Official Lexus HS 250h Pricing Announced

Lexus is aiming for the HS 250h to sell 25,000 units a year, and to hopefully capture new buyers for a few different reasons. For instance some might stretch from a loaded mid-size sedan or Prius to a fuel-efficient small car with a Lexus badge - or so the thinking goes.

Also, with the HS 250h achieving lower mileage ratings than the Prius, the desire is that the car be compared to others in it's class rather than other hybrids.

So the official numbers are out, and the HS 250h's standard base price has been announced at $34,200 plus a $875 destination charge. So figure about $35K for anyone looking to get into one. For that price the HS 250h includes a lot of standard equipment. The list includes leather-trimmed and powered front seats, a 10-speaker audio system, satellite radio and 17-inch aluminum alloys as well as safety equipment like 10 airbags and active front headrests.

The price can get high fast though - a $1,600 Touring package can be added that includes LED headlamps, heated front seats and 18-inch wheels. Stepping up from the base model is Premium, which costs $36,970 before destination. Premium is not available with the Touring package and adds rain-sensing windshield wipers, heated/ventilated seats, 18-inch wheels, heated mirrors, wood trim (should be standard) and a key fob-based memory system that enables individual driver settings.

Other packages available include Technology, which adds luxury-car features like a heads-up display, lane-departure warning system, radar cruise control and park assist. The Technology package is only available for Premium models equipped with navigation. Pricing hasn't been released for the higher end packages, but I would expect a fully-loaded HS 250h to run in the low-to-mid $40ks. Ouch!