Lexus Rates HS 250h at 35 MPG

According to Lexus, when the HS 250h goes on sale late this summer, the vehicle will manage 35 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway.

That fuel economy would easily make the HS 250h the most fuel-efficient luxury vehicle on the market, beating vehicles like the Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec (23/32 mpg), BMW 335d (23/36) and Lexus’s own RX 450h (32/28).

The HS 250h does trail non-luxury hybrid vehicles, however, most notably the Ford Fusion Hybrid (41/36 mpg), which is larger and more powerful than the Lexus hybrid.

The Lexus HS 250h will be the first dedicated luxury hybrid on the market, meaning there’s no gas-only version. The HS 250h has a tad less passenger and cargo room than the Toyota Corolla.

Toyota expects to sell about 25,000 HS 250hs annually. Lexus hasn’t released pricing information yet, though published reports have speculated a base price of $32,000.

Lexus' hybrid sedan can get 35 mpg (Detroit Free Press)

Comments

hmm, i expected better, especially given how well the fusion did.

disappointing..

I am disappointed with the mileage numbers. I have owned several Lexus' and currently have a Prius, so was waiting for the HS. However, from pictures I have seen, the Mercury Milan Hybrid looks equally luxurious, is bigger, more powerful and gets better mileage. But it is hard to beat Lexus' quality and reliability.

Those definitely aren't great mileage numbers, especially if it's approximately the size of a Corolla.

For a luxury car. This cars mpg is good. If someone wants a reliable luxury hybrid car then this car is it. This is Toyota's first hybrid only luxury. If this vehicle is successful (which i think it could be) then I could see Toyota improving on the mpg in the next build.
That being said for those who want this car just to have a hybrid then I agree there are better lower costing options out there.

First of all many of the features on this car are available on the Prius or Fusion- both of which top out in the low $30k range. Its not like you cant get uplevel options on those cars so there isnt much point to this vehicle unless you just want a Lexus badge. Not only is the Fusion cheaper and more efficient- its larger and better looking. Saying this car has "great mileage for a luxury car" is pointless because its a luxury car by name only. Its small and has a weak powertrain- it wouldn't be a luxury car if it didn't have a Lexus badge.

OS I agree with you. If I had to put my money down on a Hybrid. It'd the Ford Fusion. You can't beat the bang for your buck plus it looks much nicer than the Lexus.

To Be clear I meant it would be the Ford Fusion.

$32k for a Corolla hybrid? hahahaha ... i'm sure this thing will sell like hot cakes. maybe 2 or 3 generations down the road it'll become something actually worthwhile

There seems to be some misinformation being spread about this new Lexus, and it's not fact based. For instance the posting says it has less interior room than a Corolla, yet the wheelbase is four inches longer than the Corolla's and the overall length is seven inches longer than a Corolla. Edmunds.com calls the new Lexus a midsize car -same as the Fusion, and its wheelbase is within an inch of the Fusion. Speaking of which, OS, why do you insist on always making your posts an import vs. domestic thing? Since you opened the door, you are way off base calling the Lexus powertrain small and weak - what's your basis for such a biased statement? The Detroit Free Press reports it has a 2.4 liter gas engine that produces 147 hp and an electric motor good for 140 hp, and Hybrid Synergy drive allows the two to combine forces when needed. That doesn't sound small or weak for a car that slots in on the small end of the midsize segment.

Hybrit;

The car is weak for a luxury model and has less power than the cheaper Fusion. Luxury customers expect a certain level of performance which is why the RX400h has a robust engine and decent acceleration. This car doesn't look like a luxury vehicle and it wont perform like one. Even though its not on the Corolla platform and offers more space it LOOKS like a Corolla. The $32k starting price is great but what about options? Lexus vehicles offer numerous pricey packages and this car will probably be $40k with all the bells and whistles.

Also, can you explain to me how I made this "import vs domestic" when I mentioned the Prius? The Prius is made in Japan. The Prius is more than enough car for most hybrid lovers, especially the new model that has lexus like options. What is the point of the HS250 other than boosting profits for Toyota?

OS, you're making assumptions about the power level of the Lexus before seeing it or driving it. Based on real world tests, we know the Fusion hybrid is a great car, but its gasoline engine only has a nine horsepower edge over the Lexus engine, and the Fusion is a slightly larger car. It sounds like the electric motor in the Lexus is very powerful and can propel the vehicle on electricity-only for two to three miles. I can't speculate on the performance of the Lexus when you combine the electric and gasoline components of its drivetrain, and I don't think you should be either. If anyone has information on a road test of the new Lexus Hybrid, please share it.

OK, I did my own research. Edmunds.com says the total output of the Fusion Hybrid is 191 HP, and the total output of the slightly smaller and lighter Lexus HS 250h is 187 hp.
Edmunds.com tested the Fusion and achieved a 0 to 60 time of 8.7 seconds. Lexus reports the HS250h is faster, with a time of 8.4 seconds.

I'll take the larger, cheaper, better looking car if I was really that obsessed with mileage. As I said, the only reason to get the Lexus is to have the luxury badge. The car offers the same mileage as the Camry hybrid and less space for $4k-$5k more.

Good for you - we all like the Fusion hybrid. Please cease and desist from calling the Lexus powertrain weak.

187hp is weak for a luxury vehicle costing over $30k. Thats not really debatable. Instead of cutting edge hybrid technolgy you are basically getting the camry hybrid powertrain in a more expensive package.

You're wrong and the facts prove it. Nobody calls the Fusion Hybrid weak, and the Lexus is faster. Your standards of what a luxury car should be are wrongheaded and don't belong in the 21st century. By your reckoning only a 500 cubic inch cadillac should be considered a luxury car.

Lexus has a winner on it's hands with this car as finally someone brings to market a true luxury hybrid sedan that's affordable. Since Toyota already licenses part of their hybrid technology to Ford surely the Fusion will end up benefiting too as Toyota learns to further refine their world class hybrid powertrains. I'm glad Ford is making the most of their relationship with Toyota. I can't wait to see more pics.