Soaking up the road irregularities falls to a set of Modified MacPherson struts up front and modified upper and lower wishbones in the rear. Both suspensions were chosen for compactness. The MacPherson struts and the electric power steering leave more room under the hood for the 2.4-litre Atkinson-cycle gas engine as well as the electronic controllers. In the rear, the wishbone package leaves enough room to have a large trunk and an opening large enough to get your full-sized suitcases through.
Driving the HS 250h in town takes getting used to, since the car will run a good portion of the time on electricity and pedestrians don’t hear you coming. Even when the gas engine cuts in, there is little exterior noise to give you away.
Parking does take a bit of practice. There are no backup sensors on the HS 250h unless you order the Ultra Premium Package with the Sat/Nav/backup camera system. Even without the system, parallel parking takes about ten minutes of practice to perfect. The car is the right size for nearly every parking space.
If you are one of the owners who faces lengthy commutes, rest assured the 187 horsepower (combined gas and electric) will move you down the road, from lane to lane and up the on ramp at a good rate. Lexus has put three modes into the transmission program, starting with Power which alters the way the system reacts when you put your foot down. Next is normal, which is where the fuel economy numbers were measured from. Economy can provide up to a 7% improvement in fuel economy and is great for use on freeways or open roads.
One thing that I found with the HS 250h was that I never felt stressed or the need to race around in traffic. I was in my own little comfortable world. The need to hurry or push hard in corners (which you can do with glee if so inclined) just wasn’t there. When I say the car was a joy to drive, I mean the opposite of huge grins and white knuckles. It was relaxing and refreshing. As the movie guys say: “two thumbs up!”
MSRP is $39,900 for entry level Premium model and the price with the Ultra Premium, fully loaded is $48,750.
photo:Charles Renny
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| There are no backup sensors on the HS 250h unless you order the Ultra Premium Package with the Sat/Nav/backup camera system. |
Driving the HS 250h in town takes getting used to, since the car will run a good portion of the time on electricity and pedestrians don’t hear you coming. Even when the gas engine cuts in, there is little exterior noise to give you away.
Parking does take a bit of practice. There are no backup sensors on the HS 250h unless you order the Ultra Premium Package with the Sat/Nav/backup camera system. Even without the system, parallel parking takes about ten minutes of practice to perfect. The car is the right size for nearly every parking space.
If you are one of the owners who faces lengthy commutes, rest assured the 187 horsepower (combined gas and electric) will move you down the road, from lane to lane and up the on ramp at a good rate. Lexus has put three modes into the transmission program, starting with Power which alters the way the system reacts when you put your foot down. Next is normal, which is where the fuel economy numbers were measured from. Economy can provide up to a 7% improvement in fuel economy and is great for use on freeways or open roads.
One thing that I found with the HS 250h was that I never felt stressed or the need to race around in traffic. I was in my own little comfortable world. The need to hurry or push hard in corners (which you can do with glee if so inclined) just wasn’t there. When I say the car was a joy to drive, I mean the opposite of huge grins and white knuckles. It was relaxing and refreshing. As the movie guys say: “two thumbs up!”
MSRP is $39,900 for entry level Premium model and the price with the Ultra Premium, fully loaded is $48,750.
 |
| One thing that I found with the HS 250h was that I never felt stressed or the need to race around in traffic. |
photo:Charles Renny
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