Lexus HS250h sales disappoint ... because high end Prius is NICE! and gets 50mpg?

So true!! That is Why I modified my Prius to a Lexus!:rockon: I like it way better than the inefecient HS250h....

 

I suppose you could make the same argument for the RX-400h / 450h ... that you can get the same junk in the HiHY ... yet sales of the RX are not that much off the HYhi

31,485 for the Lexus RX 400h, and 20,161 for the HYhi for the same sales period. It's really all about the cost diffirence, it would seem.

 

I did not expect the hs250h to sell to many, and Lexus does not need to move many to make money. The CT200h on the other hand will sell plenty.

 

I don't think too many people are interested in something that looks like a $35K Corolla. Sorry Toyota, possibly if you would have styled the car differently - think the new Hyundai Sonata Hybrid - or offered mileage >40mpg maybe buyers might have been interested.

 

In my opinion it is because it is just plain ugly!

 

I test drove the 250 HS, and thought it was very luxurious inside, good rear view camera, sunroof, EV only option, etc. It just did not get 50MPG.

 

Personally I think the Prius V is a much more attractive vehicle. The HS is nicer inside, but it really does look like a Corolla...I wouldn't spend $10,000 more for the HS.

Thats really...sad.

 

I agree with SW03ES, I just like the Prius V better. I could have picked either car and the MPG was a decent factor, as were the tech options in the Prius.

That said, I do think it's funny that a lot of people in this thread pick on the HS for looks, considering what the 2004-2007 Prius looked like (and yes, I have one of those, too).

 

As a general rule Lexus buyers are in an older more experienced and knowledgeable age group, "brighter bulbs" and therefore shy away from buying patently UNSAFE FWD vehicles, hybrid or no.

Think about Cadillac dropping FWD entirely and now in "recovery".

 

This I definately agree with, the HS is better looking than the Gen II Prius...

Who says Cadillac has dropped FWD entirely? The new SRX is FWD...the previous one was RWD. The Deville is still FWD...the CTS was always RWD...so they took the STS and made it RWD.

Then why do the FWD ES and RX make up over half of all Lexus sales?

 

One nice feature (that the Prius doesn't have) is the double wishbone rear suspension. I wonder how much of a cost adder it is? Of course, the one major knock against the Prius is it's mediocre handling which one would think the double wishbone rear suspension would go a long ways towards curing - assuming that the standard Prius hybrid components (battery pack) could fit around the double wishbone rear suspension components. I wouldn't think too many Prius buyers are cross shopping HS250h's - so I wonder what's stopping Toyota upgrading the Prius suspension? Does the double wishbone weight A LOT more (i.e,hurts mileage) or cost much more than the current suspension?

 

Having an independent rear suspension would be nice I agree, but when I drove the HS it drove an awful lot like my Prius to me...independent rear or not.

 

I had an HS 250h for a one week test drive and I felt that it handled significantly better than my 06 non-touring Prius.

If in a fantasy world, someone said they'd be willing to trade my Prius for an HS w/the equipment level the my loaner had, I'd likely say yes, despite the fuel economy hit and loss of cargo capacity/flexibility. The luxury, power and some of the cool features along w/the newer nav system were great! :thumb:

 

That is so totally off the wall that it might be amusing if some dope weren't likely to read it and not discern that you were being sarcastic.

You are, aren't you?

 

No, he wasn't.

 

Be sure and read it once again after you're 60+

 

how can that be called a luxury hybrid when you already have the RX450h or the GS450h or the mighty LS Hybrid...Now those are luxury'ish...That thing just looks like the Honda Civic ima....YUK...

 

Its pretty luxurious though, the interior is very nice.