Preview: 2010 Lexus HS 250h

Jul 17 2009 by Sherrice Gilsbach

For me, going green often includes some stress about the eco-product I’m buying. Will it work as well as my old standby, and is it worth the extra bucks out of my budget? The hybrid 2010 Lexus HS 250h has me rethinking my hesitancy about going green. With three distinct drive modes, the HS 250h struts its stuff as a fun-to-drive luxury hybrid that’ll fill your green quota for many miles to come.

With the push of a button, you can choose from EV, Eco and Power drive modes. These modes are paired with an energy monitor that encourages more efficient driving. This monitor displays when the gas engine or electric motor is being used on a screen on top of the center stack. During my test drive at a Lexus event in Newport Beach, Calif., I achieved 38 mpg on the city’s steep roads in the Eco mode. The Power mode lived up to its name; let the good times roll.

For efficiency fanatics, EV mode uses only the electric motor; it can stay in this mode for 1.5-2 miles, as long as you’re going 20 mph or less. EV mode would come in handy during traffic jams.

A few of the HS 250h’s safety features piqued my interest. The available heads-up display projects pertinent information onto the hybrid’s windshield just above the steering wheel. This allows you to know what’s going on — what your speed is, where your next turn should be — without taking your eyes off the road. It also has Lane-Keep Assist, which uses cameras to detect lane markings and keeps the car within them by using the electric power steering to gently correct your course. This feature is only available when the dynamic cruise control is turned on.

One thing the HS 250h doesn’t forgo for efficiency’s sake is technology. From a voice-controlled information system to a backup camera, there’s a lot of tech features in this hybrid.

The backseat is comfy, but it might be too small for bulky infant-safety seats. Although I couldn’t see the Latch connectors, they’re easy to grasp with my finger. The backseat’s center armrest folds down to reveal two cupholders. The trunk’s cargo space is ample for a hybrid sedan.

All of this comes in a pretty lil’ package that’s also earth-friendly. Thirty percent of the HS 250h’s interior is covered in ecological plastics (plant-based plastics). Lexus says this plastic produces 20 percent less carbon-dioxide emissions than traditional plastic when it’s manufactured and during its lifecycle.

There’s a lot to like about this hybrid. I can’t wait for one of the MotherProof.com reviewers to put it through its paces with the family in tow.