2008 Lexus RX 400h review
September 4, 2008 by Alborz Fallah
Simple. It makes them feel good. Plus, and probably more importantly, because the RX 400h, is actually not all that bad. But before I get into how the car drives and behaves, let’s got some of the dirty work out of the way.
The all important figure. The 3.3-litre engine from the RX 330 of old is mated to three electric motors, effectively producing more than 200kW of power, but managing only 8.1L/100km. During the week long test that figure was inflated to 8.7L/100km, which is well and truly still acceptable.
The hybrid system works by one electric motor up front helping the petrol engine to drive the front wheels. A second electric motor driving the rear wheels (without input from the petrol engine), while a third generates charge to the battery.
The RX400h, demands a $10,000 premium over the equivalent RX 350 which delivers similar power but a fuel consumption of 11.2L/100km.
The RX 400h is based on the RX 350 Sports Luxury ($87,000) but also comes with Vehicle Dynamics integrated Management (VDiM), driver and front-passenger seat heaters, leather-bound steering wheel (in lieu of woodgrain) and metallic trim on the shift lever, shift lever gate, centre console, rear centre armrest and inside door trim (all in lieu of woodgrain).
No doubt most of that $10K goes into the hybrid system, but the VdiM is also worthy of a mention as it directs the rear electric motor to provide torque to the rear wheels to maintain vehicle stability.
i love the RX series. ever since they were released i’ve wanted one, and now i want the Hybrid. haha. but not just coz of all the savings n stuff, but it looks much better than the non hyrbid models with its grill and wheels n such.
love it, and cant wait for the new generation to be shown later this year/early next year.
great review =]
if you really want a luxury SUV, get a used X5 E53 3.0 Diesel, do a test drive and see what happens
yeah i have relatively liked the RX-series too but i cant see why the RX400h is ten grand over the RX350 when the GS450h is CHEAPER than the GS460. Strange.
Also star rating is mixed up – it says 2 1/2 instead of 3 3/4.
clarification on the interior, the RX400h now has a partial woodgrain and leather wheel like the RX350.
acceleration may feel slow, but it is just as quick as similarly powered rivals.
one thing you neglect to mention in your review is the cost of ownership being relatively low to its competitors.
and in recouping your $10k premium over the RX350, you forget the stronger resale of the RX400h due to its “green” credentials
and the excellent customer service satisfaction from Lexus :D
Milobob you have no idea how good their after sales services are. Free courtesy car, car wash, delivery and pickup of your car WITH a free courtesy car etc etc. And might i add, you can talk your dealer into giving you a car you’d like to take as your courtesy car (IS-F anyone? lol)
Might I add that the RX400h is faster than the RX330.
This is coming from an IS250 and RX330 owner =)
I totally agree with Sco here – you need to take into consideration the resale value and not just the initial differences in retail price when discussing costs.
How can hybrid system be both a positive and a negative? Without explanation. If the hybrid is only 10 grand more, it seems worth it too me, particularly in europe were they get benefits for driving hybrid vehicles.
Yes the cost of ownership may be lower. The point I was trying to make here was the RX series is a great car, however, go for the RX350 as it presents better value for money.
As for resale value due to its green credentials, that is highly debatable given the next generation hybrid cars are only around the corner, and may put the RX400h to shame very soon. Making the current technology seem someone obsolete
And the hybrid system is both a plus and minus. Plus – because of its ability to power the car at slow speeds and fuel economy in general, and a minus due to its 10g additional cost.
I think Alborz Fallah misses the point.
1st point. It is a Lexus.. so 10k to people who buy a Lexus does not matter. People who buy a Lexus hybrid are making a statement that they are using there money to look after the enviornemt.
2nd Point. If you have a bias against Hybrid vehicles you should try to standardise your ratings.
3rd Point. You go into the maths of petrol savings..Why? If the buyer wanted to save money they would buy a Prius?
Now the toddlers won’t even hear it coming as mum backs out the driveway.
I don’t think RX buyers would necessarily not care about petrol cost savings… as a lot of luxury SUV buyers pick diesel for the same reason… I for one chose petrol over diesel for my 45K hatch because of performance and it still uses only 10L/100km (rated 8L/100km)…
1st point. – That’s definitely a bad assumption. But I do agree with your point that many feel its their due to the environment
2nd Point. I don’t have a bias against hybrid or electric vehicles, but I do have a bias against vehicles that are riding on the green wave with little validity
3rd Point. RX buyers are not in the same market as Prius buyers.
As i said, I would have no hesitation recommending the RX350 – it’s a great car.
I agree with Alborz. The 400h is a nice car but 10k is still a lot of money (regardless of the socio-economics).
And Riceboy’s logic (of buying the petrol over the diesel) backs the math that Alborz presented; the intial cost for most will outweigh any benefits of alternate motive power.
In most cases readers out there should do any comparison themselves using Alborz’ formula. Resale isnt a factor if you keep the car longer than 4 years anyway. Servicing a more expensive hybrid/diesel category is something people tend to forget.
I would add that the less CO2 emissions is a mighty good thing… to say it is not is flagrant disregard for environmental benefits. If you can have same performance, cheaper long term running costs and produce less emissions to boot then why not? Better for now and the future.
Oh and steve… that is why it has a reversing camera and sensors…. standard.
100k for a car and u talk resale?WTF.
Agree next generation Hybrid is going to make this look a bit sad given that the current tech is 10 years old.
If image is more important than substance buy the Hybrid.
Hybrid’s are more than likely (whether we want them to be or not) the way car’s are headed for the future…but what’s the real enviromental benefit?
What about the extra pollution created in the production of the battery as well as all the additional parts, or the toxic waste left over after the car comes to the end of its life?
Hybrid’s are a great idea (as are GM’s new E-Flex car’s), but lets not get too carried away
PS: lets hope the next RX is every bit as good as this one – X5 is a bit too big really
rx350 is good enough.
the hybrid would only be useful in the cbd.
I mean if you do highway driving the 3 electric motors are useless so there would be no gain. Better yet get a diesel
I have not been able to find info on how effective the hybrid system is out of town.. Most testers say they are best in town – but if you do country trips in a 440h, how would it go on consumption compared to 330.. Anyone know??
what a weird review.
To talk about the CO2 emissions and then ask ‘Does it really matter’ is ridiculous.
Yes it does matter if then next geration or the one after them has a habitable planet left to them.
I am a fan of the RX350, but have found that my friends that have them are scared of the real world city fuel comsumption often averaging 16-18l/100km around town.
It is exactly these city conditions where the hybid will shine with its electric motors taking over from the petrol engine. As most of these luxury SUVs are only city runabouts the real world fuel saving will probably recoup the $10 000 premium in more like 4 years than the 8 years suggested, the addition resale (and they will be worth more despite the dodgy suggestion of the reviewer)would then be yours to pocket.
Personally I am not yet convinced that petrol hybrids are the long term solution to our planets woes, but they are here and NOW and are a damn good start.
If every SUV could halve its polution around the city we would all have cleaner air to breath.
YES IT DOES MATTER!
Just don’t get it…. drove it – couldn’t get used to the unpredictable throttle response… seems variable power available….. great enviro marketing plot from the company that brings you the Landcruiser…..
Check out youtube – Top Gear – S-Class – Clarkson and you’ll find the S-Class V8 is more enviro friendly than the Prius! –
Oh and no Cargo barrier available…. ridiculous…
I’m with you timeforchange. Of course it C02 emissions matter.
You can’t compare petrol to diesel. And since Lexus don’t do diesel there is no comparison.
As for Clarkson and his s-class v8…. this is the same guy who published his bank account and other personal details and said no-one can take money out of his account… well he was proven wrong wasn’t he? Don’t get me wrong, I think he’s great as a comedian but when it comes to making objective unbiased comments…. I don’t think so.
One the greatest cars ever!!
The review is ridiculous…
and biased
I have the 400h and it’s the BEST car I have ever owned! I can’t wait to trade up in a few years to the 450H! I save Hundreds of dollars a month in fuel costs and it is fantastically appointed. I’ve previously had a Volvo XC-90 and Mercedes ML and the Lexus has it over them WELL and TRULY! Who wants and X5 anyway – ANYONE can have one of those…give me my Lexus 400h everytime!
i totally agree trudi i own a Rx350 and am currently in the point of upgrading to the 450h and lexus is the best car i have ever one with the best customer service and for the point of bmw and merc who would want one they have no customer service your just a number at lexus your a friend of the family they are just the best most luxurious cars around and i wouldnt be seen in anything else