TORRANCE, CA - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the Lexus 2010 HS 250h, the world's first dedicated luxury hybrid, a rating of five out of five stars for both front impact for the driver and right front passenger positions and side impact for the driver and left rear passenger positions.

The New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), a consumer information program created by NHTSA, rates vehicles to determine crash and rollover safety.  The crash test ratings are gathered during controlled crash and rollover tests conducted at the NHTSA research facilities.  The announcement was released on the NHTSA Web site www.safercar.gov.

According to Lexus, the body structure of the HS 250h plays a key role in the fundamental safety characteristics.  To help protect the driver and passengers, the body is designed to be strong but strategically resilient to help absorb and distribute energy in the event of a crash. High tension steel components are carefully located in the body structure, doors and other areas to help ensure strength in key areas.

Also incorporated is a standard class-leading 10-airbag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) with dual-stage front airbags and knee airbags for driver and front passenger, side curtain airbags, and both front and rear seat-mounted side airbags to help protect front and rear passengers in certain types of severe frontal or side collisions. The front passenger's twin-chamber airbag helps disperse the forces applied to the passenger immediately after deployment. Additionally, front and outer rear seatbelts incorporate pretensioners with force-limiters to help protect occupants in the event of certain severe frontal collisions. Active front headrests are also standard.

The HS 250h, which went on sale in August 2009, has an impressive 187 total system horsepower and has achieved EPA estimated fuel economy ratings of 35 mpg city and 34 mpg on the highway for a combined 35 mpg utilizing regular 87-octane gasoline - an 80 percent better city mpg rating compared to the average near luxury car.