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2010 Lexus “Prius based Hybrid”

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For the 1st time, Lexus will get its own version of the all new Prius.
Design and interior will be different from the Toyota version. Just like GM is planing a Cadillac based on the Volt.

It makes sense the Lexus version would look much more conservative (Or super boring).
And will have a trunk instead of the Prius’s hatchback.
It will also have a larger 2.4 Liter engine.

Starting prices should be closer to $30 000.

Conversation 25 comments

  1. ….reminds one of a Cadillac Cimarron. A Prius with a Lexus logo….very “GM” of them. GM’s imminent failure hasn’t shown Toyota anything about rebadging?

  2. They should make the hybrids all for the luxury crowd…The people with more dollars than sense…Like Hollywood twits.

  3. “Anonymous said…

    ….reminds one of a Cadillac Cimarron. A Prius with a Lexus logo….very “GM” of them. GM’s imminent failure hasn’t shown Toyota anything about rebadging?”

    You obviously have no idea what “rebadging” means.

  5. It looks great and if the price is close to $30,000, it will be a hot seller. That is almost $10,000 cheaper than the Volt’s proposed price. Another thoughtfully executed move from King Toyota.

  6. ….reminds one of a Cadillac Cimarron. A Prius with a Lexus logo….very “GM” of them. GM’s imminent failure hasn’t shown Toyota anything about rebadging?

    That’s an interesting observation, but the Cavalier platform for the Cimarron was crude, laughable and sub-standard at best. The Prius is a revolutionary and respectful automobile. Few people are loathe to say they drive/drove a Prius, but those who drove/drive a Cimarron will surely hang their heads in shame.

    They should make the hybrids all for the luxury crowd…The people with more dollars than sense…Like Hollywood twits.

    I agree. Make more hybrids for all market segments. But who are these “Hollywood twits?” People you don’t agree with politically? Now go get in your 82 Camaro and dream of the good old days. You’ll feel better.

  7. This isn’t the same GM clone mistake. They took it two far with 5 versions of the SAME Cavalier. At least this one will be different inside and out. I think it will fit in perfectly because Toyota hasn’t had a Prius sedan since the first generation. The Camry Hybrid is just plain invisible and will be killed by the fusion hybrid anyway. This car looks like a melted IS, but I don’t think it’s necesary a bad thing. I wonder what they will call it. The Lexus CS 240h?

  8. Toyota is following the same arrogant, lazy path as GM in the 70s and 80s. Back then, people drove Cutlasses and now they drive Camrys. They should just call this the Cimmaron II.

  9. This has no resemblance to a prius at all.
    This is great. It looks like an ordinary luxury vehicle.
    Good choice Lexus.
    Not every hybrid vehicle has to stand out and say “look at me”.
    Good lookng car as well.

  10. Brilliant and obvious idea. People want efficiency without having to sacrifice the luxury and appeal of driving a premium brand, which is why the BMW 1, Mercedes A and B, and Audi A2 and A3 have done so well in Europe.

    It’s about economy with the feeling that you’re driving an econo-car – consumers in the US are just a few years behind this trend, but since last summer’s preview of the what the future holds for gas prices, we’re beginning to catch on. Sadly, US manufacturers are even more behind, but they only have themselves to blame for not seeing the future. Exhibit A is how the Ford Explorer has been replaced as top-selling SUV by the Honda CRV, which now is available with leather, dual front temperature controls and nav. Want that with a label that goes down better at the Country Club? Get an Acura RDX.

  11. I dont care for Toyota or Lexus cars- high quality without high style.
    However, platform sharing is different than rebadging.
    Rebadging is making simple cosmetic changes to a car
    with little or no mechanical change, then selling it under a different brand name.

    A rebadged “Lexus Cimarron” would be a Corolla with:
    Exterior – restyled grille, headlights, tailights, bumpers, and some extra chrome.
    Interior – keep Corolla’s entire dashboard/interior. Add:
    Lexus badges, expensive leather, aluminum trim, and more sound deadening.

    After dressing up the Corolla, rename it Lexus IS.
    Sell this front wheel drive 4cylinder economy car engined “Lexus” for $36K and say it competes with BMW 3/Audi 4.

    This folks is rebadging.

  12. just like the cadillac cimarron that was based on the chevy cavalier, this will show toyotas arrogance has gone too far, that arrogance served GM well . Look at GM today, my wish is the same for toyota

  13. acura tl, lexus ES and RX are all blatantly obvious badge engineering product, and yet consistently they are 3 of the best selling luxury vehicles, adn the vehicles they are based on are are nothing more than average priced family cars with intention no other than mere transportation.

    at least the prius is somewhat of a niche vehicle, to many ppl it has a certain charm in its own way, so if they can sell glorified version fo absolutely boring cars like accord/camry as best selling luxury cars, the prius should have an even easier wearing a luxury brand badge.

  14. “Toyota is following the same arrogant, lazy path as GM in the 70s and 80s. Back then, people drove Cutlasses and now they drive Camrys. They should just call this the Cimmaron II.”

    Well it isnt Toyota who is begging for a bail out. So maybe the camry isnt so bad after all. A majority of people dont want a supercar and must be happy with what the camry provides.

  15. GM wasn’t begging for a bailout either back when consumers were buying every car that GM could build in the 70s and 80s. They were boring sub-standard vehicles that catered to the nonthinking masses. Just like Toyota today. The Camry is a miserable car that people buy only because other people buy it. Just like the endless sea of Cutlasses in the 80s.

  16. “This folks is rebadging.”

    ny3uvl714 has absolutely no idea what he is talking about. The Corolla and the Lexus IS have absolutely nothing in common what so ever, not even the floorpan.

    Most carmakers use a standard floor pan for a range of models.
    Toyota is no different.Only with the LX570 is there similarity with the landcruiser.
    But at least they use different bodys for each of their other models.
    Honda and nissan arnt much different when they have a luxury model.
    Ford and GM are the worst for basic rebadging. ie most mercury models are just rebadged fords. Now that is pointless. Actually add most lincoln models as well.

  17. What is wrong with you people. In what way does this car look anything like a prius? It may have the same powertrain as the prius but it will be much better. How can you even compare this to gm? Also, the camry is not a bad car, ive driven it and there is nothing wrong with it. I dont think people are buying it because other people are, i think everyone is comparing them to the older camrys that were more plain. There is no way the Fusion will kill the camry in any way. Toyota is not stupid enough to let that happen and the Fusion afterall is a FORD.

  18. just wait, the wheel is turning, I can see toyotas turn just around the corner. they are arrogant, they have been scolded publicly by the japanese president for poor quality…..their time is soon! Junk is Junk

  19. just wait, the wheel is turning, I can see toyotas turn just around the corner. they are arrogant, they have been scolded publicly by the japanese president for poor quality…..their time is soon! Junk is Junk

    December 22, 2008 7:09 AM

    The American companies went down first. Whats that saying?

  20. thats saying who cares. and BTW it’s not the americans, it’s GM and Chrysler. Also, it’s not all japs, just toyota. stop being so loyal to toyota, they don’t care about you.

  21. When I first saw this, I rolled my eyes in disbelief. But after thinking about it, it kind of makes sense. Hybrids are most useful where traffic is heavy because they can roll forward under electric only and only start the engine when needed. Those places are probably where most luxury and near-luxury cars are sold. So if Toyota can distinguish this next Lexus enough from its sibling, I think it will be a success. Afterall, I have an Integra (which was based on a Civic platform). Having driven both, I can tell you that my car is nothing like a Civic. It’ll be interesting to see how Toyota does with this. Now I’m wondering if they’ve beat Honda (as Acura) to the market again.

  22. just wait, the wheel is turning, I can see toyotas turn just around the corner. they are arrogant, they have been scolded publicly by the japanese president for poor quality…..their time is soon! Junk is Junk

    December 22, 2008 7:09 AM

    At least the japanese goverment has the guts to give toyota some constructive critisism.
    What has the american government done for the big three? Apart from giving in to the big three grovelling and givin them a big loan.

  23. rebadging – this is information the toyota marketers correctly “listen” to, and what the gm folks “fabricate” to fulfill executive anticipation…

  25. “ny3uvl714 has absolutely no idea what he is talking about. The Corolla and the Lexus IS have absolutely nothing in common what so ever, not even the floorpan.”

    They just said that as an example of what Toyota COULD have done if they took the cheap and easy way out (GM Style). The internet is sure not one for context, I can see how you got confused.

    One car that SHOULDN’T exist though is the ES. It’s overshadowed by the IS and GS now a days. It used to be the Baby Lexus. It doesn’t have any notable features these days so you might as well just get the Camry XLE V6 and call it a day. You’ll easily save yourself $10,000+. This and the LX are the only direct Lexus clones now, I think the GX is different enough from the 4Runner to constitute it’s existance.

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