles: | 1041 |
| Total Fuel Used: | 26.246 gals. |
| Consumer Guide Fuel Economy: | 34.63 mpg (what's this?) |
| Problems During Test: | None |
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Major Options
Wide View Front Monitor w/Backup Monitor; Mark Levinson Audio System w/ 15 Speakers, 6-Disc In-Dash DVD Changer; Navigation System (Hard Disk Drive Navigation System, Lexus Enform w/ Destination Assist, and eDestination [includes 1 year trial subscription], Lexus Insider, Voice Command, XM NavTraffic, XM NavWeather, and XM Sports and Stocks [includes 90-day trial subscription]; Tech Package (Lane Keep Assist, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Heads Up Display, Park Assist w/ Front and Rear Sensors, Pre-Collision System w/ Driver Attention Monitor); Cargo Net; Trunk Mat; Premium Floor Mats
From the Back Seat
Damon Bell
I don't see any compelling reason to choose an HS 250h over a decked-out Prius. Instead of delivering a "best-of-both-worlds" balance between economy and luxury, the HS feels compromised at every turn. Concessions to fuel saving blunt the upscale feel, yet don't deliver outstanding economy. The HS is chock-full of gee-whiz gadgetry, but is actually smaller and more cramped than a Prius in some crucial dimensions (such as driver headroom). Our loaded HS 250h tester stickered at a sobering $46,547... for that money, I could be shopping Lexus' own RX 450h midsize-hybrid SUV, a much more substantial vehicle that doesn't even give up much in fuel economy.
Don Sikora
As impressed as I am with the new Prius, I'm somewhat bewildered by what Lexus is trying to accomplish with the HS 250h. The HS has more power and feels a bit quicker than a Prius, but not enough to make up for the lower fuel economy the Lexus returns. Plus, the "premium" Lexus feels noticeably smaller from the driver's seat, and with its small trunk offers much less usable space than a Prius. In my test, the HS returned about 39 mpg, yet I consistently get better than 40 mpg in our long-term VW Jetta TDI, a car that costs only about half as much as this Lexus. Ultimately, the HS 250h seems to be compromised by trying to be too many things at once, and while the car is competent and pleasant, it doesn't really excel enough in any area to make it a compelling choice, especially at more then $46,000 as tested.
Ed Piotrowski
What's a decent car at its $37,000 starting price is manifestly insane at $46,550, which is the MSRP of this test car. Loaded Prius and Ford Fusion hybrids are about $15,000 less, are roomier inside, only slightly less luxuriously appointed, and get much better fuel economy. The only reasons to consider HS over the Toyota and Ford are Lexus' superior warranty coverage and kid-gloves customer service. Even then, for about the same amount of money, you can buy Lexus' own RX 450h, which is more powerful and more practical. I fail to see the appeal here.
Tom Appel
I am not sure how Lexus buyers are better served by the HS 250h than they would be by a roomier ES-based hybrid. That said, the HS works fine. It's comfy, convincingly high end, and most importantly, returns decent fuel-economy numbers. It does not, however, return outstanding fuel-economy numbers, which may be a problem. At 35/34 EPA mpg city/highway, the HS is literally crushed by the miserly 51/48 numbers posted by its Toyota Prius cousin. Toss in a sticker price that can be as much as $18,000 higher and you have a bunch of math that doesn't really add up. Buy the HS because you want a little luxo cruiser that's easy on the planet. Just don't expect your calculator to make sense of the deal.
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