Lexus Kills First Vehicle, Corolla-Like Hybrid

In 2009, Lexus much-anticipated all-dedicated hybrid hit showrooms. Unfortunately, upon first glance, the high-dollar Lexus resembled a gussied-up Toyota Corolla. While the vehicle was a success over in Japan, it never quite caught on fire here in the States. Although the vehicle incorporated the latest high-tech gadgets, the styling was just too conservative and the vehicle was too pricey. Many of the features found in the HS could be found in the Toyota Prius. In fact, sales

Three New Rides Projected to Have High Resale Values

2010 Lexus HS 250h MSRP*: $34,200- $48,525

Category: 3-yr/5-yr Residual

HS 250h Average Residual: 51%/33% of MSRP
Lexus Average Residual : 49%/32% of MSRP
Entry Luxury Average Residual: 49%/32% of MSRP

2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster MSRP*: $36,970- $46,890

Category: 3-yr/5-yr Residual

Nissan 370Z Roadster Average Residual: 52%/36% of MSRP

Nissan Average Residual: 47%/32% of MSRP

Convertible Average Residual: 45%/31% of MSRP

2010 GMC Terrain MSRP*: $24,250- $38,180

Category: 3-yr/5-yr Residual
GMC Terrain Average Residual: 46%Category/31% of MSRP
GMC Average Residual: 41%/28% of MSRP

Compact SUV Average Residual: 46%/31% of MSRP

The GMC Terrain, which replaces the now defunct Pontiac Torrent, and Lexus HS 250h, which is the brand's first entry level hybrid, are both brand new arrivals for the 2010 model year, while the Nissan 370Z has been redesigned for the 2010 model year. Each of the vehicles are expected to maintain a resale value at or above the average residual for its segment over a 3-year and 5-year period based on the most recent data provided by the American Leasing Guide. In fact, these vehicles perform better as it relates to resale value than the other makes in its brand. If you're in the market for one of the aforementioned rides, at least you know they should maintain a significant percentage of their value, as it relates to the MSRP over a period of time.

Resale values are significant if you plan on trading your vehicle with in the next three to five years or if you plan on leasing. A high resale value means that if you're leasing, automakers will be in a position to offer lower payments than traditional financing. Conversely, if you plan on driving your vehicle until the wheels roll off, dependability and reliability are more of a concern than the resale value. To view other 2010 models with high resale values, click here.

To configure the aforementioned vehicles, visit our New-Vehicle Pricing Guide.

*The MSRP excludes advertising fees.

Sources:American Leasing Guide and JeffCars.com

2010 Lexus HS 250h: The Automaker's First 4-Cylinder Hybrid

What’s New:

This is Lexus’s first all-new dedicated hybrid. Not only is it a hybrid, but it is the luxury automaker’s first 4-cylinder. And for Prius customers who have been yearning for an upscale 4-cylinder hybrid, this is Toyota’s answer.

After thoroughly reviewing the Lexus HS 250h for a week, we found this to be one of the most sophisticated vehicles on the road today. It combines the best of luxury, fuel-saving technology and high-tech safety features, enhancing ones driving experience. In fact, we believe that the HS 250h futuristic interior design should serve as the gold standard for the next generation of automobiles.

Must Have Goodies:

If you can afford to drive a Lexus, why skimp on options? You might as well load up your HS 250h with the most advanced technology available from any automaker. In addition to the 10-way power front heated/ventilated seats and the high-end 15-speaker Mark Levinson audio DVD/CD Player, our fully loaded vehicle included such features as a navigational system, a keyless remote starter; a heads up display system, which allowed the driver to keep his eye on the road, viewing the speed, directional arrows from the turn-by-turn navigational system and radio/satellite stations; and a $4,000 tech package.

The tech package included a Lane Keep Assist (LKA) warning system, which works in conjunction with the Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. The optional LKA feature is designed to help drivers stay within their chosen lane and uses Dynamic Radar Cruise Control and the Lane-Departure Warning (LDW) function. LKA and LDW depend on the detection of lane markers by the optional on-board camera, and are intended for use primarily on well-developed roads and highways, with markings.

LDW also alerts the driver of unintentional lane departure by sounding a warning buzzer and displaying an alert. LKA works in conjunction with LDW and the Dynamic Radar Cruise Control to help the vehicle stay in the center of its lane.

Furthermore, the HS 250h pushes the envelope, offering an optional wide-view front monitor, which is similar to the traditional rear view camera. Unlike the rear camera, the front camera improves the driver’s ability to see in the traditionally blind areas around the front of the vehicle. This is specifically helpful when parallel parking or pulling into parking spaces.

What Rocked:

Just like on-demand TV, at the touch of a button or the click of the mouse, our new HS 250h allowed you to keep up with everything from your financial portfolio, as it relates to stock updates, to warnings of an approaching storm to the latest scores of your favorite sports teams to a Energy Consumption Monitor (ECM), which provided a graphic display of the approximate flow of energy within the hybrid system. Seeing the ECM, forces drivers to change their driving habits and strive for fuel efficiency.

And, yes, Lexus’s newest hybrid was equipped with an advanced computer-like stationary mouse to control everything on the Multi-information screen, which was located in the center of instrument cluster. Using the mouse virtually eliminates the nasty finger prints typical of most touch screen computers.

Drivers who aren’t ready to fully embrace all of the sophisticated features in the Lexus can opt out of using the point-and-click mouse to operate the air/heat, audio system and navigational system via the traditional method of adjusting each system by hand. The HS250h airplane-like free flowing center instrument panel extends out to the driver and front passenger seat in a V-shape formation. The forward design console not only makes it easier to read and adjust the different controls, but it also creates a great place to rest your right hand too. Also to capitalize on the comfort, the vehicle came equipped with a sliding adjustable center armrest.

Likewise, the all-new HS 250h also becomes the first Lexus to offer Lexus Enform, a personalized subscription-based safety system. Like GM’s OnStar, Lexus Enform will be available at the touch of a button to serve as a personal concierge, helping occupants to do everything from securing dinner reservations to ordering concert tickets. Toyota offers a similar system on the Prius, which is known as Safety Connect.

The HS 250h also has a small joystick-like gear selector, which serves as a substitute for the traditional gear selector. The Lexus HS 250h gives drivers a peak into the future, as it relates to advanced interior designs. And for God’s sake, Lexus chose a more traditional design to the exterior of the vehicle, as opposed to the bubble shape design of the Prius and Honda’s Insight, which are both dedicated hybrids. Moreover, Lexus chose not to relocate the tachometer and speedometer to the center of the vehicle, as they did with Toyota’s dedicated hybrid, the Prius.

What We Hated:

At first glance, the exterior design of the entry level Lexus hybrid, slightly resembles Toyota’s popular Corolla. However, immediately upon entering the high-tech cabin, thoughts about the Corolla-like exterior design becomes a flash in the pan. In fact, the five-seater HS 250h is much roomier and without a doubt more luxurious than the Corolla. In true form, there is no mistake about the HS 250h being a Lexus - inside and out.

Another minor concern we had is that several times when we attempted to access the three-day weather forecast via the computer screen, it worked intermittently.

Lastly, when driving the vehicle at night, we found it difficult to locate the appropriate gears on the joystick-like gear selector. Lexus should consider adding extra lighting to the gear selector.

Any Juice:

While it’s oxymoronic to associate a 4-cylinder hybrid with power and speed, you won’t be disappointed with this Lexus. As a matter of fact, the HS 250h generates 187 total system horsepower when combined with the electric motor and the 2.4-cylinder Atkinson engine. The vehicle also contains a Power Mode switch, which the driver can use when extra power is needed. Conversely, using the button means you may be sacrificing the maximum fuel efficiency expected in a hybrid.

The Verdict:

In sum, you won’t be disappointed with this smooth-riding five-seater 4-cylinder hybrid. It’s not like any car we’ve driven, with all of its advanced technological features. After spending time behind the wheel of the HS 250h, it’s like learning to drive a car for the very first time. We were able to squeak out 460 miles on one tank. According to the EPA, the entry level Lexus hybrid should produce 35 miles in the city and 34 miles on the highway.

The HS 250h is available in two trim levels, a base and a premium package. The base luxury hybrid kicks off at $34,200 and can easily run up to $48,525 if you opt for the premium package with all of the options.

To sum up, just like the auto industry was transformed when it converted from the horse-and-buggy to gas powered vehicles, we expect the Lexus hybrid to be a change agent, too.

Visit our Car-Buying Toolbox, to price out the HS 250h.

Win Lexus' All-New $34,000 Hybrid for 1-Year

Lexus just announced the price on its all-new 2010 HS 250h, the world's first totally dedicated luxury hybrid. Pricing starts at $34,200. As opposed to buying one, in a rare move, Lexus is allowing you the opportunity to use one for free. If you're interested in winning the use of the vehicle for 1-year or 1-week, click here to register. Spread the word. This could be your opportunity to ride in luxury for free. We've driven the vehicle and we must emphasize that you won't be disappointed with all of the new high-tech offerings, the Lexus smooth ride and the miles-per-gallon. The program ends on July 31, 2009.

Lexus Expands Brand, Adding Another Convertible And Hybrid

As Toyota's luxury brand - Lexus - continues to expand its lineup, they've added another convertible to compliment the SC. However, this time they're going head-to-head with the popular BMW 3-Series convertible, with an all-new 2010 IS C retractable hardtop. Like the Bimmer, the vehicle is available as an automatic or manual transmission and can easily accommodate four occupants. The IS C is available with a 6-cylinder 2.5-liter engine or a 3.5-liter engine.

Pricing for Lexus' newest entry level convertible starts off at around $39,000. While Lexus officials allowed us to take the vehicle on a short test drive, we look forward to an extensive review of the new convertible in the very near future. Just based on first impressions, we believe the pricing and design flair of the IS C should attract younger, affluent buyers to the brand. The vehicle is on sale now. To check out the pricing and features refer to our new-vehicle pricing guide, which is located on the left side of the page.

And Lexus' all-new dedicated luxury hybrid will be added to the lineup later on this fall. Unlike the RX, GS and LS, which all offer hybrid alternatives, too, there isn't a non-hybrid version of the HS 250h. By the way, the lowercase h, after the numbers, designates the vehicle as being a hybrid. For those who are familiar with the Lexus brand, the HS 250h will be positioned between the IS and ES. The all-new HS 250h is loaded with the latest technology and luxury features we've come to expect in a Lexus.

More importantly, this is Lexus' first 4-cylinder vehicle. The luxury hybrid is expected to achieve a combined fuel economy of 35 mph. The HS 250h, which is available in automatic only, has more of a conventional look than the bubble shape Toyota Prius and the all-new Honda Insight, which is also a hybrid and a spin-off of the Prius. However, the interior layout of the vehicle can easily put you in the mind of something from the once popular futuristic cartoon, The Jetsons, with the joy stick designed to control a number of the features on the space-aged styled floating center stack instrument panel. The all-new 2010 HS 250h starts out at around $34,000. Look for our comprehensive review of the HS 250h later on this year.