2010 Lexus HS250h - front side

2010 Lexus HS250h - front side

From our first Drive Report to our recent full review, we've covered the 2010 Lexus HS250h quite a lot here at AllAboutPrius.com. Now the other shoe has dropped: Lexus has released the pricing.

And, surprise, surprise, the 2010 HS250h slots very neatly just above the highest-spec model of the 2010 Toyota Prius.

When Toyota priced the 2010 Prius, we learned that you could spend $32,500 and change, if you get the most luxurious level with the Advanced Tech package.

The standard 2010 Lexus HS250h starts at $34,200, but that number doesn't include the required $875 fee for delivery, processing, and handling--which brings the total starting tab to $35,075.

The Premium model, which we drove in our review, starts at $37,845 with the fee added in, meaning you're well over $40K once you add in taxes, title, and registration.

Which, for a Lexus that gets a combined 35 mpg on the EPA test cycle, probably isn't so bad.

If you want the Lexus Enform and Safety Connect systems, a one-year trial subscription is included with every new HS.

After that, it's $140 a year for the Safety Connect system (envision a Lexus version of GM's Onstar telematics system) or $265 a year for Lexus Enform with Safety Connect. Multi-year subscriptions will also be available.

[YOUR REFERENCE GUIDE: 2010 Lexus HS250h]