When it comes to hybrids, Toyota has experienced a great deal of success with its Prius family of vehicles and hybrid variants of its Camry and Highlander. Toyota's luxury division, Lexus, hasn't experienced the same amount of widespread success with its hybrid models.

Lexus' first dedicated hybrid model, the awkward-looking HS 250h, has been a sales disaster. Sales of the hybrid reached a high of 10,663 units in 2010, but plummeted 73 percent last year to a pitiful 2,864 units. As a result, Lexus has already ended production of the vehicle.

"Production of the HS 250h ceased in January, 2012," stated a Lexus representative to Inside Line in an email. "Lexus continues to monitor sales for each product and we make adjustments to make sure that we meet market demand, and the discontinuation of HS was part of that adjustment. The ES 300h is not replacing HS in our lineup. It's merely part of the hybridization of many of our existing vehicles in the Toyota and Lexus lineups."

The HS 250h has been outpaced by the cheaper, more fuel efficient CT 200h, and the upcoming ES 300h will slot in above the HS 250h’s current spot in the Lexus family.

A 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 147hp powers the Lexus HS 250h. It is paired with a single electric motor that brings the total system to 187hp. Despite being a "hybrid" in name, its fuel economy numbers are hardly worth getting excited about. The $37,000 HS 250h gets a commendable 35 mpg in the city, but an unimpressive 33mpg on the highway.