RX400h

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!

There is a product called the "Chip Kit" that includes applicators (look like soft match sticks), various grit sandpaper, and some clearcoat. The idea is that you clean, abrade, clean and apply a thin coat of paint. After it dries, you apply enough clearcoat to overfill the chip/scratch. After the clearcoat dries, you sand it down until it is flush with the surrounding undamaged clearcoat paint. You may not end up with a proffesional-looking job, but for $20 (can be used many times), you can't beat the price, either. If you go this route, you should find an older vehicle on which to practice - it does require a technique.

A coworker who has been leasing her RX330 for more than one year now is averaging 16 MPG in mixed city/high traffic/highway driving. Of course, living and driving in a big city involves plenty of stop & go driving, making a hybrid vehicle a particularly good choice. She intends to upgrade to the 400h when her lease has expired.

Yes. this is normal but is so slight that I'm not concerned at all. The brief electric motor roar is much more noticable, IMO. Luckily, it doesn't last long and happens only during agressive gas pedal pushing.

Yesterday, I adjusted the garage door limit switch so that the angle of the last door panel was nearly horizontal. Alas, the hatch door will still contact the garage door. The pad idea is certainly good for emergencies, but for the time being, I am unloading groceries in the driveway. Hey, at least I don't have to start the engine to pull in the RX after we're done!

I posted this same question one month ago after receiving my RX400h. Apparently, this is a common problem among the Rxs. I have explained this to the Lexus regional representative when he called recently and I have noted it in the survey that was sent to me last week. As far as I know, there is no quick-fix, short of replacing the cylinders with shorter ones. I am hoping that Lexus comes up with a retro-fit solution one of these days.

It looks like the highway milage we (forum members) are seeing is right on the money and city is basically unproven, as most of us do not drive exclusively in the city. So, based upon what I've seen and experienced, actual highway mileage matches EPA and for the majority of 400h owners, 24-27 MPG average of our types of driving is extremely close to the EPA numbers. Well done, Lexus!

The sad thing is that even though many people can qualify for a $60,000 vehicle, it does not mean that they can readily afford it. You wouldn't believe how many Corvette owners out there live in an apartment or condo with NO garage. The salesperson told them they could afford it..........

We now have over 1000 miles on our 400h and are consistantly averaging 25 MPG with plenty of city and highway use. A Volkswagen new Beetle averages 25 MPG, so anyone who complains about that kind of mileage from a 4500-lb all wheel drive SUV that rockets to 60 MPH in 6.9 seconds should re-investigate real-world gas mileage! After one week of back and forth to work and Saturday and Sunday driving, we spent $15.00 to fill it up. By contrast, out 86 Honda Accord 4-cylinder would travel the same number of miles and cost $11.00 to fill up at 95 cents per gallon. Our Nissan Quest was costing us $25.00 to $28.00 to fill up at current prices. Needless to say, we are VERY happy so far! BTW, my coworker's RX330 is averaging 16 MPG in mixed driving....ouch!

The RX400h does not offer this feature. My guess is that it has something to do with the CVT transmission. Then again, it could be that some other compatibility issue has not yet been resolved.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if you checked with Consumer Reports before buying the Mercedes, you'd have seen its poor reliability rating, especially when compared to almost any Lexus. Ah well, as long as you are aware of the problem areas.......

I use Zaino "Leather in a bottle" every 2-3 months and keep my car covered during the day while it is at work. I have heard (from a coworker) that "Connolly Hide Care" leather conditioner actually softens the leather to prevent cracking, but I have not tried it yet. All-in-all, ultraviolet rays are leather's worst enemy. Keep your vehicle out of the sun when possible.

It will be well worth the wait - I guarantee it!

I found out today that a coworker who drives a leased RX330 is averaging 16 MPG. When I told her that our RX400h is at 25.5 and heading upward, she said "THAT is my next vehicle!" With gas prices at $2.40 per gallon (regular), she needs to do this quickly!. I didn't have the heart to talk about the incredible torque and effortless speed, since she must wait a while before her lease runs out, but we now have another believer in our midst!