Lexus HS250h: What Price Green Luxury?

Awfully similar to the cheaper Prius.

By Gunnar Heinrich | IMG Lexus USA

SHOE horned between the IS and the ES, two very different near-luxury models that Lexus leases and sells to customers who value their cars as much as, say, they do their toaster or freezer (not quite fair for the IS, but still) fits the new HS.

The HS 250h is meant to cater to those moneyed but Green minded,  “fair trade” types who were having to rough it all these years in their second generation Priuses for the sake of  Mother Nature and, well, their politically correct images.  So anticipated was this new model, Lexus received 1,500 pre-orders in Japan alone.

Despite our better instincts, Lexus says that the HS is distinct from the Prius. The suspension and engine are Lexus’ own 187 hp VVTi four banger, not the small, 98 hp unit that powers the Toyota eco hatch.

And yet, with a no-options  price of $34K, Lexus demands a $12K premium over the $22K Prius. Where’s the added value?

Judging from the HS’ similar architecture (HS has a trunk), the base rate materials used (plastic wood’s cut-rate), shared Prius gear, a higher cd – 0.27 v. 0.25 (more windnoise), combined fuel economy that averages 35 mpg against the Prius’ 50 mpg, you might think that if there’s a premium to be paid, the benefits of shelling out more for the Lexus are well hidden.