Lexus Announces Suggested Retail Price of the New Hybrid Model

Yesterday, Lexus announced the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price for the new HS 250h hybrid, which will arrive at dealerships in late August. The new model has the best combined EPA mpg rating of any luxury vehicle in the United States, emitting 70% fewer smog-forming emissions than an average new car. It received EPA-estimated ratings of 35 mpg when utilizing regular 87-octane gasoline.

The HS 250h is offered in standard and premium models. The standard version will have a MSRP of $34,200 and the premium model will carry an MSRP of $36,970. The MSRP does not include a delivery, processing and handling fee of $875, but it still comes in about $10,000 less than one of its entry luxury sedan segments competitors.

Standard Features for the Lexus HS 250h:

• Leather-trimmed seats
• 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with eight-way power-adjustable front passenger seat
• 10-speaker, 137-watt audio system with a six-disc CD changer, a subwoofer and center speaker
• Bluetooth® for phone and music streaming capabilities
• Integrated subscription satellite radio (includes 90-day trial)
• USB/ iPod® connectivity operated via steering wheel controls or the display screen
• 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels.
• Standard class-leading 10-airbag Supplemental Restraint system and front active head rests

Premium Features for the Lexus HS 250h also include:

• Heated/ventilated front seats trimmed in semi-aniline leather
• 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels
• Rain-sensing windshield wipers
• Heated electrochromic exterior mirrors
• Genuine wood interior trim
• New memory system that allows individual driver settings for seat, power tilt/telescopic steering wheel, outside mirrors and air conditioning settings to be recalled automatically by individual key fobs

As consumers are more likely to consider hybrids when in the market for a new vehicle, an item that also needs to be decided on is the where to obtain an affordable car insurance quote. Many car insurance providers are offering additional discounts on premiums for people who purchase hybrid cars. When looking for hybrid car insurance quotes, be sure to talk to individual agents about what additional discounts they can offer.

Many agents will offer up to a 10% discount on car insurance premiums for hybrid owners. The reason for this additional discount is due to the way insurers view a hybrid driver. Insurance companies base their rates upon the risk they are taking on by insuring a specific person or vehicle. Hybrids fall into the “preferred insured category,” which includes responsible, mature drivers who are less likely to be in an accident and file insurance claims. Statistically, hybrid owners are married men and women between the ages of 41 and 60, who are financially stable and responsible citizens.

This classification represents low risk for an insurance company, which means lower rates for the insured person. A person with a good driving record that falls into this category is likely to enjoy the cheapest car insurance quotes available. However, to ensure a driver finds the most complete coverage at the lowest possible rate, insurance shoppers should compare car insurance rates and then choose the plan that is right for them.