I recently saw the new Lexus HS 250h at the Atlanta Auto Show and figured I would share my opinions on Lexus’ only all-new product for this model year. The car I saw was Smokey Granite Mica with black leather interior which looked somewhat better than the silver seen in 
most of the press photos. Please don’t get the wrong idea by that previous statement however, because I remain completely disappointed in this car and Lexus’ efforts…or the very lack thereof. I struggle with the reality that this is what they came up with for the world's first dedicated luxury hybrid- it's utterly pathetic. Recall the splash that the Prius made, partially because it was something completely different and unlike any car before it- a true revelation in the automotive world if I have ever seen one. The LS 600hL, RX 400h, RX 450h, and GS 450h were or are all standouts for some reason while this HS seems like a “D” on Lexus’ straight-A hybrid report card... and I will tell you why.
Stepping back, the exterior styling of the HS 250h appears bland and reminiscent of an economy car- most obviously the previous generation Toyota Corolla. The rear admittedly looks much better in the metal than it does in photos but the long overhangs, tacky body molding, plastic-y front grill, and dinky looking wheels really do nothing to help this poor car. Another glaring oddity of the HS is the solid 6 inches of wheel gap between the top of the tire and the body above. Was this supposed to be a crossover?
Opening the door and taking a look at the interior is equally as uninspiring. Immediately noticeable the deforestation in the interior of this Lexus- wood is scarce- a trend that started with the 2007 ES and brand new RX. Several companies have toyed with painted plastic and aluminum trim accents in recent years, many of which look attractive, but chalk me up as one guy who thinks his luxury 
cars should have more wood trim than say, a Corolla. The only wood trim I saw on this car was a small patch on each door that surrounds the window and door lock controls. Speaking of door panels…who designed these? They are completely flat and devoid of any detail or shape. Lexus seems to think that adding a dash of color at the top of the panel is a sufficient contrast or detail, but this is one area where the Corolla is actually better looking. Ouch.
Mechanically, the HS 250h uses the hybrid system lifted from the Toyota Camry sedan but with a few minor tweaks- one of which is an Atkinson cycle to improve efficiency. The new Lexus rides on the European Toyota Avensis platform which looks to slot somewhere between the IS and ES in overall size. While I don’t much care for the interior or exterior design the drivetrain is probably the biggest pitfall. Lexus should have done something more innovative with the HS 250h’s powerplant. Lifting the hybrid system out of the Camry with a tweak here or there is a let-down, to say the least. This car could have been a technological showcase for Lexus, much like the Prius was for Toyota. Looking at the whole, I fail to see what is so great about something that truly is and looks like a conglomerate of many other, less expensive and less sophisticated pieces, by Lexus standards.
I really could swallow, maybe even like, the Lexus HS 250h if there was something about this car that was redeeming, but unfortunately there isn't. At the heart of its hybrid system is Toyota’s 2.4L 2AZ-FE 4 cylinder engine...an engine that debuted in the 2002 Camry and has seen work in the Highlander, Matrix, Corolla, Rav4 and Scion tC and xB over the years. I have drive
n previous Camrys that had this engine and know first-hand that it is a loud and buzzy powerplant so I hope that Lexus has made some tweaks to bring it up to their standards. Furthermore, Toyota released the brand new 2AR-FE 2.5L 4-cylinder that is miles ahead of the archaic 2AZ so why was that not used for this brand new Lexus, the world's first dedicated luxury hybrid? We are now in the age of direct injection, a technology that Lexus implemented late 2005 with its redesigned GS and IS models. While we are on the topic of engine innovations, Toyota’s Valvematic technology is allegedly just around the corner and has already been implemented in other international markets with great success. With a company that has been as innovative as Lexus in recent years, I am forced tow wonder why the HS goes without any of these technologies? Where is the gas saving/hybrid innovation in the world's first luxury hybrid?
It is theoretical but if the HS 250h has been endowed with the more powerful, more efficient 2.5L AR 4 cylinder engine and direct injection (let alone Valvemetic), the car would have easily been packing a combined output of 200-215hp and probably 43-45mpg combined. That is what is so frustrating about this car- what it could have been.
Taking a guess at what this car will cost and then considering what you are really getting with the HS 250h, I must admit that I would rather have a Camry hybrid and pocket the extra cash. It’s better looking and has the same hybrid technology, plus costs thousands of dollars less. If I wanted to stay with the Lexus brand I would just buy an IS 250 and take a 5mpg penalty in combined driving- it's more than worth it.
If you have not picked up on it by now, I hate this new Lexus. I think it is a poor mockup of what could have been a great idea. Consider the effect that an upmarket Prius-type automobile could have had on the luxury car world- it could have been great. Sadly, Lexus has failed to capitalize on what could have been a moment that was just as game-changing as when the brand was introduced twenty years ago. The HS 250h is the car that could have changed the game, but failed. Badly.
