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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  Satisfied customer - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By patrick mackenna - July 12 - 10:26 pm

  From the test drive to my 1st 400 miles its been a pleasure to drive. My hazardous experience, a driving rainstorm, left me feeling safe and comfortable. The suv held the road and the windshield wipers reacting to the amount of rain made the ride fun.

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  After 7,200 miles, the good and the bad - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By ghager - June 28 - 1:00 am

  Mileage is disappointing; I get 22-24. Nice looking wheels, but watch out at the curb - too easy to ding. Visibility a problem front and rear. Bluetooth sub-par; friends complain they can barely hear me. GPS interface very user unfriendly at first. A matter of taste, but the exterior is odd looking. Voice command is flukey; I crack up my niece by telling it to do something and getting a bizarre response. I dont feel confident throwing it around corners. All this said, I like it - good, quiet, solid ride. Acceleration quite strong when needed. Dont think Ill get another, though.

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  Hybrid Delivers Luxury and..... - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By Carol - June 2 - 6:00 am

  I was extremely successful in getting car within week of release without being on wait list. Car is amazing -- delivers 268 horses on demand but hybrid system is flawless. Two electric motors in addition to the 3.3L V6 work seamlessly. I LOVE THIS CAR! This is the first time I have ever owned a Lexus and it wont be the last...but I wont be giving this car up for a LONG TIME. Buying experience was as amazing as the car. A lot to learn about the navigation system and the technology of the automobile, but so worth it.

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  Great Hybrid SUV - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By faichu - May 28 - 3:40 am

  So far, Im very happy with the car. Its got about 1300 miles on it (mix of city and highway), and is averaging 26 mpg (in real life). Not quite the 31/27 reported by Lexus, but nevertheless pretty good when it comes to SUVs. My wifess GX only gets around 14 or 15. I have noticed that having the AC on during a hot day will tend to decrease the mpg. The car has all the nifty gadgets that you could want. The navigation is particulary nice, although it may be wrong on occassion. I would have liked a wood trim option instead of the aluminum trim (wood is nicer on the steering wheel). The automated engine start/stop takes a little getting used to, especially during hard acceleration.

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  Mixed review - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By erin - April 25 - 11:53 am

  Great deal of comfort smooth quite ride with fuel approx. 28 mpg. Lower mpg on highway. Largest complaint Tires wear out at a much greater rate than any car I have previously owned. Checked alignment etc. to no avail a constant issue. Also have had two batteries!

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  Quiz dealer about concerns BEFORE buying - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By newowner - April 9 - 3:03 pm

  Traded in BMW X5 for the Lexus. Handles well; front seats less comfortable than BMW. Nice nav system. Rear blind spot not helped by camera which has distortion. When I picked up car, alesman told me "just learned" I should use premium gas - and not to expect decent mileage until at least 5,000 miles. Rear seats recline (slightly) - nice feature, but reduces already small cargo space. No light in small glove compartment and no logical place for loose change. Sound system much better than BMW. Very quiet drive and excellent acceleration. No wood makes car stark.

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  This is My ultimate SUV - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By jayt - March 6 - 8:16 pm

  Ive only had this car for about 3 weeks. After owning several domestic SUVs and cars this lexus is my ultimate SUV. Its really comfortable to drive on long trips. It handles well. Very quiet cabin. Excellent interior quality. Great mileage for a vehicle this size 28 highway and 35 city. The engine is a bit whiney when accelerating hard (Im used to a v8).

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  hybrid - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By bcm1112 - March 1 - 3:33 am

  this hybrid drives very nice, but the actual fuel mileage isnt what the sticker says prior to purchasing.

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  Almost perfect - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By Ron O - February 6 - 1:06 pm

  I had the RX 330 previously and was very pleasantly surprised that the H was substantially better. Much faster, and as expected the mileage was 40% better. One of the best cars of its type Ive owned. I only have 3500 miles on it at this time. Time will tell if it can maintain the high esteem I have for it now

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  Completely Different Than An RX 330 - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By pigsfly - February 5 - 6:53 am

  I purchased my 400h in June of 2006. Previously owned a 2000 RX 300 and 2004 RX 330. Ive driven the car about 3000 miles and find it to be a completely different car than the previous Lexus models Ive owned. So far, getting about 30 mpg with a mix of city/highway driving (my RX 330 got about 21-23 mpg). I live in the mountains and drive up steep grades and around sharp curves and love the handling and performance. Achieving peak mileage in a hybrid requires some adjustments in driving technique, but this doesnt mean slow driving! Fit/finish are better than on the RX 330. I like the navigation system, but it took a bit of time for me to figure out how to work the A/C and airflow.