2010 Lexus HS 250h - Review

High Gear Media Staff

4,377 views January 8, 2009

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2010

OVERALL RATING 8
out of 10

The world gets a new Lexus hybrid next week, and it's not a version of an existing Lexus vehicle. As our colleagues over at AllAboutPrius.com predicted last year, the new 2010 Lexus HS 250h will be a spin-off of the brand-new 2010 Toyota Prius (shown above).

While enjoying sales success and critical acclaim with its Prius and Camry hybrid models, Toyota has taken an arguably more cautious approach with hybrid technology at sister luxury division Lexus. To date, Lexus has only offered a hybrid SUV (the RX 400h), a hybrid full-size luxury sedan (LS 600h), and a hybrid mid-sized sports sedan (GS 450h). All three vehicles have focused more on performance than on efficiency, with powerful V-6s and V-8s being fortified with Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive electric motors for even more accelerative force. While the hybrid technology does allow less gasoline consumption in the city, the mileage improvements offered by Lexus' three hybrids have been respectable rather than impressive.

That is...