Reader Review of the Week: 2010 Lexus HS 250h

“Hybrid Convert” from Fontana, Calif., spent 20 years in two different luxury cars. When it came to his next purchase, he wanted to increase his fuel economy and decrease his carbon footprint. This led him to Lexus’s high-end hybrid, the 2010 HS 250h. Despite some disappointment with the car’s performance, this is one driver whose very name explains how he feels about his purchase. Read the full review of the 2010 Lexus HS 250h, and then write a review of your own vehicle here.

Pricing Announced for the 2010 Lexus HS 250h

Lexus has announced pricing for its dedicated hybrid model, the HS 250h. The base model will have a starting price of $34,200, while the Premium trim will go for $36,970. These prices do not include a destination fee of $875.

The HS 250h has an EPA rating of 35/34 mpg city/highway, and Lexus says the vehicle produces 70% fewer smog-forming emissions than the average new car. The HS 250h also offers four drive modes that allow drivers to choose how efficiently they want to drive: Normal, Power, Eco and EV.

The Premium trim will add such amenities as heated/ventilated leather front seats, rain-sensing windshield wipers, wood trim, 18-inch alloy wheels and heated exterior mirrors. Those are often standard from other near-luxury brands, like Acura.

The HS 250h will reach dealerships in August.

More news on the Lexus HS 250h

2010 Lexus HS 250h: First Drive

The 2010 Lexus HS 250h — the company's first stand-alone hybrid — won't hit dealerships until September, but my first drive of some pre-production models left me confident it will be a solid hit.

When you break it down, the two most important facets of any hybrid are its mileage and its price. The HS 250h is EPA rated at 35/34 mpg city/highway, with a combined rating of 35 mpg. Though the price won't be set until closer to the on-sale date, estimates put it in the mid-$30,000 range. Compared with the 2010 Toyota Prius' 51 mpg and the midsize Ford Fusion Hybrid's 41 mpg ratings (both in city driving), 35 mpg doesn't seem too impressive, but in the world of luxury cars, it's unbeatable — especially because it calls for regular gas, not premium.