Lexus HS 250h...revealed Jan. 11
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wow the pictures of the avensis really shorten the distance between that model an the HS. they have so many similar styling cues: headlights, tailights, rear trunk lid, side profile, grill, and rear bumper reflecters
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Just bumping this over from the last page in case 1SICKLEX misses it. ![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Actually, it's more the case of the American consumer "not getting it" (the idea behind such a car). And why should they? Gas is still relatively "cheap", there's no shortage of parking spaces and Americans still think "big is better". Plus, is there really a demand for such small cars in the US? Hardly. The BMW 135i that is sold in the US is obviously not marketed as an economy car nor is it aimed at your traditional older BMW buyer in the US. That car appeals to the younger generation. It's a good-looking sporty machine that comes from a prestigeous company and radiates a lot of "machoness" from it, too. This is the car that a young car enthusiast looking for fun will aspire to own, not an older buyer who would probably go for a 5 series or 7 series and baby it.
My wife, her old folks, they drive a Mercedes B class (gasoline). Now I am not sure what exact model it is but I do know that it is small on the outside, yet vast on the inside. I felt more cramped inside my sisters IS250 or a GS than I did in that thing. Obviously Mercedes did a great job of utilizing interior space to the fullest. The car is very versatile and practical, good on gas (has to be) and even has a very nice interior. I was very impressed with the car the few times I've ridden in it. It's also quiet and very comfortable. It feels like a Mercedes.
I am sure a BMW 1 series feels like a BMW and drives like a BMW too. European consumers obviously expect this. The American consumer won't even think that far. They see a BMW 1 series or an A class from Mercedes and this immediately goes against "What a BMW/Mercedes should be." It's literally that simple.
Furthermore, the 1 series and A- or B class are generally popular with a wide variety of consumers ranging from young to old. Now, I have no official figures or statistics, but I am willing to wager that the vast majority of buyers of these cars in Europe are older people. People who don't need a 3 series or an A4 or a C class or an IS. For such people, these offerings from the big German three are just perfect. A small, versatile premium car that's safe, well-built, comes with variety of engine options and trim levels. What's there not to like?
I am not sure if the HS250h even competes with the 1 series etc. It basically still looks like an IS so your typical Lexus buyer won't think negative of it. And if we're honest, the type of people buying an HS250h are probably going to be the very quiet crowd. The folks that don't race at stoplights or don't say much. They'll go for the car because they think they're doing mother nature a favor and it'll make them feel good in their little world.![Thumb Up](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
By the way, that BMW 1 series you posted was obviously a cheaper trim model. Cheaper trims are essential in Europe. Everyone offers them except Rolls Royce, Bentley, Maybach, Aston Martin, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Porsche and Lexus.
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Actually, it's more the case of the American consumer "not getting it" (the idea behind such a car). And why should they? Gas is still relatively "cheap", there's no shortage of parking spaces and Americans still think "big is better". Plus, is there really a demand for such small cars in the US? Hardly. The BMW 135i that is sold in the US is obviously not marketed as an economy car nor is it aimed at your traditional older BMW buyer in the US. That car appeals to the younger generation. It's a good-looking sporty machine that comes from a prestigeous company and radiates a lot of "machoness" from it, too. This is the car that a young car enthusiast looking for fun will aspire to own, not an older buyer who would probably go for a 5 series or 7 series and baby it.
My wife, her old folks, they drive a Mercedes B class (gasoline). Now I am not sure what exact model it is but I do know that it is small on the outside, yet vast on the inside. I felt more cramped inside my sisters IS250 or a GS than I did in that thing. Obviously Mercedes did a great job of utilizing interior space to the fullest. The car is very versatile and practical, good on gas (has to be) and even has a very nice interior. I was very impressed with the car the few times I've ridden in it. It's also quiet and very comfortable. It feels like a Mercedes.
I am sure a BMW 1 series feels like a BMW and drives like a BMW too. European consumers obviously expect this. The American consumer won't even think that far. They see a BMW 1 series or an A class from Mercedes and this immediately goes against "What a BMW/Mercedes should be." It's literally that simple.
Furthermore, the 1 series and A- or B class are generally popular with a wide variety of consumers ranging from young to old. Now, I have no official figures or statistics, but I am willing to wager that the vast majority of buyers of these cars in Europe are older people. People who don't need a 3 series or an A4 or a C class or an IS. For such people, these offerings from the big German three are just perfect. A small, versatile premium car that's safe, well-built, comes with variety of engine options and trim levels. What's there not to like?
I am not sure if the HS250h even competes with the 1 series etc. It basically still looks like an IS so your typical Lexus buyer won't think negative of it. And if we're honest, the type of people buying an HS250h are probably going to be the very quiet crowd. The folks that don't race at stoplights or don't say much. They'll go for the car because they think they're doing mother nature a favor and it'll make them feel good in their little world.
![Thumb Up](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
By the way, that BMW 1 series you posted was obviously a cheaper trim model. Cheaper trims are essential in Europe. Everyone offers them except Rolls Royce, Bentley, Maybach, Aston Martin, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Porsche and Lexus.
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Also, I don't care what generation hybrid drive the HS gets - it's the same technology evolved with marginal improvements in fuel efficiency. While there's no need to argue that it's a good system, it's not revolutionary.
The more I read and more I see I think the HS250h is based on the Prius and heavy influenced by the new Avensis. Now take a guess how much is an Avensis going for in Europe...
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This is why I'm wondering why people are saying it's a fancy Corolla. Huh?
The HS/Avensis is much larger and much more expensive. It's at least the size of a Camry, if not bigger and the Avensis itself is a higher model than the Camry.
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and i think the avensis side and rear look better.
because it has the shape of a corolla. and tacky body kit like a corolla
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Another reason why I feel this model is not up to Lexus standards or the reason I dont get it is that it seems the Prius will have more advanced battery technology. Why?...leaves me scratching my head even more.
Theres really not much else I can say about this car that I havent and others have already said. Bottom like, its utter crap for Lexus to produce this when they know it could have been tons better.
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Hmmm......
This one looks interesting. It looks like a Honda Civic, Ford Focus, and Toyota Corolla combined. I can almost picture each aspect of the 3 cars in this one. Just seems to be interesting and new?!
![Uhh...](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/1387914497.gif)
![Uhh...](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/1387914497.gif)
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I was just checking out the Toyota Avensis in detail because I wanted to see what the interior looks like. Not bad. Even better-looking than the HS250h's!
![](http://img2.netcarshow.com/Toyota-Avensis_2009_1024x768_wallpaper_1a.jpg)
Cleaner, less busy, more symmetrical and just more pleasing to the eye overall.
![](http://img2.netcarshow.com/Toyota-Avensis_2009_1024x768_wallpaper_1a.jpg)
Cleaner, less busy, more symmetrical and just more pleasing to the eye overall.
#298
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But let's keep in mind here, just because you and I don't "get" this car doesn't mean that the general buying public won't get it. Let's not forget that we, the enthusiasts, are part of a very small percentage of the overall buying public so we really shouldn't get ahead ourselves here by declaring the HS a failure before seeing what it really can do.
Not many people gave a **** about the Prius 10 years ago but look at it now. When (and it will) the gas goes back up to $4/gallon you can bet your *** that people will head into the showroom and ****** one of them hybrids at first chance.
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I'm going to have to disagree. Neither Acura nor Infinity have a badge-engineered vehicle that rides on a $13k vehicle's chassis sold in their US lineups. And it's true that Acura now has vehicles in their line-up that cost $40k that I wouldn't buy for $13k.
I'm not hating this car because it's small and efficient, I'm hating it because it's a lightly frosted Corolla with a lightly frosted Toyota commodity hybrid drive system. They should have taken the time and really innovated in drive system technology before releasing a car this ugly. Or they should have made it less ugly and kept the regular Toyota hybrid drive system. Or they could have done both and really set an entirely new standard.
What we got is weak all-around.
M.
I'm not hating this car because it's small and efficient, I'm hating it because it's a lightly frosted Corolla with a lightly frosted Toyota commodity hybrid drive system. They should have taken the time and really innovated in drive system technology before releasing a car this ugly. Or they should have made it less ugly and kept the regular Toyota hybrid drive system. Or they could have done both and really set an entirely new standard.
What we got is weak all-around.
M.
So if anyone has the car based literally on the 13k car its Acura (of course).
Dude it may "Look" like a Corolla but it shares pretty much NOTHING with it. Its Prius/Avensis based. It has a Camry engine and a rear Independent Suspension.
Again, we might not like the looks of the car but the technology inside and out shames flaghsips of the other two brands and it is one of the most advanced cars period.
Could the wrapper be better? Maybe. Its hard to change a sedan from a hatch.
Also the BATTERIES are UNDER the car, not in the trunk. This makes for a higher profile and taller car.