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Recently we had the chance to take the new Lexus HS 250h sedan out for a drive. The 250h is the second new model to debut in 2009; the IS 350C was the first. 2009 is also the 20th anniversary of Lexus as a brand in the US. The 250h is an all new model not a revised Hybrid version of an existing model and the fourth addition to their line of Gas and Electric Hybrid models.
At first glance the HS 250h looks vaguely like a cross between the Toyota Prius and the Lexus ES. After taking a longer look at the exterior and the interior it becomes apparent that the HS 250h is it's own car.
After driving the car around in scenic Newport Beach in Southern California, I can say that the 250h drives well; it does 0 to 60 in 8.4 seconds which is not too bad for a Hybrid. Powered by a 2.4 liter inline-4, the 250h can crank out well over 170 horsepower. The 250h gets a combined MPG of 35 and runs on 87 Octane.
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The interior is what you would expect from Lexus and feels similar to the first generation Lexus IS series. Fans of the “Remote Touch” controller will be happy to see that the mouse like device is present in the 250h and it allows drivers to adjust the audio, AC, and navigation settings. There is also a dock for your media device and a USB jack located near the cupholder area. The front seats are designed in a way that offers extra leg room to passengers, while not sacrificing comfort to the driver.
You can drive the 250h in one of three driving modes; Power, Eco and EV, the latter mode runs totally on electrical power. The pop up display on the 250h allows you to monitor the energy consumption of the Hybrid engine, or you can use it to display directions from the GPS system.
At $34k the Lexus 250h is around $20k to $70k cheaper than other Lexus Hybrid sedans. The Lexus HS 250h is priced at $34,200 while the HS 250h Premium is $36,970. Visit the official site for more information: Lexus HS 250h
