We test drove the HS250 a couple of days ago, and frankly, we were disappointed. It has a harsh ride, and is noisy inside compared to most other cars. If you have to have a hybrid similar to this, a hybrid Camry would be a better choice. It's quieter, and has a better ride. Too bad Toyota didn't decide on a luxury version of the Prius--heated, cooled memory seats, etc., and fix the suspension. So far, Toyota has failed to come up with a luxury, fuel-efficient car.

"Lexus has put three modes into the transmission program .. Power .. Normal .. Economy"

Nice! From when I test drove the 2010 Prius, I only remember Economy and Sport. Could you select neither, and it would be a Normal mode?

I like this Lexus.
Now, if they can just make it a PHEV and allow me to both have my cake and eat it too by being able to match the Prius 50mpg and keeping the 187 horsepower!


Nice!

Soooo..... if you didn't care about styling at all, how does this compare to the 2010 Prius if you compared the them feature-to-feature, option-to-option? If you compare the Package V Prius to the "250h Premium," do they have the same features (no options; just the standard car) ? How much more does the Lexus cost? $5,000 ? Both have GPS and backup cameras. Both have leather. http://autos.yahoo.com/2010_lexus_hs_hybrid/

The list price on the HS we test drove was a bit over $41,000. But you get some Lexus goodies like heated/cooles front seats, and memory seats.

Wait a few weeks, and you should be able to find one in the 30s, where it should be.

Right now, I have all of my new car purchasing plans on hold. The auto industry seems to be changing rapidly right now, and I'm waiting to see the major change before I commit to the purchase of a new car. With so many major automakers announcing new hybrids, and with the first luxury dedicated hybrid (Lexus HS), and PHEVs right around the corner, I think I'm going to wait two years to see what materializes, and then I'm going to buy. (note: this is my own personal decision. I in no way think anyone reading this forum should postpone the purchase of a new Prius - it's one heck of a sweet car!)

Actually I disagree with your assessment. In Japan the wait for the new Lexus 250h is 8 months due to the ordering frenzy and Lexus low estimate of demand, so I doubt the price will be coming down much in fact you may find dealers charging a premium. Secondly the rate of change in in hybrid technology is only going to be faster in two years than it is now so the time to buy is now or how much more will you decide to wait two years from now. It's like electronics, what you buy now will be outdated tomorrow but the change continues so waiting is futile.

Actually, unless you really want the ventilated memory seats, you're better off getting a Camry hybrid. It gets basically the same mileage, has a much better ride, and is quieter than the HS. Not to mention that it is $10,000 cheaper fully equipped. But then you don't get the snob appeal of a Lexus..........

WHich car is bigger?

Or LED's ... or loads of extra safety features ... or the instrument panel / trackball-like Remote Touch control system that Popular Mechanics says is “so good it makes every other system seem outdated.” ... or water-repellant front door glass ... etc. Life is full of trade offs

But hey! This is a Lexus hybrid ... we got our own forum on PC finally ... I vote we move this dialog over there ... anybody? ... anybody?
.

The Camry has more room in the rear seat. The front seat in both are OK. The Camry also has fold-down rear seats, although the pass-through opening is pretty small. Luggage room is small on both.

None of wnich makes up for the rough ride and road noise. It is definitely the least Lexus-like in their stable.

After watching a 41mpg Ford Fusion Hybrid commercial yesterday, I couldn't help but to think about the Camry hybrid's mpg in my head. Hmmm. Interesting. I hope Toyota steps up to the plate with the next model year of Camry hybrid and gets it up to at least 41mpg.

I wouldn't worry about it. In a car magazine test, the two cars had about the same mileage.

Spotted in the wild.

I saw an HS250H today in Lake Forest, CA. I was driving and so was the HS250H, so I only saw it briefly, but I am 100% positive that it was an HS250H. It looked good (of what I was able to see of it). I saw the front and side of the car.

Wow. I'm glad I don't live that far north.
I wonder how inexpensive they are at the southern tip of South America. Maybe I'll swim down there and buy one.

You should've stopped by ... it was a nice day for a boat ride


.

Isn't the Lexus H a luxury version of the Camry H, and not the Prius? That's my impression. Also, having seen a Ford Fusion H in a parking lot today, it's basis of comparison is the Camry H also, not the Prius. The Prius is quite a unique car.