Lexus RX 400h Review

Typical price:

£35,805

We like:

The fuel economy; the performance; the good value for money

We don't like:

Parent company Toyota's ethical track record; the fact that it's still an SUV and there are far greener alternatives

SmartPlanet judgement:

The notion of a green SUV is, rightly, an oxymoron. But if you really must buy a full-size SUV, this is the best choice for fuel economy compared to its peers. You won't be scrimping on quality either, since the combined electric and petrol engines provide for exhilarating acceleration. The fittings and kit inside are surprisingly luxurious for the money too.

Score:

Contact:

Nice Car Company at http://www.lexus.co.uk/
Telephone: +44 (0)1737 367 267

Let's be honest; we all want to be good and have an early night in with a good book -- but how tempting is a night at the pub with your mates? This same struggle between good intention and good plain fun applies to your choice of car, too.

For the vast majority of the population, a small, cheap and efficient hatchback would satisfy our requirements. But many car buyers want more than a box on wheels -- they want status, style, luxury and the ability to mount kerbs at will. Which explains the existence of the SUV.

The problem with these behemoths is that most are about as fuel efficient as a holed supertanker, which is not good for the planet or guilty consciences. Fortunately, the people at Lexus believe they have a solution.

The luxury car brand's RX range has now been extended with the launch of the RX 400h, which is the first hybrid SUV in Europe. Like its rivals, the Lexus has four-wheel drive, but in this instance the petrol engine drives only the front wheels and the car has two electric motors to help out. One powers the rear wheels when necessary, while a second electric motor assists the petrol engine when full acceleration is needed.

It may sound complicated, but that's because it is. The Hybrid Synergy Drive system is fiendishly complex, constantly monitoring all manner of variables in order to deliver the performance required by the driver in the most efficient manner possible. As the driver, the only significant difference will be the silence after you turn the key. Possibly followed by the abundance of cash in your pocket.

Driving it requires no extra effort or technical expertise; simply slot the automatic transmission into Drive and sail away. The battery packs are impossible to drain completely, as they charge when braking or coasting -- so there's no need to trail a power cable from your front door every evening like you do with an electric car.

Under certain conditions, the RX 400h can operate entirely on battery power. That means only the faint hum of tyre and wind noise will disturb you, and in traffic all you can hear are other cars' engines. Accelerate more keenly, and the petrol engine will join in to provide extra urge. Even so, the smooth six-cylinder unit is refined and quiet, failing to disturb the car's relaxing nature. Unless, that is, you decide to floor the throttle, when the engines combine to deliver highly impressive performance. It's easy to alarm other road users with its acceleration.

Driven hard, this Lexus can't be described as frugal, but with a little care and restraint you can achieve 34.9mpg, though we usually achieved high twenties for mpg in our tests. A comparable BMW X5 4.4 is no quicker to 60mph (the RX 400h does it 7.6 seconds) and can't better 25.4mpg.

The rest of the driving experience is biased towards comfort. The steering and brakes are effective, but this vehicle won't excite you when driven at speed through a series of bends, despite the superb acceleration. It does incorporate the VDIM system, however, first seen on the new Lexus GS. Its highlight is the fact that it intervenes before the car reaches its limits rather than afterwards, which makes it smoother and less sudden during a sharp change of direction.

In other respects, the Lexus remains as capable and stylish as the more conventional petrol-engined models. A minor facelift incorporates a new grille and extra vents at the front, to aid cooling for the petrol and electric motors. It is still a pleasing shape, looking suitably rugged without straying into downright ugliness.

The positives continue on the inside. The straightforward dashboard is clearly laid out and finished in high quality materials. It's well equipped, too -- even the entry model gets electric front seats, cruise control, automatic air conditioning and a six-disc CD changer. The interior is comfortable and accommodating, with generous head and legroom for front and rear passengers.

It's worth noting Lexus is one of Toyota's brands, which means our ethical concerns over the Toyota's lobbying of US fuel econonmy measures stands for this car too. Read our Toyota Prius review for more detail on that.

If an SUV is your car of choice, then you can buy an RX 400h with the knowledge that you own the most fuel efficient, petrol-powered, full-scale 4x4 on the market.

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