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:
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New car - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
By stanton bizzell - April 8 - 2:26 pmGreat driving vehicle, with fantastic gas mileage. Seating could be softer and more comfortable. Otherwise love it!
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Big Ticket Repairs - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
By michele55 - March 12 - 10:47 amLast year while far from home my RX400h stopped dead on the highway. After having it towed 145 miles and losing 3 days of vacation, Lexus replaced the computer to the hybrid system. The car was under warranty so other than a LOT of hassle, it only cost me $150 not $10,000+. Two weeks ago, I was driving in town and my car died again. Luckily I was able to get the car over to the side of the road--all the systems died. After about a week of trying to figure out what was wrong, Lexus determined it was the inverter and gratefully, even though out of warranty, the dealership replaced the part ($10K+) for free (98K miles on my Rx). My gas mileage has never been much more than 24-25mpg.
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Changing from an RX 330 - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
By Kane Bieri - March 2 - 5:40 pmthe difference is remarkable. better performance, excellent response, and the rest is the same.
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Safety - 2008 Lexus RX 400H
By strokedoc - January 27 - 8:30 amMy wife and 18 month old were just in a severe accident an run off the road into a telephone pole that completely crushed the car. My wife and baby left with only a slight bump on her head. We are going to get another one immediately. Safety is everything.
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Absolutely love it! - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
By karen kline - January 23 - 9:36 amWe purchased our hybrid on 5/2/05 (ordered it last May). We absolutely love it. The interior is very modern - at first wasnt sure if I would like it - but I love it now. We also have 2 tvs for the kids - one on each headrest. We have navigation in our other Lexus so we had to have it again (it was actually a standard). There is a button on the steering wheel for voice operation - it does everything you ask it to - its a lot of fun. I mainly do all highway driving and average 25 mpg (great for a SUV)
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Fuel Economy - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
By mer - January 21 - 5:20 pmPicked up my RX 400h about 3 weeks ago and I am very pleased. Overall gas mileage is 27 mpg for the first 844 miles. My usage is about 50% highway and 50% in town driving. Lowest mileage was 25.8 and highest was 29.7. The car is extremely quiet and comfortable. Build quality is excellent and the interior design very good. It has exceeded my expectations.
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The Worlds First Luxury Hybrid SUV - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
By Simon Sioni - December 31 - 9:20 amThe RX 400h boasts all the advantages of a hybrid gas-electric vehicle: Emissions are extremely low, reducing your impact on the environment. And it burns about as much gas as a compact car, helping to reduce Americas dependence on foreign oil. But its fast. Stomp on the gas and the RX 400h jumps off the line significantly quicker than the regular RX 330. It can go head-to-head with a V8-powered Mercedes ML500. The RX 400h was not designed for serious off-road use. The regular RX 330 isnt exactly an off-road vehicle, either, but it handles gravel roads just fine.
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Lovin it! - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
By Jaci - December 28 - 5:53 amI love everything about this car. I cant believe how responsive it is. Passes like a dream on the mountain roads across the Sierra Nevada. I am getting better gas mileage than I did in my RX 330. Everything about this car is better than its predecessor the RX 330. I would buy this car again in a heartbeat.
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28 MPG combined on a recent road trip - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
By Truman - December 1 - 8:45 pmUnlike some critics of the hybrid RX, I am getting excellent mpg without driving like a grandma. A recent 300-mile road trip to the Antelope Valley Poppy Preserve averaged 28 mpg on the mountainous roads of the Angeles National Forest. My normal everyday driving has never seen below 26mpg combined, and during open highway cruising I average 31mpg -- thats amazing for a heavy crossover! The key is -- regular maintenance, tire pressure 34-36psi, keep to 60-65mph on the highway and 40-42 on the streets. A very comfortable road trip car! I like the RX because it sits higher than most crossovers and lower than SUVs, you still step *up* onto your seat like a SUV but its must more fuel-efficient. While it doesnt get the 50mpg of my old Prius, its much more comfortable and feels safer due to the higher seating position. Gas prices in CA are going up again so I am very happy with my purchase. Besides mpg, the electric hybrid motor makes car accelerate like a V8 and feels much faster than regular RX. The only con is lots of body roll in cornering due to the heavy battery, so tread gingerly in the twisties!
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RX400h - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
By Ken - November 24 - 12:26 amJust received our RX400h - delighted with the improvements over the 2004 330x we had - much better acceleration, much tighter transmission. Electric takes a little getting used - especially when backing out of a parking spot as pedestrians are alarmed. Electric brakes are a little touchy. We are getting an overall 24.3 mpg on regular 60/40 city/highway and have 650 miles on the car. Gas engine seems to run much more than we expected and electic supplements gas when above 50 mph more than we were led to expect. Overall we are delighted with this vehicle. Exceptional quality inside and out.
