2006 Lexus RX 400h Review

Hybrid gasoline-electric vehicles are a tiny part of the auto-truck market, but are becoming increasingly popular. That partly shows the influence of higher fuel prices and publicity generated by celebrities who've bought a hybrid because it's the latest trendy vehicle.

There are only about half a dozen gasoline-electric hybrids now sold, but the hybrid fleet is projected to climb to 50 models and more than a million sales by 2010, with even Porsche offering such a model.

Leave it to Toyota's upscale Lexus brand to show with its RX 400h sport-utility vehicle that hybrid gas-electric vehicles can be posh, fast and relatively fuel-stingy.

The 400h, which comes only with all-wheel drive, is the first gas-electric hybrid luxury vehicle and is based on the top-selling Lexus model -- the RX 330 SUV, which comes with front- or all-wheel drive.

Lexus, which sold 105,531 RX 330 models last year, expects to sell 28,000 400h models annually, although that might be a conservative estimate.

At $48,535, the all-wheel-drive 400h is about 10 grand more expensive than the $37,425 all-wheel-drive RX 330, and don't look for dealer discounts because the 400h has waiting lists. But Lexus notes that the 400h has "about $6,000 worth of extra equipment'' not put on the base RX 330. And the vehicle qualifies for a clean-burning fuel tax deduction of as much as $2,000 this year.

The 400h is loaded with so many comfort, convenience and safety items that only a few accessories, such as $540 heated seats and a $1,200 DVD entertainment system, are offered.

Also, the hybrid version is faster than its gasoline cousin because it has 268 horsepower, against 230 for the RX 330.

Automakers are marketing hybrids as well-equipped upscale hot rods. That allows them to be sold as top-line models with high-profit accessories, which gives them higher prices than modestly equipped entry models. And that strategy lets their producers recover the high costs of hybrid equipment more quickly.

The 400h delivers an EPA-estimated 31 mpg in the city and 27 on highways, compared with an estimated 18 and 24 for the all-wheel-drive RX 330. (A front-drive RX 330 gets 19 and 25.) Based on gasoline prices, it can take years to recoup the extra money paid for a hybrid.

Conversely, hybrids require fewer stops at gas pumps and deliver higher fuel economy than comparably sized regular cars or trucks. However, studies show that hybrids don't provide the widely used, estimated EPA government fuel economy figures in "real world'' driving. (The same can be said for conventional vehicles.)

Some people hear the word "electric'' and assume you must plug in a gas-electric hybrid to charge batteries, but no plug-in is needed.

The 400h powertrain combines two powerful electric motors with a 3.3-liter V-6 found in the RX 330 to provide better acceleration, besides the improved fuel economy and lower emissions. There's also a third electric motor that starts the vehicle and serves as a generator.

When the 400h is braking or coasting, the two electric motors that drive the wheels also function as a generator to provide electricity to recharge the batteries.

The hybrid system can operate in separate gas or electric modes, as well as a mode that combines power from both. The computer-controlled powertrain seamlessly blends power from the V6 engine, electric drive motors and generator.

The electric motors are only needed during most city driving. The gas engine kicks in at higher speeds on, say, highways, with a boost from the motors for added punch during acceleration.

A driver doesn't feel the 400h changing operation modes, although there is a faint whine from the electric motor-generator units when slowing down at lower speeds -- as if from an electric golf cart.

The system is hooked to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), which has no specific gear changes and thus makes the 400h drive even more smoothly.

The first gas-electric hybrids had lazy acceleration above 55 mph. Not so with the 400h, which provides V-8 gusto. It was still accelerating hard at 80 mph, when traffic ahead forced me to slow down, and it picked up speed with seemingly little effort. It will do 0-60 mph in 7.2 seconds, which is slightly faster than the RX 330 despite the hybrid's extra weight.

The rather soft ride of the 400h tips you off that this is no sports SUV. But its sport-suspension tuning and 18-inch tires help provide good handling. The quick steering is somewhat heavy, but not objectionably so, and stopping distances are short, with good brake pedal feel. A new-generation vehicle stability control system helps prevent skids or slides.

There's good room for four tall adults in the quiet, upscale interior, with supportive front bucket seats and fore-aft adjustment of the rear seat for extra leg or cargo room. The backlit gauges are easily read in sunlight, but audio and temperature system controls are somewhat complicated. Rear driver vision is impeded by thick roof pillars.

The front console contains two nicely placed cupholders and a deep bin with a cover that opens in two sections. Front door pockets with a pull-out side feature for easier access are something you might expect in a private airplane. Rear power windows lower all the way, but it's almost impossible to stop the front power windows after they're put in up or down modes.

The cargo opening is rather high, but is wide and spacious. Rear seats flip forward and fold flat to enlarge cargo capacity. Attention to detail is shown by indented areas on the hatch interior that let it be closed without getting hands dirty on outside metal.

The RX 400h is a nice piece of work. Some might feel the nicest thing about this Lexus is that it can be driven like a conventional gasoline model, despite its complicated propulsion system.

2006 LEXUS RX 400H

PRICE
$48,535

LIKES
Good fuel economy. Fast. Roomy. Nice ride and handling. Well-equipped.

DISLIKES
Costly. Complex drive system. Don't look for price cuts.