2010 Lexus HS
Based on analysis of 7 HS reviews and test drives.
Lexus HS - What the Auto Press Says
The 2010 Lexus HS ranks 15 out of 17 Upscale Midsize Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 7 published reviews and test drives of the Lexus HS, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
Lexus, the luxury division of Toyota, claims that 60 percent of shoppers who ultimately buy a Prius would be willing to consider a luxury car, if a hybrid-only option were offered to them. Here it is. More luxurious than the Prius, but with lower fuel-economy numbers, the HS250h is the first luxury car built to emphasize fuel-economy over all else.
Some car shoppers have been waiting for the "Lexus Prius" for years. For the 2010 model year, it's here -- but it's hard to know what to make of it.
Your opinion of the HS250h will probably be dictated by your expectations. Those accustomed to the Toyota Prius will most likely find it well-appointed and elegant. Hybridcars.com, a publication accustomed to reviewing only hybrids, calls it "unquestionably luxurious."
Those accustomed to entry-level luxury cars with price tags over $34,000, however, will probably find its accommodations underwhelming. Road and Track, with more extensive experience of the entire range of cars available, calls it merely "near-luxury."
The two opinions help to illustrate the strange place this car owns in the automotive kingdom. Brand new for 2010, the HS250h is the first dedicated hybrid luxury car. Other luxury cars are available with hybrid powertrains - Lexus makes hybrid versions of both its GS sedan and RX crossover, for instance. But those generally manage only a small boost in fuel-efficiency compared to conventionally-powered cars. The HS250h was designed to be a hybrid. That means better fuel economy - this was designed to save gas, where the other Lexus hybrids were designed to perform well and then adapted to save gas. Ths HS offers fuel economy unmatched in its class.
Prius owners, however, might be a bit disappointed by the fuel economy numbers. The HS is rated for 35 mpg in combined driving -- 15 fewer than the 2010 Prius.
The HS also involves more trade-offs than other Lexus hybrids.
It's not that the HS isn't luxurious. It features fine materials, superlative fit-and-finish and intuitive electronics, many not found on more affordable cars. It's just that it doesn't feel like any other Lexus.
Buyers accustomed to the heavy sound dampening found in every other Lexus product, for instance, may find that the HS lets in more road and wind noise than other Lexus cars -- because engineers cut back on the amount of sound absorbing materials in order to save on fuel-sapping weight. Drivers accustomed to the heavily-padded, wide seats common to other Lexus sedans may be surprised by the lightweight, thin-frame seats in the HS.
While most auto writers hesitate to compare the HS to anything, some will discuss how it stacks up against Toyota's hybrid. The comparison, however, only muddies the waters. The HS is certainly more upscale, but a Prius can be ordered with a significant suite of luxury accoutrements -- and even with all of its options, it will be both less expensive and more efficient than this car. Car and Driver complains, "It is less practical than the Prius while returning exactly as much driving satisfaction-which is to say very little-all without the green halo effect that has made the Prius the favorite of the environmentally inclined."
In the end, the HS makes some sense for luxury car buyers who care more about their carbon footprint than their stoplight-to-stoplight experience. But it doesn't always make more sense than a well-equipped Prius. HS shoppers should probably plan to test drive the Toyota before making a commitment.
The HS is available in two trim levels. A base trim includes a full suite of luxury electronics, but uses a grade of leather some reviewers find a little cheap, and smaller, 17-inch wheels. The upscale Premium trim adds larger, 18-inch wheels and a finer grade of leather but no new technologies. Most options are available on either trim level.
As a brand new model, the HS is rarely discounted, but our Lexus Deals page will keep you up-to-date on any available incentives.
- "We have no problem recommending the Lexus HS 250h because it certainly gets two out of three things exactly right: the cabin experience sets a fine mark for what a luxury pure hybrid can be and the driving is enjoyable. It's only the styling that gives us pause long enough to say that we will let other beholders judge that beauty for themselves." -- Autoblog
- "While the two cars have different bodies, different engine sizes, and certainly different personas, you can view the HS 250h as a new Prius with a trunk, a raft of luxury accoutrements, and a different tradeoff between fuel economy and features." -- HybridCars.com
- "This new Lexus is his symphony, an artful balance of several key elements (luxury, hybrid powertrain, advanced technology and ecological sensitivity) all directed to form a harmonious sedan." -- Road and Track
- "In the HS 250h, they'll find a generally well-engineered and executed machine; so far, one in a class of one. If you value mph over mpg and redlines above green ones, there are many more compelling choices in this price range." -- Motor Trend
- "HS is a reasonable choice for those who like the idea of a hybrid, but don't want to sacrifice luxury to own one." -- Consumer Guide
- "If the HS250h isn't going to drive any better than the Prius, we'd rather have the mileage-and the lower monthly payment-of a Prius instead." -- Car and Driver
HS Performance - 7.7 (Good)
The 2010 HS250h will outperform its Prius cousin in every measure except fuel-economy. It won't outperform any luxury competitor in any measure but fuel-economy. Reviewers say its acceleration will meet the needs of most drivers, but it's clearly intended to be a fuel-sipper above all else. Three driving modes allow drivers to vary the balance between fuel-efficiency and performance, but none offer the power luxury buyers are used to. Test drivers, however, tend to be pleasantly surprised by the car's handling dynamics. Read More
HS Exterior - NA
Auto writers have little to say about the exterior of the 2010 Lexus HS. Those who do offer an opinion rarely voice a positive one. But this isn't a car you buy for sex appeal, and it doesn't pretend to be. Read More
HS Interior - 8.3 (Very Good)
Shoppers accustomed to the Prius might find the interior of the HS luxurious and refined. In materials quality and electronics, it is a step up from what Toyota has to offer. Shoppers accustomed to Lexus interiors, however, might find the cabin of the HS a bit of a step down from what the brand typically offers. Lexus vehicles traditionally rely on heavy sound dampening materials, and thick, well-padded surfaces to achieve bank-vault quiet and supple luxury. Lexus couldn't build the HS the same way, however - that much weight would cost the car in fuel economy, cutting into the reason many buyers consider the HS in the first place. Inside, reviewers say, the HS is recognizably a luxury car, but lacks much of the traditional Lexus character. Read More
HS Safety - NA
Neither the federal government nor the insurance industry has released crash test results for the 2010 Lexus HS. The HS carries an extensive list of safety equipment, with a full ten airbags. Lexus has developed several new safety technologies for the HS, including a telematics system, much like GM's OnStar, that will contact emergency services in the event of an accident. Read More
HS Reliability - 9.0 (Excellent)
The 2010 Lexus HS reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). As an entirely new model, the HS has no reliability history, and thus represents something of a risk for its first buyers. The Lexus brand, however, has a strong reliability reputation. Lexus protects HS buyers with a 48-month, 50,000-mile warranty. Read More
