The tester also got heated leather seats, a powerful CD-changer audio system, automatic climate control and a full arsenal of power accessories. There’s a generous centre console, two cup-holders and a handy change tray with lid, too.
In all, most shoppers won’t find issue with space or storage-- and many will agree that the HS hits above its weight in terms of luxury, quality and sophistication.
187 partially-electric horses
Just ahead of the cabin is a 2.4 litre four-cylinder engine teamed up with Lexus’s Hybrid Synergy Drive system. Total system output is rated at 187 horsepower, all of which are sent to the front wheels via a CVT transmission.
Unlike earlier hybrids, the HS isn’t compromised or limited in terms of performance. It drives and accelerates like most any other small luxury sedan, and even bogeys along nicely when drivers plant their right foot.
That’s thanks in part to assist from the torquey electric drive motor-- which also enables low-speed, electric-only cruising when drivers aren’t in a rush. All required electricity is generated on board, and there’s no need to plug the HS250h in.
An animated display and power indicator in the instrument cluster show what the gas-electric systems are up to in real time, and several driver-selectable ‘modes’ are offered for fine tuning of one’s preferred combination of performance and mileage at any given time.
On your writers watch during a late-February test-drive, overall mileage averaged around 8L / 100km. Not as impressive as a Prius, but decent given the overall performance and driveability.
Reprogrammed driving dynamics
The winter test-drive also gave your writer a chance to test the HS’s chassis electronics while driving on various amounts of snow and ice. The tester had been given a software update to improve programming of its driver assistance systems, addressing several issues with stability control and ABS operation reported by owners driving Toyota hybrids in the snow.
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| The tester also got heated leather seats. (Photo: Justin Pritchard/Auto123.com) |
In all, most shoppers won’t find issue with space or storage-- and many will agree that the HS hits above its weight in terms of luxury, quality and sophistication.
187 partially-electric horses
Just ahead of the cabin is a 2.4 litre four-cylinder engine teamed up with Lexus’s Hybrid Synergy Drive system. Total system output is rated at 187 horsepower, all of which are sent to the front wheels via a CVT transmission.
Unlike earlier hybrids, the HS isn’t compromised or limited in terms of performance. It drives and accelerates like most any other small luxury sedan, and even bogeys along nicely when drivers plant their right foot.
That’s thanks in part to assist from the torquey electric drive motor-- which also enables low-speed, electric-only cruising when drivers aren’t in a rush. All required electricity is generated on board, and there’s no need to plug the HS250h in.
An animated display and power indicator in the instrument cluster show what the gas-electric systems are up to in real time, and several driver-selectable ‘modes’ are offered for fine tuning of one’s preferred combination of performance and mileage at any given time.
On your writers watch during a late-February test-drive, overall mileage averaged around 8L / 100km. Not as impressive as a Prius, but decent given the overall performance and driveability.
Reprogrammed driving dynamics
The winter test-drive also gave your writer a chance to test the HS’s chassis electronics while driving on various amounts of snow and ice. The tester had been given a software update to improve programming of its driver assistance systems, addressing several issues with stability control and ABS operation reported by owners driving Toyota hybrids in the snow.
 |
| Just ahead of the cabin is a 2.4 litre four-cylinder engine teamed up with Lexus’s Hybrid Synergy Drive system. (Photo: Justin Pritchard/Auto123.com) |