These Are The Worst Cars From Great Automakers

“The Lexus HS 250h. Introduced in 2010 and sold between MY2010 and 2012 in the US, it was Lexus’ first dedicated hybrid model, riding on the technological success of the RX 400h and LS 600h L. Displaying an updated version of the L-finesse design language first deployed circa 2006, the HS promised to bring increased levels of refinement and technology to the Lexus brand. The HS was something of a tweener, sitting between the compact (and longitude-RWD) IS and transverse-FWD ES in size. Still, it was related to neither. It was on the same New MC platform as the Toyota Corolla, Prius, etc, but was specifically a reskinned version of the Euro-market Toyota Avensis. But…the HS used the larger Camry Hybrid’s 2.4-liter HSD system.

“Problem was, the interior dimensions were awkward and didn’t result in greater space than what you’d get on a typical compact sedan, and the fuel economy (at 35/35/34 mpg city/highway/combined) was nowhere close to that of the Prius, which is what people expected (larger hybrid system notwithstanding). And the styling was just goofy. Finally, the HS (along with the redesigned third-gen RX) had the dubious honor of ushering in Lexus’ much-maligned mouse interface.

“Of course, Lexus rectified this with the handsome, new-for-2013 ES 300h. The ES in general was newly enlarged for 2013, using the Avalon’s full-size wheelbase instead of the Camry’s midsize one, like prior ES generations did. There was little compromise on the ES 300h, versus the regular ES 350. The hybrid certainly didn’t look any worse. Finally, the ES 300h got a new 2.5-liter hybrid system that upped things to 40/40/39 mpg city/highway/combined, plus almost 700 miles of maximum range between fill-ups, which were great for a large sedan.

“And so the HS remains an awkward footnote in Lexus history. It was also probably the brand’s first flop. That said, they did continue to sell it until 2017 or 2018 in other markets, before…replacing it with the ES 300h.

“With the HS’ tall, narrow stance and abbreviated wheelbase, I always thought it looked like someone took a better-looking car and squeezed it together at both ends.”