RX400h

Maybe that's a good thing - our 400's value goes up!

The Toyota collision center quoted us $1100 vs. $669 from the Mercedes collision center. The main difference is that the Mercedes center doesn't think we need a new fog light. I tend to agree, but I'll let the claims adjuster discuss that with the Toyota guy who gave us the quote. In the meantime, the owner of the truck that hit us is claiming that somehow it was my fault!

Full synthetic may be changed over to petroleum-based at any time.

Our dealership did this service for us before we picked up our RX. Shame on your dealership for not doing this in a state in which it is required.

There are two versions of Lojack. The cheaper ($600-$700) requires that you notify the police before it can be activated and tracked. The second, at $900-$1000 senses when the vehicle is moved without the ignition key being in the vicinity and is automatically activated immediately. There is also another tracking device that allows you to not only track your vehicle online, but you can also disable your vehicle after it is shut down (can't be started again). This device is about $1000.

That's nothing - I had to replace my Corvette's rear tires at 16,000 miles. I also replaced the fronts, all four for a cool $1100. High performance tires don't wear well, but the DO stick well and that's the tradeoff that most high-end vehicle owners must accept to some degree.

When the dealer does the FREE 5,000 mile service, what oil will they use?? Toyota sythetic?? Toyota dino?? Who knows?? Bring your own synthetic, e.g. Mobil 1?? ← I will make sure that they use only what is recommended in the owner's manual. I doubt that Toyota would think kindly of any dealership that violates the Toyota's own requirements, especially those relating to potential warranty issues. BTW, I posted a warning to RX300 owners that they should use synthetic oil to prevent sludge buildup in their engines. However, as far as I know, this has not been an issue in RX330s (with essentially the same engine as is in our 400hs). I haven't decided on the oil I will use when I change it myself. (probably at around 10,000 miles - we'll see).

Our Bamboo Pearl's Goodyears provide an excellent ride as well. In fact, my Corvette runs Goodyear GSD3 tires and I am very happy with the ride and handling they provide.

According to the latest issue of Consumer Reports, owners of vehicles with sludge-prone engines should use American Petroleum Institute-approved synthetic oil. "Synthetics have a higher tolerance for extreme heat and flow better in cold temperatures. Changing oil on the extreme use schedule (and saving the records) provides evidence that you tried to protect the engine from sludge. Used car buyers considering those vehicles should locate one with complete maitenance records."

My dealer will change the oil for the first time free of charge at 5000 miles. Many years ago, it was common practice to change oil after 500 miles, but that practice is not necessary anymore unless the local garage rebuilds your engine (not recommended).

Wow! That's even higher than the pressure in my RX400! It was two months by the time I checked, so it is possible that it was up in the 40s from the dealership. I think you'll notice a much smoother ride now that the pressure is back to normal.

Congratulations! Although I have not reset our consumption readout yet, we are averaging 25.2 under all conditions - bumper-to-bumper traffic to 90 MPH freeway blasts. BTW, the EPA figure is 31/27, not 27/31. Still, we are more than happy with the mileage and power. The feeling on the highway is that of neverending power!

I called three Lexus dealerships to ask who they recommended to fix body damage. One uses the local Chevy dealership body shop, another, a nearby Mercedes body shop, and the third, a brand new Toyota collision center. When we stopped by the Toyota center, there was an identical Bamboo Pearl RX400h sitting in the shop bay. It still had dealers plates, a tow hitch and a scrape in its rear bumper. Unfortunately, the soonest we they can take our Rx in is in two weeks. Regarding tire pressure, could it be that the dealership wants its customers to achieve higher-than-normal gas milage by cranking up the tire pressure? The ride did improve noticably after I lowered the pressure. Yes, it could've been far worse; on the way back, some guy almost plowed into us on the highway as he was crossing lanes without looking. I had to slam on the brakes harder than I ever have - scary! The funniest one was at a gas station in Solvang. A guy was talking to the attendant and when the attendant pointed to our vehicle, the guy who had his back turned to us jumped as he turned his head to see this large vehicle heading toward him.

Well. we learned a bunch of things after taking a trip up the coast of California these past four days. First off, I decided to check tire pressure as part of some customary pre-trip safety checks. Lo and behold, every tire's pressure was up around 38 psi! Apparently, the dealership (or factory) had cranked up the pressure well beyond what is recommended by the factory (32 psi). Here I was for the last two months wondering why the ride was about the same as that of my Corvette! If I hadn't checked, I would probably be complaining of short tire life in the near future! Note to forum members: Check your tire pressure! Anyway, on the way out of Solvang and over to the famous Hearst Castle, we actually saw a white RX400h. When it passed us, the passenger waved and we exchanged thumbs-up. The RX400h greeting exchange lives! After driving hundreds and hundreds of miles, I noticed that tthree things stand out: 1) Dang, this thing has huge reserves of passing power. Jeep Cherokie owners appeared shocked when their attempt to rocket by me was met with a weird roar from the electric motors, followed by neck-snapping acceleration, propelling the RX past them as if they were in mere econocars. 2) The drivers seat could use more lower back and lateral support. (Hey, I'm used to a seat that is nearly perfect ergonomically) 3) I can't help laughing every time the RX startles a bystander who just cannot perceive a moving SUV that makes no sound at all! I find myself searching for groupes of people to shock (Am I getting mean or what?). Sadly, the trip home included an unfortunate event. While waiting for my turn to fuel up at a gas station near Bakersfield, some guy in a pickup decided that he was going to squirt his vehicle backwards out of a stall without fully accessing the number of vehicles waiting in back of him. I noticed that his path suddenly changed from straight-back to coming at my RX. I quickly went to place the gear selector into reverse, but it was too late. He plowed into my front right bumper. ($1000 worth of damage). He promptly went on to ask me why I didn't get out of his way! I was pretty upset, to say the least. If we overlook the last part of the trip, I'd have to say that I came away very impressed with the Rx and happy to have seen so many beautiful sights. Now where's that dent-straightening sledge hammer..........

It certainly does take getting used-to and I do find myself releasing the gas pedal more often I would in a non-hybrid vehicle. Then again, the way my Mazda's auto tranny is set up from the factory, acceleration is very brisk at normal pedal travel from a standstill than it is under similar conditions in most other auto tranny vehicles. Each vehicle has its own idiosyncrises that require slight driving style adjustments.

Lexus(Toyota) mentioned many times that the primary reason for the delay of first shipments of the 400hs would be due to insuring ample supplies so that a repeat of the Prius fiasco did not happen. I had a feeling that there would be plenty to go around after the first couple of months. Unlike the intro of other vehicles, though, pricing is not changing with the number of vehicles on the lot. This makes it a bit more comforting to know that the reward of getting one of the first after such a long wait did NOT give way to the heartbreak of seeing invoice+ pricing given to buyers a short time later.

Great article - thanks!

I believe the 0-60 MPH difference is 1.5 seconds, so if you don't accelerate aggressively, you may not be able to tell. Although I have never driven an RX before buying our 400h, I am very impressed with its power. Typically, pressing the gas pedal only an inch or so produces plenty of power. However, one of these days I'd like to line up with an X5 and do a 4-wheel burnout - just to show the guy what 650 lbs-ft of torque can do!

You wouldn't believe what new Corvette owners do or have done to their cars - superchargers, heads/cam/nitrous, etc, etc, shortly after driving it home. I've been a bit more conservative - intake system, exhaust, and shifter, but none of these affects my warranty. However, to do internal mods you must have two things: Confidence in your decisions and extra money in case something goes wrong! That being said, I must also mention that the hybrid Honda Accord with cylinder deactivation averages 25-27 MPG, which is the same as our RX400h's mileage. Consider the difference in vehicle weight and you'll appreciate what Toyota/Lexus has done.

I have noticed this too on occasion, mostly while going down an incline. It does almost feel as if there is sudden acceleration. However, it happens so infrequently that I haven't worried about it too much.

Dave, No, we didn't cash out any stock options, just avoided fancy restaurants and expensive vacations for a year! If the 400h you saw was Bamboo Pearl, it may have been. Typically, though, it is a bit North-East of there. I have seen one other 400h thus far - a Black one on route 56 at the 15 interchange.

This color is amazing - three weeks without washing the 400h and it still looks as if it were washed yesterday! This color hides dirt like a brown carpet! Has anyone found this to be true of other colors, like Savannah metallic?

The electric motors assist the engine on a regular basis, so less "gas pedal" is needed at almost all times. This is where the increased economy comes in, not primarily from the vehicle being self-powered by the electric motors alone. Check the EPA ratings of both vehicles and you'll see that the city rating for the 400h is significantly higher. What this tells you is that if you can beat the EPA numbers by treating the quest for greater economy in the 330 as a scientific experiment, the same general improvements may be accomplished by "adjusting" driving habits in the RX400h. The other gas-saver while driving the 400h is when negitiating heavy stop&go traffic. The 400h fuel milage skyrockets under these conditions, whereas the RX330's plummets. This is why I recommend the 400h or Highlander hybrid to anyone living in a big city. Another thing that simply can't be compared is the power difference. Having a tall vehicle does NOT necessarily mean that effortless power can not be appreciated. Driving the RX400h is not unlike driving a 400HP BMW M5 in that acceleration is effortless - kinda like working out in a gym consistently: You may not use your added strength every day, but boy, when you do need to, it really feels good to know it's there!

I guess there's not much to talk about - the 400h runs like a rocket, gets an average of 25+ fuel mileage, and has no problems to speak of! We're all spoiled!!!

This person should be in the Guiness Book of World Records! A non-diesel, 4200-lb vehicle with automatic transmission averaging 25 defies the laws of thermodynamics, to say the least. After all, a 4-cylinder Toyota Camry, if driven gently may achieve 24 MPG and these cars weigh far less. Even Consumer Reports auto test drivers, who are well known as being very conservative drivers, average only 17 or 18 MPG. I'm guessing someone at the factory slipped in a Highlander 4-cylinder engine in your vehicle!