LEXUS RX400H Review

Summary:

What we like: Smooth ride, Fuel economy

What we don't like: Expensive, Engine noise

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LEXUS RX400H review in detail:

This luxurious Lexus doesn't even pretend to be an off-roader even though it has the looks of a stylish 4WD. Rather, it's a sleek all-purpose car with low ground clearance.

The latter makes for better handling and increased comfort in on-road running. The engine and motor generators combine seamlessly, and the RX 400h can run on battery power at low acceleration or when coasting. The best feature of the Lexus RX350 is its smooth ride, which is a long-time tradition of this company.

Refinement is there in the sort of way that would simply not have been possible in a conventional 4WD.

The smooth twin-cam engine is transversely mounted and mated to a five-speed sequential automatic transmission. Lexus's RX350's all-wheel-drive system is a complex one and gives stability and security at speeds much higher than the typical owner is likely to attempt in all-road running on forest trails and similar surfaces.

However, it would seem to make more sense to simply have the vehicles as a 2WD station wagon and thus increase its performance and reduce its fuel consumption.

The hybrid Lexus RX400h is on offer for those concerned about the latter.

It's aimed at the performance end of the consumption/acceleration compromise but still gives lowish emissions and decent economy.

The 400h has a sleek, high-tech interior with aluminum trim, chrome-rimmed gauges and a touchscreen that displays the gas-electric power distribution. The 40/20/20-split rear seat slides and reclines.

The 2007 RX 400h provides standard front, side-curtain, head and driver knee airbags. It also comes with antilock brakes, brake assist, stability and traction control and a rollover sensor. Official crash tests of the 400h have not been performed but scores of its sister vehicle, the regular RX 350, should be applicable.