The 2010 Lexus HS 250h

The 2010 Lexus HS 250h Credit: Toyota Motors

Although it's a hybrid and about the same size, the new Lexus HS 250h is no Toyota Prius. There's good and not-so-good in that.

The good: The HS will out-accelerate and probably out-handle a Prius, comes standard with more features and is sold by dealers who, according to J.D. Power and Associates, do a better job than Toyota retailers of keeping customers happy.

The not-so-good, as you can probably guess, includes the HS 250h's price: $35,075 for the least-expensive version - $44,967 for the more expensive and heavily optioned version I sampled. The various Prius versions range in base prices from $21,750 to $28,420. The HS' interior room is similar to the Prius but its chassis/body is based on the Toyota Avensis sold in Europe, and it shares the Camry hybrid's powertrain, with a combination of 187 hp. from a 2.4-liter gasoline engine and two electric motors. Max output from the Prius' engine/motors combination is 98 hp. So, the HS does zero to 60 in a reasonable 8.4 seconds while the Prius needs a long 9.8 seconds.

The HS' EPA fuel economy estimates of 35 miles per gallon city and 34 highway seem a little optimistic; I averaged less than 32 in a mix of suburban local and highway miles, even though I drove with a light foot and kept the cars in either of the two most efficient modes - EV and ECO.

The HS has two of the same drivability issues as a Prius and Camry hybrid, including hesitation on takeoff - before the engine restarts. Some hybrids' gasoline engines restart as soon as the driver releases the brake, eliminating the hesitation. But those hybrids can't creep along in heavy traffic on the motor alone, as can the Prius, Camry and HS hybrids. The other drivability issue is the groaning engine sound that results from the continuously variable transmission.

Otherwise, the HS is enjoyable to drive or to ride in, with deft handling, a quiet cabin and a suspension that filters most of the harshness from the road. A sport suspension is available.

Consider as an alternative the Mercury Milan Hybrid, which is rated at 41 city and 36 highway, is larger and roomier than the HS and costs $6,000 less. The Milan is a member of what might be the best sedan family Ford Motor Co. has ever produced: the Fusion, Milan, MKZ line.

Lexus is a perennial high scorer in owner surveys by J.D. Power and Consumer Reports magazine measuring vehicle quality and dealers' ability to keep customers satisfied. So, while there is no feedback yet on the HS, it's probably a safe bet.

It has a top, five-star safety rating from the federal government for its front- and side-impact protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety hasn't weighed in yet on this model. And note that the HS is not among the Toyota and Lexus models recalled for possible unintended acceleration.

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