No Lexus HS250h for Europe, hybrid IS instead
2010 Lexus HS 250h – Click above for high-res image gallery
Lexus has apparently decided not to offer its new HS250h sedan to European buyers. Instead of the luxury dedicated hybrid, EU buyers will be able to opt for a hybridized version of the IS sedan. Since the IS is a rear wheel drive platform rather than the front wheel drive setup used on the HS, it will likely use a variation of the system used in the larger GS450h. The GS has a significantly more sporting feel to it than the HS and incorporating that system into the IS would probably be much more appealing to European drivers than the HS. Toyota has previously announced its intention to offer a hybrid option in almost every one of its models over the next decade, so a hybrid IS was almost inevitable anyway.
Gallery: First Drive: Lexus HS 250h
Photos copyright ©2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: AutoCar]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dave 4:27PM (7/22/2009)
Toyota should bring the IS hybrid to the US, too. It seems like there's a good number of people who would like a "sporty", RWD, fuel efficient sedan.
I would like one, but not at Lexus prices.
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downtoearth 5:20PM (7/22/2009)
Not only sportier but also much sexier. IS is one of the Lexus best designs.
The car needs more rear legroom and larger boot though. They overcooked with its sleek lines and left to little space behind the first row of seats. Some compact cars are more spacious in this aspect.
Evan 4:29PM (7/22/2009)
In other words: the HS isn't good enough for Europeans, but it's good enough for Americans?
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Chris M 4:47PM (7/22/2009)
Not necessarily, there may be other factors, such as: where the different models are built, which in turn determine shipping costs. It may also reflect differences in customer preference - luxury car buyers in Europe may be more concerned with performance and less concerned with fuel economy, compared to the US.
Jimbo 5:01PM (7/22/2009)
Not to mention that a non-hybrid HS is already sold in Europe as the Toyota Avensis. AFAIK, there isn't any model overlap between the Toyota and Lexus models in Europe like there is in the U.S. (ie. no ES, GX, or LX). So keeping with that policy, there wouldn't be a hybrid HS for Europe, but there will likely be a hybrid Avensis.
stevejust 4:51PM (7/22/2009)
I doubt they'll sell 25,000 of them in this economy. I was interested in waiting for this car to come out, but here's my choices: get a 2010 Prius with solar roof option, nav, jbl stereo, etc.,. for about $28,000 and get 50 mpg, or get this car for $34,000 and only get 34 mpg. If it looked better, maybe. But it's ugly in a Prius sort of way.
Yeah, I like all the innovative green(er) tech that went into the interior, but why would I pay that much more money to get that much less mpgs? Now, if instead this was about a $34,000 IS that gets 40 or 44 mpg for $34,000, then the decision wouldn't be so clear.
I'd love to see the decision tree someone goes through who buys this car.... and the decision tree Lexus used to greenlight this project. They keep saying that this car is supposed to compete not with fuel efficient cars, but with other luxury cars -- a way for luxury buyers to feel less guilty. If that was my concern, though, I'd just get a 335d. Because if I cared that much about what I drove, I'd care about what it looked like too.
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downtoearth 5:38PM (7/22/2009)
I'd go with the Prius III any day, necessarily adding 17' wheels. They improve handling significantly and make for a killer look.
http://www.autobloggreen.com/photos/chicago-2009-2010-toyota-prius/1353907/
http://digitaljuju.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/2010toyotapriuslive_07.jpg
http://www.autobloggreen.com/photos/2010-toyota-prius-7/1394610/
A must for the Prius is the explicit color. White, black or red. This car needs a clear tone to look best.
Another option would be either the Fusion Hybrid (43 mpg are real) or the power hybrid, the Nissan Altima hybrid. 35 mpg and 0-60 in some 7.5 sec from the tuned Camry hybrid drivetrain..
For lower budget option with fun factor included the Accord V6 hybrid is the way to go. Faster than the V6 Accord, with 30 mpg possible and an ordinary automatic 6 speed transmission for those who don't favor a CVT: youtube.com/watch?v=q_1p3G9V2pU
Lorena Palin 11:27PM (7/22/2009)
I'd take the IS hybrid over the HS. If I'm buying a god damn luxury car, I want performance.
Or a Jag Diesel...of course they are only in Europe...anyone see that top gear episode where they had to drive something like 700 miles on one tank of gas? They all got diesels, Hammond got a VW lupo or something and was getting close to 80 mpg the whole way...by going 35, May got a subaru diesel because it had a big gas tank, and Jeremy clarkson hated the challenge and wanted his car to run out of fuel first so he wouldn't have to do it. Anyway, he got a Jag diesel, did 70 the whole way aside from when he was stuck in traffic, blasted the sterio, had the AC on full, and still got a little over 40 mpg...now that's luxury.
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Nozferat 3:14AM (7/23/2009)
Wow this car is hideous. Why would they rebadge a Corolla and call it a Lexus?
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Lorena Palin 8:02AM (7/23/2009)
...Yes.
Seriously, one of my friends parents have a lexus sedan, I think an ES, and half of the interior looks exactly like my dad's camry, just in a different color with fake wood here and there.