Feb 1, 2008
The 2008 Lexus Rx400h: A luxury hybrid
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The point of a hybrid is to maximize fuel economy, right? Yes and no. Hybrid systems can be performance-enhancing, too. They’re not just for the Prius crowd anymore.
For better or worse, Lexus, Toyota’s upscale subsidiary, has expanded America’s hybrid horizons by building a midsize sport-utility called the RX400h. Superficially, there’s little to distinguish it from the RX350, one of the best-designed, best-built and best-performing cars of its kind on the road today. But look a little deeper and you’ll find a nickel-metal hydride battery under the backseat and at least one electric motor in the drive train — two if it’s an all-wheel drive model, one for each set of wheels.
The RX400h rockets from 0-60 in just 7.53 seconds — “better than some V-8 competitors,” Lexus boasts.
And fuel economy? Well …
We averaged 23.5 mpg on premium fuel in mostly highway driving. The RX400h does better around town, where its electric motors come more into play. It’s rated at 26 mpg in urban driving, 24 on the highway.
Lexus also makes a peppy 2.5-liter, 204-horsepower V-6. In the IS250 sedan, it delivers 22/28 mpg. Plenty powerful enough to propel the 2-ton RX body for all but the most aggressive driving styles, it would give sensational fuel economy with Lexus’ hybrid system. But that car exists only in the greenest precincts of your imagination.
Lexus asserts the hybrid system “enhances the luxury experience rather than calling attention to itself.” The only aspect that’s disconcerting is the startup procedure. If you turn the key without any accessories on, the car remains utterly silent, as the electric motors stand ready to get things under way. Then you put the car into gear without being 100 percent sure it’s ready for action. In cold weather (and, we would assume, hot weather as well), the climate-control system demands power and the internal-combustion engine starts up after a delay of a few seconds.
Hybrid system aside, the RX is the best midsize SUV we’ve driven in quite a while. We would qualify that by noting we haven’t got our hands on a BMW X-5 or Mercedes-Benz M-Class in some time. But the American, Japanese and Korean competitors we’ve driven really aren’t in the RX series’ class.
The RX400h with all-wheel drive starts at $42,580, $5,000 more than the base front-wheel-drive RX350. Options, including an easy-to-use navigation system with rear camera and Premium Plus package that includes leather upholstery and moon roof, brought our Brandy Wine Mica RX400h just short of $50,000.
The RX series received 5-star ratings in government crash tests and the top “Good” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Consumer Reports magazine predicts better-than-average reliability.
With its exquisite road manners, impeccable luxury, exceptional safety record and matchless quality, the RX400h would be a welcome addition to anyone’s driveway. But all the same, we’ll hold out for the 30-mpg RX250h, should Lexus decide to build it.
Steven Macoy (smacoy3070@cs.com) is a longtime car enthusiast and full-time editor who lives in Bethel, Conn.
© Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers
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