Hey, folks. Have you ever wanted a highly fuel efficient commuter like a Prius, but can't bring yourself to buy one because you watched that one South Park episode too many times?

"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
10/30/2017 at 10:05 • Filed to: Mondays still suck

“No, actually. I don’t recall saying anything like —” GREAT. Because I have the answer to the question you just asked, and that’s the forgotten Lexus HS 250h.

The two-fiddy-H is on the same platform as most Toyotas you’ve heard of (Prius, tC, Corolla, NX, etc.), but it has some things that separate it from being a rebadged Prius.

- improved suspension components

- the motor is a little more powerful, at 187hp

- 0 to 60 time is two seconds faster

- it’s also heavier... oops

- much softer leather

- better insulated cabin

- Looks like a chrome Corolla. So shiny!

The fuel economy is listed as 34/36 mpg. A perfect vehicle for rotting on I-5 and 405 on a Monday morning.

Owner testimonials are quite positive, though many who test drove one admit they ultimately jumped to a Prius because of the extra 10 miles per gallon. As a result, sales plummeted after two years, ending with just FIVE units moved in 2013. So you’d have yourself a bit of a semi-unicorm. And it was wildly successful in Japan, so you could cash in on that sweet JDM cred (yo).

Anyway. Happy Monday!!!

DISCUSSION (62)

random001 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/30/2017 at 10:11

Is this the same car as the wagony version they put out, just less wagon?

fintail > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/30/2017 at 10:11

That has to be a rare color combo. Nice, if you have no kids or pets.

I recall the Bellevue dealer had a ton of these sitting on the lot for ages, they finally were put into service loaner duty. With dull styling and no doubt similar dynamics, these were a hard sell at 40K+ when given options. But maybe a good used deal, as they will no doubt be durable and reliable.

I always mocked the name, which really rides the hybrid bus. It’s a hybrid HS 250h hybrid, you know, it’s a hybrid.

Party-vi > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/30/2017 at 10:14

A Corolla in a tailored suit is still a Corolla.

Nibby > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/30/2017 at 10:14

My mom had one and my uncle still has his... both were 2010s. TERRIBLE!

They only got 34-35mpg regardless of highway or city driving. The insides are nice and the seats are easily the best part of the car. But the infotainment system is a bit laggy and their iPod integration sucks.

It is a bit faster than the Prius but it still feels underpowered and the handling, well, it will put you to sleep faster than a Corolla will. Oh and they absolutely hate any sorts of turns. Body roll everywhere. Oh and the tires make quite a bit of road noise.

If you’re going to drive one, you might as well kill yourself cause you’re already dead. I did drive my uncle’s recently and I wanted to run it into a brick wall at 80mph.

This is the car I’d recommend to only those I strongly dislike. Too bad I don’t know anyone personally that I dislike that much.

ranwhenparked > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/30/2017 at 10:16

I think it’s kind of hilarious that such a technically sophisticated luxury hybrid is only slightly more efficient than a Mustang or Challenger.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > random001
10/30/2017 at 10:17

From what I gather, the CT 200h is on paper superior to the HS in every way but rear-passenger comfort. Better fuel economy, more practical, “newer.”

random001 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/30/2017 at 10:18

more wagony.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > fintail
10/30/2017 at 10:19

But you can find heavily used ones for around 10k now! And who doesn’t want a newer hybrid vehicle with lots and lots of miles on it?

interstate366, now In The Industry > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/30/2017 at 10:19

The HS in general is a fairly rare sighting around these parts, and I’m squarely in Japanese luxury buying territory.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > ranwhenparked
10/30/2017 at 10:20

They crammed a bunch of fancy stuff in it and it added 500 lbs. They made the motor have a tiny bit more oomph so it could get out of its own way. As a result, you get a modern hybrid that gets worse fuel economy than my old 96 Civic.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Party-vi
10/30/2017 at 10:21

C H R O M E

Ash78, voting early and often > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/30/2017 at 10:23

So it’s white on white, with the only colorful parts relegated to where you put your muddy shoes, or the part that has the sun beating down on it all day long. Might as well call it the Richard Spencer edition. Are the taillights LEDs or tiki torches?

/s tagged for the idiots

//srsly, though, I did not know this car existed. I’ve only seen a few of the CT hatchbacks and thought those were rare

///no, I still can’t even see a Prius without thinking “Thaaaaaanks”

bhtooefr > random001
10/30/2017 at 10:23

This (and the very similar Toyota Sai) is basically what an Avensis Hybrid would be if it existed (Avensis being a Euro-midsize based on the Corolla platform, but with independent rear suspension - the other Avensis relative that we got in the US being the Scion tC), using the original 2.4 liter Camry Hybrid powertrain.

The CT 200h is just a nicer Auris Hybrid, the Auris being a Euro-compact with independent rear suspension, that replaced the European market Corolla (and we actually get it here in non-hybrid form as the Corolla iM). Same platform, but Gen 3 Prius powertrain and smaller.

Party-vi > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/30/2017 at 10:29

Is this a Harley?

Yes - it should have chrome

No - it should not have chrome

Chariotoflove > Nibby
10/30/2017 at 10:32

So then, rally car?

Nibby > Chariotoflove
10/30/2017 at 10:36

just burn them all into oblivion

My citroen won't start > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/30/2017 at 10:39

Kinja'd!!!

fintail > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/30/2017 at 10:40

What could go wrong? Lexus = perfection, right?

victor > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/30/2017 at 10:43

My mom’s es300h much better, super buicky and ready for the nursing home

Kinja'd!!!

Beiiiiiiiiige.

Kinja'd!!!

promoted by the color red > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/30/2017 at 10:44

Or you could get a Lexus CT because you have eyes.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/30/2017 at 10:46

Or, if you don’t mind giving up the extra power but want a better interior, better fuel economy and more cargo room:

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/newest-addition-to-the-sm70-family-garage-1790502593

RT > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/30/2017 at 10:46

You can still get them in Japan, meet the Toyota Sai.

Kinja'd!!!

I’m digging the pre-facelift Modellista version though.

Kinja'd!!!

Textured Soy Protein > random001
10/30/2017 at 10:48

The CT200h also has the less powerful, more efficient motor from the Prius.

Both the HS250h and CT200h have a double wishbone rear suspension instead of the twist beam on the Prius.

random001 > Textured Soy Protein
10/30/2017 at 10:52

Is that a double wishbone suspension in the way that it wishes it was a real suspension, but it’s on a knock-off prius, so it’s not really?

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/30/2017 at 10:54

No, thisis the answer

Kinja'd!!!

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/30/2017 at 11:07

If I went hybrid I think I’d prefer ones based on actual cars, rather than the ones that have their own unique model. So more like a Fusion Hybrid or what have you.

On the other hand I have to admit, I have considered the Volt. Briefly.

HammerheadFistpunch > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/30/2017 at 11:10

It’s a poor mans LS600h. For better or worse.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
10/30/2017 at 11:14

Too practical!

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > HammerheadFistpunch
10/30/2017 at 11:15

In that they both sit on dealer lots for months on end?

Nibbles > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
10/30/2017 at 11:27

I like that thing

Nibbles > Party-vi
10/30/2017 at 11:27

But mah truck

HammerheadFistpunch > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/30/2017 at 11:28

Kinja'd!!!

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Nibbles
10/30/2017 at 11:32

I like that you’d never guess it’s basically a Prius. Or even a boring car. I looks like a sweet turbo hatchback. But it’s not and that’s kinda of okay I guess. If I had a better paying job and a much longer commute I’d consider buying one. Probably not an F Sport like this one tho.

Thankfully I have a 2 mile round trip commute so my 20mpg on premium isn’t so bad.

P5guy now GTIguy > ranwhenparked
10/30/2017 at 11:34

I think you need to take the vehicle in the right context. It uses a completely different Powertrain than the Prius. It actually is the same as the 2007-2009 Camry Hybrid a 2.4L plus all the hybrid stuff. If you compare to other vehicles of that era it’s efficient. Now, not so much but that’s a good testament to how efficient vehicles have become in just 10 years. A new Camry Hybrid is only about 2-3 mpg off a prius at this point and has a bit more than 200hp compared to the 130 ish the Prius has.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > ranwhenparked
10/30/2017 at 11:42

Just about any car if you throw it on the highway and drive 70, you expect it to be able to get 30ish mpg now adays, but hybrids are impressive because you can sit in awful stop and go, stoplight to stoplight traffic, where my Vw with a 2.0T might get 20mpg driving around town like that, a hybrid is still getting 35-40. I’m guessing those challenger and mustangs would be similar to my experience with the VW.

PotbellyJoe and 42 others > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/30/2017 at 11:47

When these first came out everyone, correctly, likened them to Corollas. Lexus/Toyota jumped in super quickly to dispel that. “No, No, No, these are based on the Euro/JDM market XXX” which was also a “New MC” Platform car. so, yeah they were totally wider Corollas with 3" more in the wheelbase and batteries.

Platform-wise the basis for the car was actually most similar in the US market to the Scion tC.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > fintail
10/30/2017 at 11:55

My parents have a 2006 RX400h AWD with 360,000 miles on the original battery. Therefore, Lexus = perfection.

fintail > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars
10/30/2017 at 12:17

Sample of one owned by a proprietor of a shop, yep :)

shop-teacher > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/30/2017 at 12:20

I had no idea these existed. I probably have seen them, but they’re too boring to notice.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > fintail
10/30/2017 at 12:23

Haha well we bought it just 20,000 miles ago and it is used by customers as a loaner vehicle pretty much every day. On the other hand there is a 2008 GS450h getting a $9500 in work. Customer loves it so much he gave us a blank check it get it working again.

Party-vi > Nibbles
10/30/2017 at 12:59

See above you swine.

Nibbles > Party-vi
10/30/2017 at 13:05

Muh Cadillac

Chariotoflove > Nibby
10/30/2017 at 13:06

Kinja'd!!!

Party-vi > Nibbles
10/30/2017 at 13:17

Pre-1990 or post-1990?

Nibbles > Party-vi
10/30/2017 at 13:25

Post. 1994.

Party-vi > Nibbles
10/30/2017 at 13:43

DENIED unless it’s an ETC

Nibbles > Party-vi
10/30/2017 at 13:48

Oh but it is an etcetera

RT > Party-vi
10/30/2017 at 14:04

Kinja'd!!!

How about this C6, does the chrome look good on it?

Party-vi > Nibbles
10/30/2017 at 14:07

Chrome-on, brother.

Party-vi > RT
10/30/2017 at 14:07

Nickel would look better.

Your boy, BJR > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/30/2017 at 14:31

(H)armonious (S)edan!

Nibby > Chariotoflove
10/30/2017 at 14:51

Kinja'd!!!

fintail > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars
10/30/2017 at 16:00

Did the battery die on the GS?

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > fintail
10/30/2017 at 17:24

Water pumped leaked, owner didn’t notice and eventually it cooked the engine. Not even a hybrid or car fault.

SpeedSix > Nibby
10/30/2017 at 20:05

Many hybrids are rated for similar mpgs in city and highway driving - the hybrid system provides the most benefit in stop-and-go driving (no gas at low speeds), and much less benefit at highway speeds.

SpeedSix > ranwhenparked
10/30/2017 at 20:06

fintail > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars
10/30/2017 at 21:14

Must be a labor of love from a neglectful person. I wonder if they drove for 100 miles with the needle pegged and red light on before they noticed.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > fintail
10/30/2017 at 21:36

No idea but my dad doesn’t mind doing the work haha. We also have a 2014 or so GS350 F-Sport flood car that has been abandoned and their going to file a lean on. I say race car.

fintail > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars
10/30/2017 at 23:29

Might as well, going to be a hard sell as flood salvage. Or a nice frankencar, put the engine in a 70s Corolla.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > fintail
10/31/2017 at 08:37

Engine got the fun hydrolock. Basically a rash of GS owners not helping their cars out.

fintail > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars
10/31/2017 at 09:18

But it’s a Lexus, it’s perfection, I don’t need to maintain it or look out for it!

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > fintail
10/31/2017 at 09:30

Kinja'd!!!

I think the submarine GS F Sport looks like this. I want a street race car. If kinjad, 2014 GS F Sport