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Comparing 2010 Prius to 2010 Lexus 250h

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by wvgasguy, Jun 29, 2009.

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  1. wvgasguy

    wvgasguy New Member

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    I had considered waiting on seeing the Lexus to make my decision. I finally decided since this will be my daily driver and a third car for the fleet that it didn't make sence for me to worry about paying for Lexus "luxury" and "status". Motor Trend has an article on the Lexus in my mail today. They call it Prius technology, but it appears to have the TCH engine and milage estimates but perhaps with the newer Prius technology applied. Nice looking "conventional" looking car. But with the NAV system they are estimating a cost of about $40,000. That's about $10K more than the Prius V w/ NAV. Add a sporty suspension and larger (18") wheels and I'm guessing it will add another $2K+/-

    Glad I didn't wait. I may have one some day but for $10K in my pocket and 15 mpg better FE I'm thinking the Prius looks good. However I'll bet Lexus has no problems selling 24,000 of these. If they do have problems and discount them later then maybe one will find its way into my garage.
     
    #1 wvgasguy, Jun 29, 2009
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    It's not a bad move for those who want a Lexus but don't want to drive a Camry Hybrid and want to stay in the Lexus brand. So far, the cheapest (and most fuel efficient) Lexus hybrid has been the RXh and it's been proven very popular. (The regular RX is the best selling Lexus after all). I can see someone like my dad going for it but if I had the money, I think I'll still stick with the Prius. You get 80% of the features and much better mpg for less money (it's also cheaper to insure and maintain than the Lexus).
     
    #2 Tideland Prius, Jun 29, 2009
  3. Rybold

    Rybold globally warmed member

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    Just got Motor Trend. I'm reading the article on the 250h right now. I have to say the photos look very nice. I think the reason this car is very good for society is because there is a certain percentage of society that want to have luxury and being "cool" but yet want to help save fuel and the environment at the same time. (I am extremely disappointed that BMW and Mercedes have not introduced hybrid versions of the 3-series and C-class for society. Based on the commentary in Motor Trend, it sounds like they have no serious plans for hybrids. First Toyota takes the market from GM .. who's next? BMW and Mercedes? Obama has approved a mandated 35.5mpg by 2016. If they are to offset the terrible mpg of the 7-series, 5-series, S-class, E-class, etc, the 3-series and C-class are going to have to get well over 40mpg.) So far, there haven't really been many options for this. I'm glad to see Lexus introducing this vehicle and being prepared for the future.
    In response to the RXh SUV, there are three people on my neighborhood that have them and every time they drive down our street and stop at the stop sign, I hear the whirr of the electric generator. Music to my ears. :)
     
    #3 Rybold, Jun 29, 2009
  4. web1b

    web1b Active Member

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    It has a few key features that you really shouldn't need to upgrade to a Lexus to get (like automatic headlights -a Corolla feature), but it's the only way to get auto headlights and power drivers seat.
     
    #4 web1b, Jun 29, 2009
  5. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I know but you can get a Camry Hybrid with those features (even power passenger seat!). For us, we do get automatic headlights so you can always buy from Canada if you so wish. We also get the SR with the AT lol.
     
    #5 Tideland Prius, Jun 29, 2009
  6. wvgasguy

    wvgasguy New Member

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    I got an email for Lexus talking about the 250h. It implied that the 250h could go 20 miles on EV. I'm guessing they missed that by one decimal.


    It said:

    [email protected]

    "And if you want (or need) to use no gas at all, under certain conditions the EV mode [2] lets you glide along in near silence for up to 20 miles."

    That condition must be on a specific section of road coming out of the mountains that is all downhill.
     
    #6 wvgasguy, Jul 5, 2009
  7. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Might want to let them know about that or double check with Prius Team (and see if they have contacts on the Lexus side)
     
    #7 Tideland Prius, Jul 5, 2009
  8. mainliner

    mainliner New Member

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    I could not see the e-mail, but can guarantee you it will not go 20 miles on EV mode.

    In a perfect world with the battery fully charged and the vehicle transmission warm, you might be able to go 2 miles in EV mode.
     
    #8 mainliner, Jul 5, 2009
  9. wvgasguy

    wvgasguy New Member

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    That's what I figured. I didn't know if the link would work, but I simply copied what was in the quotes from thier newsletter.
     
    #9 wvgasguy, Jul 5, 2009
  10. mainliner

    mainliner New Member

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    Sorry I was not clear, I could not see the full e-mail from the Lexus Customer Satisfaction rep.
     
    #10 mainliner, Jul 5, 2009
  11. royrose

    royrose Senior Member

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    Now that the HS pricing is out, I am even more annoyed with Toyota marketing. They assume that people who want, and will pay for, Lexus level of amenities expect a larger, heavier, more powerful car even if fuel efficiency suffers a lot. I would like a Lexus based on the Prius, with power seats, seat memory, better leather, better audio, etc.

    Also, to rekindle a frustration with Prius packages, the nav (& backup camera) in the Lexus is a separate item, not bundled with any other options. That leaves the Prius as the only car that I know of that forces nav to get a sunroof.

    I was surprised that the press release does not mention a sunroof at all. Photos show a conventional one, not a panorama or solar one. I wonder if that means they all come with one.
     
    #11 royrose, Jul 25, 2009
  12. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    I'm a Lexus owner/fan, but I think the 250h looks like any Toyota whereas the Prius has a distinctive look.
     
    #12 32kcolors, Jul 25, 2009
  13. pulse

    pulse New Member

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    It will be interesting to see the 250h in person, but I'll bet Toyota is thrilled that people are not cross shopping the Prius and the 250h.

    The Lexus has to be heavier to get the larger valvetronic engine, beefier components, and all the accessories that have to come with the Lexus. I'm glad to see they didn't keep trying to do a "performance" hybrid. I see the 250h as a good alternative for someone considering a base Acura TSX or BMW 318. I'm can't wait to see what max FE from hypermiling the Lexus would be...
     
    #13 pulse, Jul 25, 2009
  14. wvgasguy

    wvgasguy New Member

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    Since this should be a smaller car than the TCH, I would think it would do better slightly on FE. The EPA has it rated conservatively like the TCH but I could easily average 38 in mine so I would think with some of the newer technology this is a 40 mpg car for 80% of the buyers

    The ONLY thing I'm really missing right now by driving the Prius is the power seats. That wouldn't be a problem if it was just me driving but my wife drives it and we have completely different seating settings. The "pump" rather than clicks makes it difficult to get back to the same exact setting.
     
    #14 wvgasguy, Jul 25, 2009
  15. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I can assure you 35mpg is better than any Lexus (even the RXh) and is, by Lexus standards, fantastic. That's Corolla mileage from an entry-luxury car (doesn't help that it kinda looks like a Corolla). It won't have the solar roof, it'll be unique to the Prius.

    If it doesn't require premium fuel. that's even a bigger blessing (cause it makes the difference larger comparing a V6 using premium fuel with a hybrid sipping on regular)
     
    #15 Tideland Prius, Jul 26, 2009
  16. 1SMUGLEX

    1SMUGLEX I love the smug!

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    Yeah the highest MPG of any Lexus is the 450h at 30 MPG with FWD (29 AWD) and it starts where the HS will end fully loaded in regards to price. After that the IS 250 gets 25 MPG average and from there its the GS 450h at 25 MPG and the ES/GS/IS 350 at 24 MPG.
    There is no luxury car here close to the HS in regards to the city rating. The 335d get great mileage highway 36 MPG but 23 city (27 overall) but costs a whooping 55k 20 grand more than the HS!

    Sales goals are 24k a year, pretty modest. They sold more LS's back in 2007!
     
    #16 1SMUGLEX, Jul 26, 2009
  17. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Of course diesel fanatics will say it's more fun to drive and faster to 60mph and it's a BMW ($20 grand.... plus options).

    Ahh well.. I do like the 335d... but it'll be a hard sell because rumour has it that MB Canada is bringing a 4 cylinder diesel for the C-Class and GLK-Class within 2 years.
     
    #17 Tideland Prius, Jul 26, 2009
  18. mainliner

    mainliner New Member

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    The HS 250h received EPA-estimated ratings of 35 mpg city and 34 mpg on the highway for a combined 35 mpg utilizing regular 87-octane gasoline .
     
    #18 mainliner, Jul 27, 2009
  19. nineinchnail1024

    nineinchnail1024 New Member

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    If the HS250h came with the same hybrid powertrain as the prius (1.8 liter instead of 2.5), then I'd have waited.
     
    #19 nineinchnail1024, Jul 27, 2009
  20. theowl

    theowl Prius Convert

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    I'm trying to wait to reserve judgment on the HS250h until I meet one in person. However, with the lower fuel economy you get with the Lexus, I think I would have chosen the Prius even if I had liked the styling and look of the HS250h as much....
     
    #20 theowl, Jul 27, 2009
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