2010 Lexus HS 250h
With the Prius, Toyota has won the heart and the money of Americans who want a good family car that makes a social statement. It is a dedicated hybrid, meaning that no other powertrain is offered, its unique look and let the viewers know it’s a hybrid. For 2010, the luxury brand of Toyota, Lexus, follows the same formula with the SH 250h, a hybrid with a stamp dedicated to luxury. The HS is not as efficient as the Prius, but she improves her little sister in any way.
Model Lineup
The 2010 HS Lexus 250h is offered in only two trim levels: Base and Premium. Among standard features are leather upholstery, dual-zone control automatic air conditioning, adjustable front seats, electric door opener universal garage, a 10-speaker AM / FM stereo with 6-CD changer and Bluetooth Audio Streaming. The Premium adds leather seats semi-aniline, which are heated and ventilated front, P225/45R18 tires, power steering and auto-dimming mirrors.
The HS has an impressive list of standard safety features including dual front airbags, front side airbags, rear side airbags, side curtain airbags, front knee airbags for driver and front passenger active head restraints, monitor tire pressure, the fight against-lock brakes with Electronic Brake force and brake assist, traction control and electronic stability control.
Option packages include the Touring package with two tone leather upholstery, sport suspension and sport pedals. The navigation system has voice command package, remote control touch, a reversing camera and Enform Lexus with Safety Connect telematics system. Included in the package of technology are intuitive Park Assist, Pre-Collision System with Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning and an extraordinary range-front screen that shows a bumper’s eye and works until 7 mph . A Mark Levinson audio system surround-sound with 15 speakers, 330 watts of power and the DVD-Audio playback is also available.
Under the Hood
The 2010 Lexus 250h HS is mainly powered by the same hybrid powertrain of the Toyota Camry hybrid, but with an exhaust system added heat recovery. Capturing the heat of the exhaust allows the engine to warm more quickly, which lets the engine start / stop function to work sooner, thus improving fuel economy. The 2.4-liter 4-cylinder produces 147 horsepower and 138 lb.-ft. of torque. It is mated to an automatic continuously variable transmission with an internal power splitter device that sends power to two electric motors, one that acts as a generator and one that provides the driving force. The system nickel-metal hydride puts out a peak of 40 horses, Upping total system to 187 horsepower.
Fuel Consumption of EPA is 35 mpg city/34 mpg highway, versus 33/34 mpg in the Camry. The HS is eligible as a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV), which means it runs 90 percent cleaner than the average new vehicle model year.
Inner Space
Inside, the HS 250h is reminiscent of a Toyota Prius dressed, but without many features to encourage efficient conduct. The same shift-by-wire electrically activated shifter is on the right of the steering wheel, and a similar center stack juts towards the driver.
The materials are a step up, however, more soft-touch surfaces and a few well-stitched faux leather covering the dashboard and center console. Lexus says that 30 percent of the surface molding in the interior and trunk is made of recyclable plastic green herbal. The plastic seems strong and there is no way to distinguish between it and the plastic internal standard.
Like the Prius, the HS 250h has a multi-information display that shows information such as average fuel economy, the energy flow of the drivetrain and battery charge level. It is also surrounded by a bar that can help you drive more efficiently. Keep the needle in the green zone and you are effective to move the needle toward the white area and you lose fuel. Opt for the navigation package and you also get greater energy flow page, plus a screen that shows the economy average fuel consumption in increments of one or five minutes, and the performance of regenerative braking on these periods.
The navigation screen appears on the upper center console. Its functions are controlled by the system to new Lexus’ Touch Remote. Touch Remote uses a command interface mouse that provides force feedback so the user can “feel” the virtual buttons on the navigation screen. The controller falls easily to hand and is more pleasant and easier to use than the interface systems from BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz.
Families will find inside helpful. The front seats offer a vertical position, and a standard tilt / telescoping steering wheel helps tailor position a seat comfortable for drivers of all sizes, except perhaps very large, who want more flexibility and legs. Small-item storage is adequate, with a small but deep center console bin, two cupholders and center bottle holders in each door. The rear seat is also helpful, with enough room for a pair of 6-foot adults or three children. A standard folding center with a pair of cupholders integrated aid rear seat comfort.
While the chest has an opening large enough decent and 12.1 cubic feet of cargo space, rear seats do not fold down to accommodate more objects.
On the road
The HS 250h shares its platform with the base Toyota Prius, Lexus, but has strengthened the structure and the opportunity to enhance the comfort and handling. Buyers will not be confused with HS sports sedan, though. While the car is tighter than the Prius, with less body lean in turns, it feels a bit heavy and does not dive into corners like all sports entry luxury cars. The electric steering also feels numb and artificially firm, especially when she stiffened at high speed.
The HS is considerably more powerful than the Prius. It is based on the extent of 2.4-liter 4-cylinder, which OOMPH enough to power the base Toyota Camry itself. The electric motor provides instantaneous power from a stop, and Lexus claims the HS is capable of reaching 60 mph in 8.4 seconds. The drawback, however, is that the engine is fairly noisy and gruff under throttle, which is unworthy of a Lexus.
Like other Toyota hybrids, the HS can start on electric power alone and cut the engine at red lights and fires in some of the load cruising conditions. Drivers can choose to go with electric power only by pressing the “EV” button, but the engine light if the throttle is used too aggressively and when the car reaches 20 mph. Pressing the “Eco Mode” produces slightly better fuel economy but dulls throttle response, and using the “PWR Mode makes the accelerator more sensitive, but detrimental to fuel economy.
Right for You?
The 2010 HS Lexus 250h will appeal to families who want a luxury car but also want to look and go green. It can carry five people comfortably and offers a more refined interior and powertrain reactive than the Prius. If these traits appeal to you, the HS will be an excellent choice. However, if you want a sport sedan or a car with a traditional insulation Lexus, there are better choices.
Strengths
* Excellent fuel economy
* Environmentally friendly
* The quality and reliability Lexus
Weaknesses
* The engine lacks refinement Lexus
* No folding rear seats
* Artificial feel
Bottom Line
HS The Lexus 250h is the next logical step up from the Toyota Prius. Although it does not offer industry-leading fuel economy of Toyota, it does not much compromise in terms of power, handling and luxury interior. It is likely to be priced with luxury sport sedans, though, so it will appeal mostly to buyers who want a family car that is both green and comfortable, not fast and sporty.
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