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Lexus RX400h Hybrid Review: Difference between revisions
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Currently, [[Lexus]] is using the fourth generation of [[Hybrid Synergy Drive]] from [[Toyota]]. The [[Lexus]] RX, [[Lexus ES 350]], [[Toyota Camry]], and [[Toyota Highlander]] are all built on the same platform with slight modifications between the sedans and the SUVs. | |||
The gasoline-powered part of the engine system is a 3.3L 3MZ-FE [[V6]], very similar to the one found in the [[Lexus RX|RX 330]]. It produces 268 [[HP]] when aided by the two additional electric motors. Under normal driving conditions, only the front motor and gasoline engine will be used. The rear motor will only be used under full-throttle acceleration or when the front wheels lose traction (if so equipped). The gasoline engine will switch off automatically when the vehicle is either stationary, decelerating, or being driven at a slow speed and the electric motor will take over. A Ni-MH battery is responsible for powering the motors, and it is charged during deceleration and from the heat energy caused from braking. | |||
==High Points== | ==High Points== | ||
* Acceleration | |||
* Fuel economy | |||
* Headlights | |||
==Low Points== | ==Low Points== | ||
* Body styling | |||
* Floaty suspension | |||
* Rear visibility | |||
==Performance and Handling== | ==Performance and Handling== | ||
The assistance of the electric motor increases the vehicle's performance, the RX 400h [[Hybrid Cars|Hybrid]] can reach 60 mph (97km/h) in less than 8 seconds which is quicker than the normally aspirated RX 330. Despite the increased performance, the RX 400h consumes roughly the same amount of fuel as a compact four-cylinder [[sedan]] and it qualifies as a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle ([[Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle|SULEV]]) in America. | |||
The great downfall of all the power offered up in the RX 400h, is that the suspension stuggles to find the balance of "supple yet sporting" this Hybrid strives to acheive. Reducing radius turns and undulations on roads with higher speed limits bring this [[SUV]] to its knees. | |||
==Gas Mileage== | ==Gas Mileage== | ||
As seen on the [http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/ FuelEconomy.gov] website, the City/Highway MPG averages are as follows: | As seen on the [http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/ FuelEconomy.gov] website, the City/Highway MPG averages are as follows: | ||
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==Reliability and Maintenance== | ==Reliability and Maintenance== | ||
Revision as of 16:50, 6 July 2006
Currently, Lexus is using the fourth generation of Hybrid Synergy Drive from Toyota. The Lexus RX, Lexus ES 350, Toyota Camry, and Toyota Highlander are all built on the same platform with slight modifications between the sedans and the SUVs.
The gasoline-powered part of the engine system is a 3.3L 3MZ-FE V6, very similar to the one found in the RX 330. It produces 268 HP when aided by the two additional electric motors. Under normal driving conditions, only the front motor and gasoline engine will be used. The rear motor will only be used under full-throttle acceleration or when the front wheels lose traction (if so equipped). The gasoline engine will switch off automatically when the vehicle is either stationary, decelerating, or being driven at a slow speed and the electric motor will take over. A Ni-MH battery is responsible for powering the motors, and it is charged during deceleration and from the heat energy caused from braking.
High Points
- Acceleration
- Fuel economy
- Headlights
Low Points
- Body styling
- Floaty suspension
- Rear visibility
Performance and Handling
The assistance of the electric motor increases the vehicle's performance, the RX 400h Hybrid can reach 60 mph (97km/h) in less than 8 seconds which is quicker than the normally aspirated RX 330. Despite the increased performance, the RX 400h consumes roughly the same amount of fuel as a compact four-cylinder sedan and it qualifies as a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) in America.
The great downfall of all the power offered up in the RX 400h, is that the suspension stuggles to find the balance of "supple yet sporting" this Hybrid strives to acheive. Reducing radius turns and undulations on roads with higher speed limits bring this SUV to its knees.
Gas Mileage
As seen on the FuelEconomy.gov website, the City/Highway MPG averages are as follows:
|
Trim |
|
|
2006 RX 400h FWD |
2006 RX 400h AWD |
|
MPG |
|
|
33/28 |
31/27 |
Safety
- Front seat-mounted side airbags (SRS)
- Driver's and front passenger's advanced airbag system (SRS) with crash-severity sensors
- Front and rear roll-sensing side curtainairbags
- Driver's knee airbag
- Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM)
- ABS with Brake Assist
- Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
- Reinforced Body
- Three-point seatbelts with pre-tensioners seatbelts for all seats
- Daytime Running Lights
- Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)
- Traction Control (TRAC)
- Direct Tire Pressure Monitor System
- Theft-Deterrent System with engine immobilizer
- LED tailights
Pricing
Today's actual prices for the Lexus RX 400h can be found at CarsDirect.
|
Model Trims |
|
|
FWD |
AWD |
|
MSRP |
|
|
$44,660 |
$46,060 |
|
Invoice |
|
|
$39,746 |
$40,992 |
Reliability and Maintenance
Interior and Comforts
- Brushed-aluminum accents
- An illuminated meter, displaying the level of power generated by the hybrid powertrain replaces the tachometer
- The gas-electric power distribution can also be pulled up on the multi-information display or the optional navigation system’s 7 inch touch panel display.
The rear seats fold down just like in the RX 350, however they don’t fold down perfectly falt since the battery packs are stored there. Once the rear seats are folded, there is 83.9 cubic feet of cargo space, compared to the RX 350’s 84.7 cubic feet. Both RX models still surpass their main competitors, the BMW X5, the Mercedes-Benz ML350, or the Infiniti FX, in terms of cargo space. However the RX still does not offer a third-row seating area.
Exterior
Styles and Major Options
Standard Equipment
- Leather-trimmed interior, steering wheel and shift knob
- Brushed aluminum interior trim pieces
- Power tilt-and-telescopic steering column with memory
- Lexus Memory System to control power driver’s seat (except lumbar), outside mirrors and steering wheel
- Illuminated entry system
- Power tilt-and-slide sunroof with one-touch open/close and sliding sunshade
- Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS)
- High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps with dynamic auto-leveling
- Roof rack with rails
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- 10-way driver (including lumbar) and 8-way front passenger power seats
- Lexus eight-speaker, Premium Sound system with in-dash six-disc CD changer
- Steering wheel mounted cruise control, audio and display function controls
Individual Factory Options
- Lexus DVD Rear-Seat Entertainment System (RSES) (includes two pairs of wireless headphones) - $1,840
- Heated Front Seats with Rain-Sensing Wipers - $665
- Mark Levinson® 11-speaker, 210-watt Premium Audio System with in-dash, single-feed, six-disc CD changer - $980
- Lexus voice-activated DVD Navigation System (includes backup camera and Bluetooth® technology) - $2,350
Dealer Accessories
- All-weather floor mats
- Car cover
- Cargo mat
- Cargo net
- Front-end mask
- Tow-hitch receiver
- Wheel locks
- Wireless headphones
Main Competitors
- Acura RDX
- BMW X3
- Hummer H3
- Infiniti FX35/FX45
- Land Rover LR3
- Mercedes Benz ML350
- Toyota Hylander Hybrid
- Volvo XC90
