2010 Lexus HS 250h

There are a lot of people who think Lexus’ new HS 250h hybrid is nothing but a tarted-up Toyota Prius with leather seats and a sedan shell. I actually thought that myself, to the point where I spent a full two days trying to come up with a funny way to combine “Lexus” and “Prius” into one word.

If you are looking for an affordable vehicle with a lot of versatility, then the 2010 Toyota Matrix is the car for you. The Matrix was designed for people who want a vehicle with a sporty image and high functionality. It’s practical, stylish and affordable. It’s rated one of the best compact cars for hauling people and cargo in its price-class. The Matrix has a high safety rating; three stars for front-passenger protection and four stars for rear-passenger protection.

Its large cargo area can be expanded by folding rear seats and folding the front-passenger seat. The Matrix also has: a durable plastic cargo floor, adjustable tie-downs for securing any bulky/messy cargo, a roomy backseat with five inches of head room (allowing it to accommodate adults), all-wheel drive, antilock brakes, and stability control. Under the hood, the Matrix has a 1.8L four-cylinder engine putting out 126-hp and 122 lb-ft torque. The Matrix will also get a combined 28 MPG according to Fueleconomy.