2008 Lexus RX 400h review
4 Sep, 2008
22 Comments 
Comfort wise the RX400h is a great SUV. It’s comfortable to sit in, smooth over even the harshest roads, provides an excellent driving position and comes with all the features you’d expect in a Lexus without the need to tick any options (not that you could, because there aren’t any).
However if you look past the luxury features and the comfortable ride, the car, in it self, is starting to show its age. The RX series has been around since 2003 and to the untrained eye, it hasn’t changed all that much.
Then there is the drivetrain. Having one petrol and three electric motors sounds like a great idea, and if you stare at the energy monitor long enough you are all but convinced. But take a closer look and you’ll see the periods in which the electric motors are working without the help of the petrol motor are few.
The biggest benefit of the hybrid system is driving under 30km/h. First timers will turn the car on, then attempt to turn the car on again, and again. You see, it makes no noise whatsoever, because the petrol motor is still switched off. All you’ve done is turn on the silent electric motors.
Drive out of your drive way and you’ll be quietest neighbour around till you hit around 30km/h. The technology will prove most useful in start-stop traffic conditions when the electric motors will take control and save you precious fuel.
My biggest disagreement with the RX400h is the transmission. Using an Electronically Controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (E-CVT) to allow the petrol and electric motors to work as one, acceleration feels sluggish and downright slow at times.
Location: Home / Lexus, Behind the Wheel / ...
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(5 votes, average: 3.4 out of 5)
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September 4th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
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 =]
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September 4th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
if you really want a luxury SUV, get a used X5 E53 3.0 Diesel, do a test drive and see what happens
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September 4th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
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.
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September 4th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
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
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September 4th, 2008 at 10:24 pm
and the excellent customer service satisfaction from Lexus :D
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September 4th, 2008 at 11:03 pm
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 =)
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September 5th, 2008 at 8:55 am
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.
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September 5th, 2008 at 8:56 am
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.
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September 5th, 2008 at 10:10 am
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.
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September 5th, 2008 at 10:51 am
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?
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September 5th, 2008 at 11:12 am
Now the toddlers won’t even hear it coming as mum backs out the driveway.
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September 5th, 2008 at 11:45 am
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)…
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September 5th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
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.
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September 5th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
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.
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September 5th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
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.
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September 5th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
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.
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September 8th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
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
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September 9th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
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
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September 9th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
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??
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September 10th, 2008 at 12:20 am
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!
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September 10th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
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…
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September 12th, 2008 at 11:52 am
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.
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