Lexus is no stranger to hybrids, as the company for years has offered hybrid versions of its LS and GS sedans and its RX crossover. All of those hybrids shared a similar philosophy: They prize performance first, often out-accelerating their non-hybrid counterparts, and put fuel economy second -- although they usually have managed to provide better-than-average mpg numbers as well. Each one was a great Lexus -- plush, quiet, powerful -- but as a hybrid, none was the dramatic green statement that the Toyota Prius is.

In contrast to the other Lexus hybrids, the new HS250h attempts to be just that kind of green statement. First of all, it's only available as a hybrid, so that should help cement its identity in the public's mind. Unfortunately, the design doesn't really stand out the way the Prius's does. It's a rather ordinary-looking compact sedan with vague Corolla overtones and a big chrome grille. But the car has no connection to the Corolla -- it's related to the Toyota Avensis, which is sold in Europe -- and although it's fairly narrow, its length falls between the Lexus IS and the ES....continued