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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  Not the advertised MPG! - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By jeneaneball - February 19 - 11:40 pm

  The only reason I purchsed the 400h was because of the so called "great gas mileage." A joke at best. I live in Texas, it cant get any flatter, I am a very conservative driver and my MPG is at 21.2. I guess the only way to get the 29-33 mpg they claim is to drive under 40 mph, never run the air conditioner and live where the air temperature is always in the 70s.

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  Actual gas mileage = false advertising - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By phsandiego - February 17 - 1:32 pm

  Our gas mileage has never been as advertised. We bought our RX400h with 8000 miles on it in Sept 2006. It was 1 yr old, the prior owner traded it in fast and took a $20k loss on the trade in. We have always averaged 26.2 mpg in a mix of city/hiway driving. We had the hybid inverter module replaced in Feb 2012. $10k+ repair! Our gas mileage then plummeted from 26.2 to 23.4 mpg. We suspect that Lexus reprogrammed the engine management computer to use the gas engine more and the hybrid less so as to extend the life of the batteries and inverter. This way, they wont have to make so many expensive warranty repairs. Please let us know if you saw the same thing with your mileage.

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  Great Car - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By BMT - February 13 - 10:26 am

  Great car. I previously owned an 04 RX330 and although it was a very good car, 400h is even better. Great performance combined with excellent fuel economy.

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  Problem not addressed - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By drives1 - December 26 - 5:40 pm

  I have one of the very first RX40hs off the line. I waited a year an a half on a waiting list to ensure I got the first one to arrive. Unfortunately, I think I have a lemon. The car pulls to one side and after a year and a half and 25,000 miles it cannot be fixed. Tires were bald at 15,000 miles, and the dealer replaced all four gratis (which was nice of them). The dealer has been good. But Lexus corporate has pretty much ignored me and does not call when they say they will, if at all. I am extremely disappointed. Lexus customer care does not care, it seems. All they do is send surveys, but it seems they never read them.

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  Awesome! - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By Josh F. - December 5 - 2:40 pm

  I waited a long time for this car, and am happy to say it was worth the wait. With a family to lug around, I needed to upgrade to an SUV from the sedan I was driving, but didnt want a gas guzzler. This offered the perfect solution to my problem, and had the additional benefit of being a Lexus that is quite luxurious and offers superior performance.

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  Near Best of Both Worlds - 2007 Lexus RX 400H
  By Stan - December 4 - 5:43 am

  Best of both worlds in that my RX has the torque to move briskly as well as a return of decent fuel mileage when driven conservatively. And its a ULEV. Navigation is cumbersome and simplistically inflexible. Nav voice command search returns nearest X and you either take it or stop to search the database thru layers of menu options, or find it on your own. Wind noise that I didnt expect in a Lexus. CVT is smooth. Interior nicely appointed, flawlessly assembled inside and out. Smooth quiet IC engine. ICE runs efficiently at highway speeds and had no problems going over mountain passes thru Idaho and Montana. Overall, a very well put together vehicle that I am glad I jumped into.

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  RX 400h Review - Great Car - 2008 Lexus RX 400H
  By jimr - November 28 - 1:00 am

  Very happy with this car after 2500 miles. Fast, responsive, luxurious interior, great build quality, very comfortable. Great mileage if you learn to drive it properly. So far getting 29.5 mpg in town, 27 mpg on highway/freeways. I pulled my 2500 lb boat for 700 miles on the freeway with no problem and still got 20 mpg. Seamless transition between gas and electric. Plenty of fun gadgets.

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  Go Green in Style - 2007 Lexus RX 400H
  By arcee - November 24 - 2:40 pm

  Beautiful build quality, exceptional features. I am a sports car owner/driver, and I find it interesting that this car has made me change my driving habits as I strive to maximize my efficiency. If you want maximimum mpg performance this is a must, and it leads to safer driving habits on the road also. Having said that, it will get up and go if you romp on it. Typical Lexus luxury. Also, ignore recomendation for premium gas, 89 octane works just fine with no appreciable loss in performance or mpg.

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  Truly Awesome - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By dhwlaw - November 20 - 8:56 pm

  This is a great car, inside and out. Its unbelievably quick at all speeds, incredibly smooth and quiet. I love this car.

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  Novice - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By Dave - October 15 - 12:26 pm

  Its a great car to drive. Its comfortable and smooth to drive. The only problem I have is the mileage/gallon is not what I expected. It falls way short of what was advertised.