2011 Lexus HS vs. Its Competition

Bengt Halvorson Senior Editor

The 2011 Lexus HS 250h has a very limited appeal; it's a good fit for those who need an extremely well equipped luxury sedan that also has high fuel economy, though if roominess, performance, or absolute refinement are priorities, there are other better alternatives.

The Prius isn’t a direct rival, according to Lexus, but many shoppers will undoubtedly cross-shop them.

Compared to the HS, the Prius has more usable interior space and much more versatile cargo capability, thanks to the fold-down backseats, and it goes much farther on a gallon.

At the same time, the HS has a better ride, slightly more enthusiastic handling, and many more tech features and options.

The HS250h costs less than the BMW 335d, a luxurious and strong-performing sedan with a clean-diesel powertrain—and better highway mileage than the HS.

The VW Jetta TDI is, for size and real-world fuel economy, one of the HS’s chief rivals, though the Jetta can’t be equipped nearly as well as the luxurious HS.

The Camry Hybrid is larger, roomier, and faster—because it’s somehow lighter than the portly HS—and nearly as fuel-efficient, so families who aren’t set on a Lexus should take a look.

In any of these cases, the Lexus dealership experience is a big part of the HS’s appeal; for that, it’s tough to beat.

But there is another better alternative at Lexus dealerships: The CT200h hatchback feels roomier and sportier than the HS while also returning better mileage.