2010 Lexus HS250 Hybrid vs. 2010 BMW 335 Diesel 390-Mile Fuel Economy Comparison Test Drive

• Lexus
• BMW
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• diesel
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• new cars

Both BMW and Lexus have launched new cars this year that offer two very different approaches to delivering luxury and fuel economy. BMW has brought its potent 335d to the states, packing a mammoth 425 lb.-ft. of torque. The BMW is rated to return 23-mpg city and 36 mpg on the highway. Lexus has built its first dedicated hybrid, the HS250h—a car that offers only modest accelerative performance by comparison, but delivers 35-mpg city and 34 on the highway in a much less expensive package, with about the same level of tech as the BMW. Let's see how they stack up in a fuel economy face-off.

The Specs

The HS250h may be a new Lexus hybrid, but it shares a powertrain with the Toyota Camry hybrid. The Atkinson-cycle 2.4-liter four-cylinder is linked to a 40 hp electric motor and CVT transmission. The hybrid system generates 187 total system horsepower and Lexus says that's good enough for a 0-60 mph time of 8.4 seconds. Like most hybrids, the Lexus has an Eco mode and a pure EV mode that allows the car to be driven under electric power for short distances. The BMW 335d in comparison uses a twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder with 265 hp and 425 lb.-ft. of torque that peaks way down at 1750 rpm. It's paired to a six-speed automatic and will produce 0-60 mph sprints in less than 6 seconds.

The BMW 3 series is perhaps the sports sedan benchmark. And our $50,895 335d test car was equipped with the $2,150 Sport Package that includes 18-inch summer tires and an even more aggressive suspension than the standard car. The rear-drive chassis is tuned to balance handling with a supple ride with MacPherson struts upfront and a multilink design in the rear. Lexus's HS250h is based on a front-wheel drive chassis that shares components with the European Toyota Avensis sedan. Our 3740 pound Lexus came with the $1600 Tuning Package that includes sportier 18-inch tires and a firmer suspension as well as the $2125 Navigation Package bringing the sticker up to $38,800—or $12,095 less than the BMW.

Inside, the 3835-pound BMW was trimmed with beige leather and dark burl walnut wood. And our test car had plenty of technology, including adaptive light control, dynamic cruise control, an iPod adapter and satellite radio. But strangely—for a $50,000 car—the 335d did not have a navigation system. Our Lexus wore a darker leather two-tone interior (part of the sport package) and absolutely no wood. But it did have heated seats and Lexus' wonderfully easy-to-use Remote Touch haptic controller behind its intuitively brilliant navigation system.

	BMW 335d	Lexus HS250h
As-tested price	$50,895	$38,800
Powertrain	265 hp/425 lb.-ft., 3.0-liter I6.6A	187 hp,2.4-liter I4, electric motor, CVT
Suspension (f/r)	strut/multilink	strut/double wishbone
Wheelbase (in.)	108.7	106.3
Length (in.)	178.8	184.8
Width (in.)	71.5	70.3
Curb weight (lbs.)	3825	3682
Brakes (f/r)	13.7-in disc/13.2 in. disc, ABS, ESC	10.8-in disc/11.1-in. disc, ABS, ESC
Tires (f,r)	P225/40R18, P255/35R18	P225/45R18
Acceleration (sec.)
0-60 (est.)	5.9	8.4
Fuel Economy (mpg)
EPA fuel economy (city/highway)	23/36	35/34
PM fuel economy (overall)	33.6	34.7

2010 Lexus HS250h vs. 2010 BMW 335d Photo Gallery
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