by Steve Siler

What's Your Pleasure?

Warm and fuzzy on the inside, or tan and toasty on the outside? Lexus launches a pair of vastly different feel-good rides.

After relentlessly pursuing perfection for 20 years, Lexus has become famous for building luxo-chariots that spoil their occupants in all manner of sybaritic delights while insulating them from any outside stress. But for 2010, the first-ever dedicated luxury hybrid, the HS250h, and the decidedly extroverted IS-C convertible show that Lexus can also build cars for folks who would rather not ignore the world around them, but those who also appreciate, engage, and want to help protect it.

2010 Lexus HS250h

On the outside

Unlike Lexus' other hybrids, which are variants of specific models, the HS250h is a bespoke hybrid with its own body and, for better or worse (we think worse), its own styling. While a smattering of glitzy details attempt to dress things up, no amount of surface decoration can overcome the innate dowdiness of HS250h's slab-sided body. The payoff is superb high-speed aerodynamics, certain to spare countless bugs that otherwise might end up smeared on the windshield. Still, the HS250h looks less like a traditional Lexus than a Toyota Corolla that raided grandma's jewelry box, lacking the brazen ugliness that gives hybrids like the Toyota Prius their eco-swagger, but also missing the sort of elegance befitting of a Lexus. Bummer.

On the inside

The HS250h features a roomy interior outfitted comfortably, albeit not lavishly. Go crazy on the options list and you'll end up with semi-aniline leather, Mark Levinson surround sound and, my favorite, a “remote touch” controller for the info-navi-tainment displays. Still, there remains a thinness to this car's sense of luxury, and there is way too much road and wind noise for anything with an “L” on the grille.

Under the skin

Contained within the HS250h's frumpy sheetmetal is too much confounding technology too list, but suffice it to say it works like a Prius, hovering around silently in electric mode in parking lots and putzing along none too quickly (or quietly) when the droney four-cylinder engine is actually engaged. Wanna have fun driving? See the IS-C on the other side of the page. Wanna get 35 mpg all day long in leather-lined luxury? This may be your only choice, unless you want to fork over a bunch more money for a BMW or Benz diesel.

The Verdict

The 2010 HS250h proves that environmental friendliness and luxury accommodations don't have to be mutually exclusive, but its inelegant shape and uninspiring driving experience render it hard to love.

Base Price: $32K (est.)
Engine: 2.4-liter 4-cylinder + electric motor assist (187 hp, n/a lb-ft of torque)
Drive Wheels: front
Fuel economy (city/hwy): 35/34

2010 Lexus IS Convertible

On the outside

Unlike the BMW 3-Series, the Lexus IS isn't offered in either coupe or convertible bodystyles. With the IS-C hardtop convertible, Lexus plugs both holes with one extroverted product. Sadly, the stack of roof panels required a tall, haunchy and rather ungraceful rear decklid, but otherwise the IS looks pretty damn sharp, especially with a set of matte black F-Sport rims and a lowered suspension, both of which you can have installed by the Lexus people themselves.

On the inside

The IS sedan is rather intimate for its class, and that same snugness carries over to the convertible as well. While the rear seat has surprising leg and hip room, the tall bodysides create a bathtub-like seating experience. The front seats are definitely where it's at … that's where the excellent stereo can be best heard (top up or down).

Under the skin

The IS Convertible offers customers a choice of V-6s—one small, one large—with a commensurate amount of power and fuel economy. With only 204 hp, the small 2.5-liter six in the IS250C is leisurely and quiet and easy on the fuel. The big 3.5 in the IS350C is a bit thirstier and a whole lot faster. I like the latter, though neither have the stiffness and precision feel of the BMW 3-Series convertible. But in the L.A. traffic slog, you'll hardly be whining in either.

The Verdict

The IS-C exposes Lexus customers to the elements like no other car in its lineup, while presenting an alternative to BMW and Mercedes-Benz four-seat convertibles. Unfortunately, it is no better than the Germans ... merely different.

Base price range: $39K--$44K
Engine: 2.5-liter V-6 (204 hp, 185 lb-ft of torque); 3.5-liter V-6 (306 hp, 277 lb-ft of torque)
Drive Wheels: rear
Fuel economy (city/hwy): 21/29 (IS250), 18/26 (IS350)