Lexus RX 400h SUV Review
SUV Reviewer
The Lexus RX 400h is a luxury mid-size crossover SUV that is also a hybrid vehicle. Along with the benefits that a hybrid vehicle provides, the Lexus RX 400h also provides a high quality interior and an extremely smooth and quiet ride. There are also an abundance of high-technology features in the cabin that are both standard and optional that make the vehicle more user-friendly as well as comfortable for its passengers.
The Lexus RX 400h seats five passengers and is available as either a front-wheel or all-wheel drive vehicle. Only one trim level is available and includes fog lights, keyless ignition and entry, 18-inch alloy wheels, front seats that are powered ten ways, mirrors that auto-dim, a power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, cloth upholstery, automatic climate control with two zones, interior trim made of wood, and an audio system with nine speakers, a six-disc CD changer and satellite radio.
There are several optional packages for the Lexus RX 400h. One is the Premium package which includes a sunroof, leather upholstery, a power tailgate, memory for the driver seat, an interface for the iPod and a rear-seat armrest. All other packages require having the Premium package. There is a Comfort package that adds wipers which sense the rain, adaptive xenon headlights, front seats that are heated and ventilated and an audio system with 12 speakers. The Luxury for the Lexus RX 400h package includes LED headlights, upgraded leather upholstery, extendable front seat cushions, 19-inch wheels, outside mirrors that are power retractable, and side view cameras. Included in the Navigation package is a navigation system based on a hard-drive with real-time traffic and voice control, a special remote touch interface, Bluetooth functionality and a back-up camera.
Power in the Lexus RX 400h is provided by a 3.5 liter V6 engine that runs on gasoline and two or three electric motors. There are two motors in vehicles with front-wheel drive, one that provides propulsion and the other that serves as a starter/generator. There is a third electric motor in all-wheel drive models that power the rear wheels. The combined output produced is 295 horsepower and the transmission is a specialized continuously variable one.
Fuel economy for the Lexus RX 400h is rated at 32 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway and 30 mpg combined for front-wheel drive models while all-wheel drive models are rated slightly less at 30 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway and 29 mpg combined. The Lexus RX 400h can tow up to 3,500 pounds with the proper equipment.
The interior of the Lexus RX 400h is upscale in nature, with high quality materials and leading edge technology features. An air of opulence is provided by the superior leather upholstery and real wood trim. Seating is comfortable and roomy for both front and rear passengers, with second row seats that slide and recline. Cargo capacity is 40 cubic feet behind the second row of seats and expands to 80 cubic feet when the second row of seats is folded down.
The ride of the Lexus RX 400h is smooth with a compliant suspension system and sound insulation that makes for a quiet cabin. The hybrid powertrain is also rather silent and the vehicle can ride on electric power for speeds under 30 mph which serves to improve fuel economy.
The Lexus RX 400h seats five passengers and is available as either a front-wheel or all-wheel drive vehicle. Only one trim level is available and includes fog lights, keyless ignition and entry, 18-inch alloy wheels, front seats that are powered ten ways, mirrors that auto-dim, a power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, cloth upholstery, automatic climate control with two zones, interior trim made of wood, and an audio system with nine speakers, a six-disc CD changer and satellite radio.
There are several optional packages for the Lexus RX 400h. One is the Premium package which includes a sunroof, leather upholstery, a power tailgate, memory for the driver seat, an interface for the iPod and a rear-seat armrest. All other packages require having the Premium package. There is a Comfort package that adds wipers which sense the rain, adaptive xenon headlights, front seats that are heated and ventilated and an audio system with 12 speakers. The Luxury for the Lexus RX 400h package includes LED headlights, upgraded leather upholstery, extendable front seat cushions, 19-inch wheels, outside mirrors that are power retractable, and side view cameras. Included in the Navigation package is a navigation system based on a hard-drive with real-time traffic and voice control, a special remote touch interface, Bluetooth functionality and a back-up camera.
Power in the Lexus RX 400h is provided by a 3.5 liter V6 engine that runs on gasoline and two or three electric motors. There are two motors in vehicles with front-wheel drive, one that provides propulsion and the other that serves as a starter/generator. There is a third electric motor in all-wheel drive models that power the rear wheels. The combined output produced is 295 horsepower and the transmission is a specialized continuously variable one.
Fuel economy for the Lexus RX 400h is rated at 32 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway and 30 mpg combined for front-wheel drive models while all-wheel drive models are rated slightly less at 30 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway and 29 mpg combined. The Lexus RX 400h can tow up to 3,500 pounds with the proper equipment.
The interior of the Lexus RX 400h is upscale in nature, with high quality materials and leading edge technology features. An air of opulence is provided by the superior leather upholstery and real wood trim. Seating is comfortable and roomy for both front and rear passengers, with second row seats that slide and recline. Cargo capacity is 40 cubic feet behind the second row of seats and expands to 80 cubic feet when the second row of seats is folded down.
The ride of the Lexus RX 400h is smooth with a compliant suspension system and sound insulation that makes for a quiet cabin. The hybrid powertrain is also rather silent and the vehicle can ride on electric power for speeds under 30 mph which serves to improve fuel economy.
The car is OK. It is dependable. I will however, never own another one due to the GPS system. I have actually had to start using an old Tom Tom GPS because the one that comes with the 400h is useless. Let me know when Lexus can actually put in a GPS system that works. Here is a tip, they could go to Walmart and buy a GPS for $100 and install it. Lexus charges almost $200 just to keep there unit current. For get it. How can they screw up so bad when the rest of the car is good.