Lexus RX 400h Hybrid Review - Revision history

PNiddy: /* External Links */

2006-11-13T22:42:23Z

External Links

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:42, 13 November 2006
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	* [http://www.lexus.com Official Lexus Website]		* [http://www.lexus.com Official Lexus Website]
	* [http://www.lexus.com/models/rx/index.html Official Lexus RX400h website]		* [http://www.lexus.com/models/rx/index.html Official Lexus RX400h website]

			[[Category: Model Reviews]]

Mckinneym: /* Interior and Comforts */

2006-07-13T15:58:00Z

Interior and Comforts

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:58, 13 July 2006
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	Rearward visibility is rather poor. The RX 400h benefits from having the optional navigation system and rear-view camera. The camera is automatically activated when the transmission is shifted into reverse. You can't drive backward by simply watching the screen, however. The system includes Bluetooth and voice activation. Downsides to this amount of integration is pressing two buttons to change the fan speed rather than one and a difficult to read trip odometer. Audio controls are at the bottom of the center console. The radio has big knobs for volume and tuning, that are easy to use. The Lexus premium audio is a 132-watt, eight-speaker system with AM/FM/cassette with six-disc in-dash CD changer. The optional Mark Levinson audio system features 11 speakers and 210 watts.		Rearward visibility is rather poor. The RX 400h benefits from having the optional navigation system and rear-view camera. The camera is automatically activated when the transmission is shifted into reverse. You can't drive backward by simply watching the screen, however. The system includes Bluetooth and voice activation. Downsides to this amount of integration is pressing two buttons to change the fan speed rather than one and a difficult to read trip odometer. Audio controls are at the bottom of the center console. The radio has big knobs for volume and tuning, that are easy to use. The Lexus premium audio is a 132-watt, eight-speaker system with AM/FM/cassette with six-disc in-dash CD changer. The optional Mark Levinson audio system features 11 speakers and 210 watts.

	The rear seats fold down, however they don’t fold down perfectly flat due to the battery packs. Once the rear seats are folded, there is 83.9 cubic feet of cargo space. This slightly surpasses most competitors, the [[BMW X5~~]], the [[Mercedes-Benz ML~~]] and the [[Infiniti FX]]. The RX 400h does not offer a third-row seating area.		The rear seats fold down, however they don’t fold down perfectly flat due to the battery packs. Once the rear seats are folded, there is 83.9 cubic feet of cargo space. This slightly surpasses most competitors, the [[BMW X5]] and the [[Infiniti FX]]. The RX 400h does not offer a third-row seating area.

	==Exterior==		==Exterior==

Mckinneym: /* Main Competitors */

2006-07-13T15:57:35Z

Main Competitors

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:57, 13 July 2006
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	* [[Infiniti FX\|Infiniti FX35]]/[[Infiniti FX\|FX45]]		* [[Infiniti FX\|Infiniti FX35]]/[[Infiniti FX\|FX45]]
	* [[Land Rover LR3]]		* [[Land Rover LR3]]
	* [[Mercedes-Benz ML350]]
	* [[Toyota Highlander Hybrid]]		* [[Toyota Highlander Hybrid]]
	* [[Volvo XC90]]		* [[Volvo XC90]]

Mckinneym: /* Interior and Comforts */

2006-07-13T15:56:58Z

Interior and Comforts

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:56, 13 July 2006
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	Rearward visibility is rather poor. The RX 400h benefits from having the optional navigation system and rear-view camera. The camera is automatically activated when the transmission is shifted into reverse. You can't drive backward by simply watching the screen, however. The system includes Bluetooth and voice activation. Downsides to this amount of integration is pressing two buttons to change the fan speed rather than one and a difficult to read trip odometer. Audio controls are at the bottom of the center console. The radio has big knobs for volume and tuning, that are easy to use. The Lexus premium audio is a 132-watt, eight-speaker system with AM/FM/cassette with six-disc in-dash CD changer. The optional Mark Levinson audio system features 11 speakers and 210 watts.		Rearward visibility is rather poor. The RX 400h benefits from having the optional navigation system and rear-view camera. The camera is automatically activated when the transmission is shifted into reverse. You can't drive backward by simply watching the screen, however. The system includes Bluetooth and voice activation. Downsides to this amount of integration is pressing two buttons to change the fan speed rather than one and a difficult to read trip odometer. Audio controls are at the bottom of the center console. The radio has big knobs for volume and tuning, that are easy to use. The Lexus premium audio is a 132-watt, eight-speaker system with AM/FM/cassette with six-disc in-dash CD changer. The optional Mark Levinson audio system features 11 speakers and 210 watts.

	The rear seats fold down, however they don’t fold down perfectly flat due to the battery packs. Once the rear seats are folded, there is 83.9 cubic feet of cargo space. This slightly surpasses most competitors, the [[BMW X5]], the [[Mercedes Benz ML]] and the [[Infiniti FX]]. The RX 400h does not offer a third-row seating area.		The rear seats fold down, however they don’t fold down perfectly flat due to the battery packs. Once the rear seats are folded, there is 83.9 cubic feet of cargo space. This slightly surpasses most competitors, the [[BMW X5]], the [[Mercedes-Benz ML]] and the [[Infiniti FX]]. The RX 400h does not offer a third-row seating area.

	==Exterior==		==Exterior==

Mckinneym: /* Interior and Comforts */

2006-07-13T15:56:47Z

Interior and Comforts

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:56, 13 July 2006
Line 129:		Line 129:
	Rearward visibility is rather poor. The RX 400h benefits from having the optional navigation system and rear-view camera. The camera is automatically activated when the transmission is shifted into reverse. You can't drive backward by simply watching the screen, however. The system includes Bluetooth and voice activation. Downsides to this amount of integration is pressing two buttons to change the fan speed rather than one and a difficult to read trip odometer. Audio controls are at the bottom of the center console. The radio has big knobs for volume and tuning, that are easy to use. The Lexus premium audio is a 132-watt, eight-speaker system with AM/FM/cassette with six-disc in-dash CD changer. The optional Mark Levinson audio system features 11 speakers and 210 watts.		Rearward visibility is rather poor. The RX 400h benefits from having the optional navigation system and rear-view camera. The camera is automatically activated when the transmission is shifted into reverse. You can't drive backward by simply watching the screen, however. The system includes Bluetooth and voice activation. Downsides to this amount of integration is pressing two buttons to change the fan speed rather than one and a difficult to read trip odometer. Audio controls are at the bottom of the center console. The radio has big knobs for volume and tuning, that are easy to use. The Lexus premium audio is a 132-watt, eight-speaker system with AM/FM/cassette with six-disc in-dash CD changer. The optional Mark Levinson audio system features 11 speakers and 210 watts.

	The rear seats fold down, however they don’t fold down perfectly flat due to the battery packs. Once the rear seats are folded, there is 83.9 cubic feet of cargo space. This slightly surpasses most competitors, the [[BMW X5]], the [[Mercedes-Benz ML]] and the [[Infiniti FX]]. The RX 400h does not offer a third-row seating area.		The rear seats fold down, however they don’t fold down perfectly flat due to the battery packs. Once the rear seats are folded, there is 83.9 cubic feet of cargo space. This slightly surpasses most competitors, the [[BMW X5]], the [[Mercedes Benz ML]] and the [[Infiniti FX]]. The RX 400h does not offer a third-row seating area.

	==Exterior==		==Exterior==

Mckinneym: /* Interior and Comforts */

2006-07-13T15:56:24Z

Interior and Comforts

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:56, 13 July 2006
Line 129:		Line 129:
	Rearward visibility is rather poor. The RX 400h benefits from having the optional navigation system and rear-view camera. The camera is automatically activated when the transmission is shifted into reverse. You can't drive backward by simply watching the screen, however. The system includes Bluetooth and voice activation. Downsides to this amount of integration is pressing two buttons to change the fan speed rather than one and a difficult to read trip odometer. Audio controls are at the bottom of the center console. The radio has big knobs for volume and tuning, that are easy to use. The Lexus premium audio is a 132-watt, eight-speaker system with AM/FM/cassette with six-disc in-dash CD changer. The optional Mark Levinson audio system features 11 speakers and 210 watts.		Rearward visibility is rather poor. The RX 400h benefits from having the optional navigation system and rear-view camera. The camera is automatically activated when the transmission is shifted into reverse. You can't drive backward by simply watching the screen, however. The system includes Bluetooth and voice activation. Downsides to this amount of integration is pressing two buttons to change the fan speed rather than one and a difficult to read trip odometer. Audio controls are at the bottom of the center console. The radio has big knobs for volume and tuning, that are easy to use. The Lexus premium audio is a 132-watt, eight-speaker system with AM/FM/cassette with six-disc in-dash CD changer. The optional Mark Levinson audio system features 11 speakers and 210 watts.

	The rear seats fold down, however they don’t fold down perfectly flat due to the battery packs. Once the rear seats are folded, there is 83.9 cubic feet of cargo space. This slightly surpasses most competitors, the [[BMW X5]], the [[Mercedes-Benz ~~ML350~~]] and the [[Infiniti FX]]. The RX 400h does not offer a third-row seating area.		The rear seats fold down, however they don’t fold down perfectly flat due to the battery packs. Once the rear seats are folded, there is 83.9 cubic feet of cargo space. This slightly surpasses most competitors, the [[BMW X5]], the [[Mercedes-Benz ML]] and the [[Infiniti FX]]. The RX 400h does not offer a third-row seating area.

	==Exterior==		==Exterior==

Mckinneym: /* Main Competitors */

2006-07-13T15:45:28Z

Main Competitors

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:45, 13 July 2006
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	* [[Infiniti FX\|Infiniti FX35]]/[[Infiniti FX\|FX45]]		* [[Infiniti FX\|Infiniti FX35]]/[[Infiniti FX\|FX45]]
	* [[Land Rover LR3]]		* [[Land Rover LR3]]
	* [[Mercedes Benz ML350]]		* [[Mercedes-Benz ML350]]
	* [[Toyota ~~Hylander~~ Hybrid]]		* [[Toyota Highlander Hybrid]]
	* [[Volvo XC90]]		* [[Volvo XC90]]

Mckinneym: /* Exterior */

2006-07-13T15:45:07Z

Exterior

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:45, 13 July 2006
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	==Exterior==		==Exterior==
	Subtle styling differences which separate the RX 400h from its siblings include; a new front bumper for increased cooling, a new grille, new fog lamps and new tail lamps with LEDs instead of traditional incandescent bulbs. In addition, Lexus has supplemented the RX 400h with specific 18-inch wheels. The wheels are 7 inches wide and the tires are designed to provide grip in corners rather than offer low levels of rolling resistance. This says a lot about the intent of the RX 400h. [[Lexus]] could have gone the other way and improved fuel efficiency further with hard [[~~low rolling resistance tires~~]], but chose to enhance handling instead.		Subtle styling differences which separate the RX 400h from its siblings include; a new front bumper for increased cooling, a new grille, new fog lamps and new tail lamps with LEDs instead of traditional incandescent bulbs. In addition, Lexus has supplemented the RX 400h with specific 18-inch wheels. The wheels are 7 inches wide and the tires are designed to provide grip in corners rather than offer low levels of rolling resistance. This says a lot about the intent of the RX 400h. [[Lexus]] could have gone the other way and improved fuel efficiency further with hard [[Low Rolling Resistance Tires]], but chose to enhance handling instead.

	The body design resembles something unoffensive more so than something attractive. It fails to meet the efforts of its non-hybrid rivals [[Volvo XC90]] and [[Land Rover LR3]].		The body design resembles something unoffensive more so than something attractive. It fails to meet the efforts of its non-hybrid rivals [[Volvo XC90]] and [[Land Rover LR3]].

Mckinneym at 15:43, 13 July 2006

2006-07-13T15:43:37Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:43, 13 July 2006
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	[[Image:rx400hside.jpg\|right\|300px]]		[[Image:rx400hside.jpg\|right\|300px]]
	[[Image:harrierhybridII.jpg\|right\|300px]]		[[Image:harrierhybridII.jpg\|right\|300px]]
	Currently, [[Lexus]] is using the fourth generation of [[Hybrid Synergy Drive]] from [[Toyota]]. The [[Lexus RX 400h]], [[Lexus ES 350]], [[Toyota Camry]], and [[Toyota Highlander]] are all built on the same platform with slight modifications between the [[~~sedans~~]] and the [[SUV]]s.		Currently, [[Lexus]] is using the fourth generation of [[Hybrid Synergy Drive]] from [[Toyota]]. The [[Lexus RX 400h]], [[Lexus ES 350]], [[Toyota Camry]], and [[Toyota Highlander]] are all built on the same platform with slight modifications between the [[sedan]]s and the [[SUV]]s.

	The gasoline-powered part of the engine system is a 3.3L 3MZ-FE [[V6]], very similar to the one found in the [[Lexus RX\|RX 330]]. It produces 268 [[HP]] when aided by the two additional electric motors. Under normal driving conditions, only the front motor and gasoline engine will be used. The rear motor will only be used under full-throttle acceleration or when the front wheels lose traction (if so equipped). The gasoline engine will switch off automatically when the vehicle is either stationary, decelerating, or being driven at a slow speed and the electric motor will take over. A Ni-MH battery is responsible for powering the motors, and it is charged during deceleration and from the heat energy caused from braking.		The gasoline-powered part of the engine system is a 3.3L 3MZ-FE [[V6]], very similar to the one found in the [[Lexus RX\|RX 330]]. It produces 268 [[HP]] when aided by the two additional electric motors. Under normal driving conditions, only the front motor and gasoline engine will be used. The rear motor will only be used under full-throttle acceleration or when the front wheels lose traction (if so equipped). The gasoline engine will switch off automatically when the vehicle is either stationary, decelerating, or being driven at a slow speed and the electric motor will take over. A Ni-MH battery is responsible for powering the motors, and it is charged during deceleration and from the heat energy caused from braking.

Mckinneym: /* Performance and Handling */

2006-07-08T22:18:39Z

Performance and Handling

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:18, 8 July 2006
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	The assistance of the electric motor increases the vehicle's performance, the RX 400h [[Hybrid Cars\|Hybrid]] can reach 60 mph (97km/h) in less than 8 seconds which is quicker than the normally aspirated RX 330. Despite the increased performance, the RX 400h consumes roughly the same amount of fuel as a compact four-cylinder [[sedan]] and it qualifies as a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle ([[Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle\|SULEV]]) in America.		The assistance of the electric motor increases the vehicle's performance, the RX 400h [[Hybrid Cars\|Hybrid]] can reach 60 mph (97km/h) in less than 8 seconds which is quicker than the normally aspirated RX 330. Despite the increased performance, the RX 400h consumes roughly the same amount of fuel as a compact four-cylinder [[sedan]] and it qualifies as a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle ([[Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle\|SULEV]]) in America.

	The great downfall of all the power offered up in the RX 400h, is that the suspension stuggles to find the balance of "supple yet sporting" this [[Hybrid]] strives to acheive. Reducing radius turns and ~~undulations on~~ roads with higher speed limits bring this [[SUV]] to its knees.		The great downfall of all the power offered up in the RX 400h, is that the suspension stuggles to find the balance of "supple yet sporting" this [[Hybrid]] strives to acheive. Reducing radius turns and older roads with higher speed limits bring this [[crossover SUV]] to its knees.

	==Gas Mileage==		==Gas Mileage==