Overview

The sporty Lexus HS 250h is a compact luxury hybrid sedan. Its powertrain is similar to that of the Toyota Camry Hybrid. The HS 250h offers more power than the Toyota Prius but consumes more fuel. The 2011 model is a carryover from the previous year.

The standard 2011 Lexus HS 250h features 17-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery, sunroof, power accessories including 8-way power front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, some power accessories, Bluetooth connectivity, and a 10-speaker sound system. The HS 250h Premium trim steps up to 18-inch wheels and adds more automatic and power accessories, plus upgraded leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and some cosmetic enhancements. The Technology option package includes adaptive cruise control and several safety features. Other options include adaptive LED headlights, premium sound system, hard-drive-based navigation system, rear spoiler, and a premium parking system with front and rear cameras.

The standard power plant in the 2011 Lexus HS 250h is a 2.4-liter, inline 4-cylinder engine, teamed with two electric motor/generators. All together, they produce 187 horsepower and deliver 35 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA. A continuously variable transmission (which functions like an automatic) and front-wheel drive are standard.

Standard safety features on the 2011 Lexus HS 250h include anti-lock disc brakes with brake assist, stability control, traction control, front and rear side air bags, side curtain air bags, and front knee air bags. Lexus' proprietary system for bracing riders when impact appears imminent is packaged with the optional adaptive cruise control, along with lane-departure warning and driver-alert systems. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the HS 250h highest-possible "Good" ratings in frontal-offset and side-impact crash tests.

Starting MSRP for the 2011 Lexus HS 250h was $36,330.