Overview & Reviews

Starting in 2006, those wishing to fly their "green" flag in the lap of luxury had a willing ally in which to strut their stuff. With its advanced gasoline-electric drivetrain, the Lexus RX 400h SUV married the luxury and utility of Lexus' RX midsize crossover vehicle with the improved fuel economy and performance of a hybrid.

Available in either front- or all-wheel-drive versions, the Lexus RX 400h used a hybrid powertrain system that combined a gasoline-fueled V6 engine with a battery pack and electric motor generators. Similar to the hybrid setups on other Toyota products, the 400h could seamlessly accelerate on battery power alone during light acceleration. It also boasted a generous 286 horsepower overall, giving it impressive performance along with superior fuel economy ratings.

The Lexus RX 400h crossover was the first true luxury hybrid SUV, and it came packaged with all the normal RX traits like premium interior amenities and a smooth ride. But potential used-SUV buyers simply wishing to go green might also want to check out other, less extravagant hybrids if price is a consideration.

Most Recent Lexus RX 400h

The Lexus RX 400h midsize luxury SUV was produced from 2006-'09 essentially unchanged. It came in a single trim level with standard cloth seats, 10-way power front seats, dual-zone climate control, second-row sliding/reclining seats and a six-disc CD player. Popular options included leather trim, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a moonroof, a navigation system with a back-up camera and 18-inch wheels. An audio package with a Mark Levinson DVD audio system was also available.

Under the sheet metal, the 400h's hybrid drivetrain combined a 3.3-liter V6 engine with a 288-volt nickel-metal hydride battery pack and high-torque, electric-drive motor-generators. Driving through a continuously variable transmission, the 400h produced 268 hp and boasted a 0-60-mph time of less than 8 seconds for standard and all-wheel-drive models. Standard safety features were plentiful, and included front, side curtain and driver-knee airbags, as well as stability and traction control and a rollover sensor.

Inside there was a streamlined, modern cabin with aluminum accents, bright-ringed gauges and a touchscreen detailing the hybrid's gas-electric power generation split. A sliding and reclining split rear seat optimized passenger comfort, and a power liftgate provided access to nearly 85 cubic feet of cargo space with the seats folded down. A third-row seat was not available.

Once underway, the Lexus RX 400h drove much like its traditional gas-powered sibling, and although the electric motors didn't provide the same lusty soundtrack of a performance car, acceleration was certainly spirited. The 400h's ride was soft and compliant, yet the handling was also generally tight and precise, a surprise given the hybrid's 300 extra pounds of curb weight. But you could definitely feel that extra weight in faster corners and quick transitions. Our editors also noticed that a good deal of engine noise entered the cabin under hard acceleration, as the hybrid system forced the V6 to regularly spin right up to redline.

User Reviews:

• 

  love it - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By EUGENETILLEY - May 17 - 11:06 pm

  I love the gas mileage, the look and the feel.If I bought it again, I wouldnt pay extra for the powerful sound system. It is not needed. The top feature is the quiet ride when it runs on electric power with the gasoline motor not running. The great fuel mileage is just a plus!!! Go Lexus! Eugene Tilley

• 

  Gas Mileage a Fraud - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By Kelly Turton - May 13 - 11:03 pm

  Touted as 31MPG City, 28MPG Hwy. We have around 1800 miles on ours and the very best it gets is 21MPG overall. Dealer said that it did not need a break in period. Now they say it could take 6000 miles to break in. Both dealer and factory said the RX400h is more about performance and less about MPG. Baloney! There are a lot of cars out there that get 21 MPG. The only reason we paid the $10,000 higher sticker price over the regular RX model was for the better mileage. Both dealer and factory have tried to blame our driving habits. We live in So. Cal. where the weather is good and the roads are level.

• 

  2006 Lexus RX 400h - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By Haz - May 10 - 6:16 am

  Let me qualify that I traded a 2002 BMW M3 in on this vehicle, so the fun to drive rating for me was relative. I find the vehicle to be everything I was looking for as I needed the utility and cargo carrying capacity however I was unwilling to burn the amount of gasoline/pollutants for the 97% of the time I would not require same. Acceleration, comfort, ride quality... the LEAST amount of compromise for a vehicle segment that offers little choice.

• 

  Fun and Green, Too - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By Carol - May 5 - 4:13 pm

  This car has it all - incredible handling, luxurious appointments (there are literally no options on this model). The driving experience is flawless with excellent performance all around. If you want a hybrid that can match a BMW in response and feel, this is it. And getting 30 mph with super low emissions is the icing on the cake. Lexus has done everything right in this car. It is a pleasure to drive and own and Lexus customer service is truly an experience.

• 

  Does it worth $10K over the RX 330? - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By Les - April 10 - 4:36 am

  Disappointed with the interior of the dashboard and steering wheel--the RX 300 looks more impressive. The Navigation screen is hard to see during sunny days due to glare (at nights it is wonderful). Overall gas mileage for the first 1,000 miles is about 26mpg, even though we drove more in city thn on the highway. This figure is about 35% better than the RX 300, but not what Lexus claims.

• 

  RX 400h - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By xdentx - March 14 - 10:16 am

  Mileage after 6000 miles is about 24.5 overall. Less than I would have liked. Fab sound system and GPS. Handles much quicker and rides better than my old RX 300. Transmission a little too noisy upon hard acceleration. Would like more soundproofing overall. Still an excellent car.

• 

  Great car - 2007 Lexus RX 400H
  By Van Zee - March 14 - 12:20 am

  Especially for mountain driving this car is high performance. I like the low emission which helps the environment and increases the pleasure of driving this car.

• 

  Never again - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By Unhappylexusowner - March 2 - 1:54 pm

  Ive had many luxury vehicles, and this one by far has needed the most repairs, and had the wierdest, most difficult to diagnose problems of them all. My mercedes never had an issue, and routine maintenance was a pleasure with loaner car service. My grand cherokees have been somewhat maintenance prone, but dead on schedule and ultra-reliable. This thing? Im afraid to drive it anywhere. Theres a shudder in the front end that nobody seems to be able to fix, even after replacing brakes all around including calipers and rotors, cv axles, struts, bushings, and wheel bearings... the mileage is absolutely horrible, 23 at best. The gps is akward and outdated, and updates are definitely not worth the cost. There is no way to add an auxiliary input for audio from any other source, the back seat passengers can modify your gps entries from the rear seat entertainment system and you cannot stop them from doing so because you cant make that system stay off if they turn it back on. The car has horrible body roll in corners, worse than any other vehicle Ive driven in 40 years of driving. The button and control layout of vital things like defrost and cruise control are all unintuitive ly placed or are a reach to get to, forcing you to take your eyes off the road. I drive about 100k miles a year and this has been the worst. Ill never buy another lexus.

• 

  Love it! - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By Mrs. Rogers - February 25 - 11:33 am

  My husband and I wanted an SUV and the Lexus RX 400h was an obvious choice. It doesnt take premium fuel like comprable models which adds to the gas affordability of driving a hybrid. I previously drove a BMW 330xi and thought that the transition to an SUV would be remarkable, however the Lexus is built on a Camry frame, so I dont feel as though I am towering over other vehicles. The only obstacle we have experienced was that the cross bars are not stable enough for a bike rack, so those must be purchased and installed. Also, a towing hitch can only be optained as a post-factory dealer installation for around $7000. Consider your recreational requirements before purchase.

• 

  RX 400h - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By Kevin Scherer - February 18 - 2:40 pm

  The vehicle performs well is comfortable but the mileage is not near the numbers that Lexus indicates. We get about 22 miles per gallon overall (we have not checked highway verses city but drive city about 60% of the time). Also, they should provide the wood interior as an option as only the silver was available so we had to pay for wood trim to be added (Lexus installed an aftermarket wood kit).