2012 Lexus Lineup Gets Minor Price Changes

When Lexus’ 2012 lineup hits dealerships later this summer through the fall, nearly half will have the same price as the outgoing 2011 versions. Price increases for other model and trims are minimal, ranging from $200 to $700.

Most of the 2012 lineup remains pretty much unchanged compared with 2011, too. There’s no GS sedan for 2012, but an all-new 2013 Lexus GS 350 was just unveiled and will go on sale in early 2012; pricing hasn’t been announced.

The 2012 Lexus CT 200h gets a standard virtual engine sound — similar systems are found on the Infiniti M35h and Nissan Leaf. A new F Sport Package is available on the CT 200h as a factory option on Premium trims only. Pricing isn’t known.

The 2012 Lexus HS 250h makes use of more eco-friendly bioplastic materials upholstery and carpeting in the cabin. The 2012 GX 460 now has bodyside moldings and high-gloss-finished 18-inch wheels standard.

The 2012 Lexus IS F gets new 19-inch wheel designs, wider rear tires and new shock absorbers, all of which will improve handling, Lexus says. The IS F comes with red leather upholstery for 2012, replacing the two-toned orange/black setup.

Destination fees for all models are set at $875, the same as last year. Continue reading below for more pricing details.

Hybrids Surge on Cars.com, Trucks Suffer

Yesterday, we illustrated how higher gas prices can affect consumer preferences on Cars.com and ultimately real-world car purchases. After analyzing the last 30 days of search data, we see that hybrids and fuel-efficient vehicles are the biggest beneficiaries of the sudden rise in gas prices, and heavy-duty trucks, large luxury cars and SUVs are the biggest losers.

Out of the 15 vehicles that have seen the most improved search traffic over the last 30 days, eight are hybrids.

The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid saw an 1,836% increase in traffic month-over-month on Cars.com. The Sonata Hybrid originally hit dealerships in January, according to Hyundai spokesman Miles Johnson, but the car was delayed soon thereafter over impending legislation requiring noisemakers in hybrids and electric vehicles. Miles says the Sonata Hybrid has a noisemaker, but owners have the option to turn it off, which is similar to the system in the Nissan Leaf. Hyundai modified the system in the hybrid so it doesn’t have an option to turn off the virtual engine sound anymore. The car went back on sale sometime this week.

2010 Toyota Prius, 2010 Lexus HS 250h Recalled

Toyota has announced a recall of 133,000 2010 Prius hybrids and 14,500 2010 Lexus HS 250h hybrids to update software for the cars’ braking systems. The software will address a glitch in the antilock brakes, which when engaged on rough road surfaces or during inclement weather can lead to a loss of braking control.

It’s not known when dealers will have the software update, but Toyota says it will release the details “soon.” Prius owners will be notified next week with Lexus HS owners notified in the next few weeks.

This latest recall falls weeks after the company halted sales of its most popular models over sticky accelerator pedals. The Prius and Lexus HS were not part of that recall nor were they part of last year’s recall of more than 4 million cars for faulty floormats.

Prius owners with vehicles built since May 2009 — check your car’s driver-side doorjamb for a sticker that lists this date — are included. Every Lexus HS 250h, however, is included.

There is no halt on sales of new cars already on dealer lots. Cars currently being assembled have already had the issue addressed.

For more information, owners can call the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 800-331-4331.

Cars.com Podcast: 2010 Acura TSX, 2010 Audi S5, 2010 Lexus HS 250h

A few new models get extra power and editors Mike Hanley, Kelsey Mays and David Thomas discuss if they need the added oomph and corresponding price tags or not. Then they tackle Lexus’ first dedicated hybrid and if it is able to wear both a green halo and a luxury one at the same time.

Download the podcast via iTunes here or hit the play button below to listen in your browser.

Cars.com Podcast #38

2010 Lexus HS250h Video

Lexus’ first dedicated hybrid lives up to the brand’s luxury cachet inside, but how does it do on the road? As a hybrid? Cars.com’s Mike Hanley finds out in this video and also shows off some of the car’s unique technology features. You have to watch until the end though, the as-tested price nearly floored us. That’s one pricey hybrid, Lexus or not.

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)