Best Reviewed
Hybrid Cars
- Most fuel-efficient hybrid car 2011 Toyota Prius *Est. $21650
- Best hybrid family sedan 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid *Est. $28600
Get info about new reports and updates
- Best fuel economy among luxury hybrids
- Lowest-priced luxury hybrid
- Smooth hybrid powertrain
- Upscale cabin
- Good crash ratings
- Less fuel-efficient than cheaper hybrids
- Slow and dull to drive
- No folding rear seat
Free Price Quote for 2010 Lexus HS 250hThe Lexus HS 250h sedan is the first entry-level luxury hybrid car. Reviews say it does radiate subtle luxury, with a smooth ride and typically upscale Lexus interior. Dull performance and ho-hum fuel economy make it not worth the extra cash over a mid-priced hybrid, several critics say.
"A snooze to drive," Car and Driver pronounces the new Lexus hybrid car. "The HS is strictly for folks who just have to have the Lexus of Priuses."
The Lexus HS 250h shares the same hybrid system as its mid-priced corporate cousin, the 2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid (Base MSRP: $26,675). Both pair a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine with a pair of electric motors for a total 187 horsepower. The Camry actually runs from 0 to 60 a few tenths of a second faster than the Lexus' 8.7 seconds in Edmunds.com's tests. Edmunds.com considers this "relatively brisk" for a hybrid, and both the Lexus and Camry hybrids are noticeably quicker off the mark than the 2010 Toyota Prius (Base MSRP: $21,400 to $28,070). However, the cheaper (albeit less luxurious) 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid (Base MSRP: $27,950) is just as quick as the Lexus HS 250h, and it's more fuel-efficient. The 2010 Lexus HS 250h delivers an estimated 35 mpg city/34 mpg highway/35 mpg combined -- the best of any luxury hybrid car. That's about the same as the Toyota Camry Hybrid, but a few mpg less than the Fusion Hybrid and far less than the Prius' 50 mpg combined.
"For those who look at Lexus only when picking out a new car, this is the most efficient, most eco-friendly model available," Motor Trend says of the HS 250h. "But for those who want the best green value for their shopping dollar, the Prius or even the Ford Fusion Hybrid may be the better choice."
The five-passenger, front-wheel-drive Lexus HS 250h comes in two trim levels. The base model (Base MSRP: $34,650) includes many upscale features, such as leather seats, a sunroof, heated mirrors, dual-zone climate control, a six-disc CD changer, satellite radio, auxiliary/USB/iPod connections and Bluetooth. The Premium trim (Base MSRP: $37,420) adds bigger 18-inch wheels, rain-sensing wipers, memory driver's seat, ventilated front seats, wood cabin trim and more. Reviews say options such as park assist and navigation can drive the price up quickly.
Lexus has recalled approximately 14,500 2010 Lexus HS 250h cars due to "inconsistent brake feel" of the antilock brakes. The cars may not stop as quickly as the driver expects, but company officials say pressing hard on the brake pedal will stop them. Lexus issued a "stop sale" on the HS 250h while the brake software is updated, and ConsumerReports.org suspended its recommendation of the car until the problem is fixed.
In government crash tests, the Lexus HS 250h outshines all other hybrids except the Toyota Camry Hybrid, which posts similarly high marks: a perfect 5 stars in front and side crashes, and 4 stars for rollover resistance. The HS 250h has not been crash tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), which runs different tests than the federal government does (including rear-crash and rollover roof-strength tests). Standard safety equipment is robust, with the usual antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability control and front, front-side and curtain airbags, plus backseat side airbags and dual front knee airbags.
The Lexus HS 250h carries a longer warranty than most hybrid cars: four years/50,000 miles basic, six years/70,000 miles powertrain and eight years/100,000 miles for hybrid components. Lexus hybrids no longer qualify for any federal tax credits.
ConsumerReports.org thoroughly tests the Lexus HS 250h and rates its reliability, safety and fuel economy for subscribers only, but its free blog entries provide news of the brake recall. Other expert sources that test the HS 250h in-depth include TheTruthAboutCars.com, The Wall Street Journal, Motor Trend, Edmunds.com, Car and Driver and ConsumerGuide.com. Popular Mechanics tests the HS 250h's fuel efficiency head-to-head against a diesel BMW. CanadianDriver.com's long-term test includes a detailed report on how the HS 250h performs in extremely cold weather. The HS 250h has been crash tested by the federal government but not by the nonprofit IIHS. Official fuel-economy ratings are posted at FuelEconomy.gov.
Our Sources
1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
ConsumerReports.org suspended its recommendation of the 2010 Lexus HS 250h after the company stopped selling the cars due to a brake problem, this blog entry reports. About 14,500 of the cars were recalled for a brake-software update to fix "inconsistent brake feel" that could make the car not stop as quickly as the driver expects. ConsumerReports.org's full expert review of the Lexus HS 250h is available only to subscribers.
Review: Lexus HS 250 Hybrid to "Stop Sale" Due to Brake Issue, Jeff Bartlett and Gabe Shenhar, Feb. 9, 2010
It's "not an embarrassment" to the Lexus brand, but that's about the extent of Michael Karesh's praise for the HS 250h. He finds the exterior "homely" and the performance and handling merely adequate.
Review: Review: Lexus HS250h, Michael Karesh, Oct. 28, 2009
This extensive review says the question for prospective Lexus HS 250h buyer is "If you want a high-mileage hybrid, why buy a car that isn't as fuel-efficient as a Toyota Prius, and costs $14,000 to $15,000 more?" Joseph White also says the Lexus isn't as peppy as a high-efficiency turbodiesel.
Review: Can a Hybrid Be a Luxury Car?, Joseph B. White, Dec. 2, 2009
4. Motor TrendDetails/Subscribe
The newest Lexus hybrid is faster, more powerful and quieter than its Toyota Prius cousin, Allyson Harwood finds -- but the Prius comes better equipped for thousands less. Unless you're hooked on Lexus, Harwood says the Prius and Ford Fusion Hybrid are better values.
Review: First Test: 2010 Lexus HS 250h, Allyson Harwood, November 2009
5. Edmunds.com
The Lexus HS 250h stands in a class by itself, as the only entry-lux hybrid, Edmunds.com says. Editors critique its performance, safety and design and name it one of their recommended hybrids.
Review: 2010 Lexus HS 250h Review, Editors of Edmunds.com
6. Car and DriverDetails/Subscribe
The Lexus HS 250h delivers the best fuel economy of any luxury car, but Car and Driver testers find it boring to drive and basically just a high-priced Prius.
Review: 2010 Lexus HS, Editors of Car and Driver
ConsumerGuide.com editors evaluate all aspects of the Lexus HS 250h, rating it against a class average for all premium compact cars. In the end, they find it underperforms for its class, and it's overpriced and under-efficient compared with the Toyota Prius.
Review: 2010 Lexus HS 250h: Road Test, Editors of ConsumerGuide.com
8. PopularMechanics.comDetails/Subscribe
Popular Mechanics tests these two luxury gas-misers on hills and highways, with little city driving. Fuel economy is similar (about 35 mpg for the Lexus and 34 mpg for the BMW), but Ben Stewart notes that the BMW is much more powerful and fun to drive.
Review: 2010 Lexus HS250 Hybrid vs. 2010 BMW 335 Diesel 390-Mile Fuel Economy Comparison Test Drive, Ben Stewart, Aug. 5, 2009
This Canadian review describes how the newest Lexus hybrid performs in a frigid Winnipeg, Manitoba, winter. As the mercury drops, so does fuel economy, but tester Haney Louka says at least the heater works well on cold mornings, unlike some turbodiesels he's tried.
Review: Long Term Test: 2010 Lexus HS 250h -- Mid-term Report, Haney Louka, Feb. 17, 2010
10. SaferCar.gov
The Lexus HS 250h earns some of the best government crash ratings of any hybrid: perfect 5-star ratings in front- and side-crash tests and 4 stars for rollover resistance.
Review: 5-Star Safety Ratings, Editors of SaferCar.gov
11. FuelEconomy.gov
This chart from the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy compares fuel economies for 2010 hybrid vehicles. The Lexus HS 250h's 35 mpg city/34 mpg highway/35 mpg combined rating is tops among luxury hybrids, but some cheaper hybrids are more fuel-efficient.
Review: 2010 Hybrid Vehicles, Editors of FuelEconomy.gov
Hybrid Cars Runners Up:
9 picks including: FuelEconomy.gov, Car and Driver…
6 picks including: Car and Driver, Cars.com…
6 picks including: FuelEconomy.gov, Edmunds.com…
4 picks including: About.com, FuelEconomy.gov…
4 picks including: FuelEconomy.gov, Edmunds.com…
3 picks including: About.com, Business Week…
3 picks including: About.com, FuelEconomy.gov…
2 picks including: FuelEconomy.gov, Edmunds.com…
2 picks including: FuelEconomy.gov, Edmunds.com…
1 pick including: FuelEconomy.gov, Edmunds.com…
1 pick including: Car and Driver, Kelley Blue Book…
1 pick including: FuelEconomy.gov, Car and Driver…