RX400h

That's a great comparison list, QT! I noticed that the ground clearance listed for the Highlander is quite a bit more than that of the RX400h. The overall height of each is similar, so I'm not sure why there is a significant difference.

I received this issue as well. The interesting thing is that the Highlander produced lower fuel mileage numbers than the RX400h, yet the RX400h is heavier by 100 lbs. They did mention that the RX was quieter and better riding. Its disadvantage is that it doesn't handle quite as well. The other thing I noticed is that the RX offers heated seats, the Highlander, nada. As expected, both vehicles trounced the Mercedes and BMW competition. No competitor came close to the gas milage figures of the two hybrids. As was mentioned, many are extreme gas guzzlers. BTW, I don't baby the RX and yet get a consistent 25 MPG.

I have a great time puttering along when an X5 driver, shortly after noticing the "H" after the RX400, pulls into the left lane to blast by me. Not wanting to avoid "shock" therapy, I floor the gas pedal and rocket ahead. This happens every now and again and I still chuckle every time it does.....and we still average 25 MPG, heh, heh!

I never heard of this type of service!

...our RX400h's tires were overinflated when we picked up the vehicle. Apparently, the factory inflates to maximum pressure so that flat spots do not develop in the tires from sitting in one position for extended periods, both on the way to the dealership and on the dealership's lots. This was explained to me by the service consultant yesterday. He figures that occasionally, the techs forget to lower the pressure by bleeding the tires, just before the customer buys the vehicle.

I would hope that they use a frequency that is not within the typical police radar bandwidth. Otherwise, the Lexus radar would could as a jammer to the police units. Ditto for laser transmitters.

I agree that the numbers are close, but if you want to know what the potential of a vehicle is, check with Car & Driver. They clocked the new Corvette Z06 at 0-60 MPH in 3.6 seconds :o . If it were 10 years ago, I would agree that everyone looking at big V8 SUVs could care less about economy, but these are times of rapidly accelerating fuel costs and a significant number of new vehicle shoppers are looking at EPA figures. Personally, I would not have purchased an SUV if the 400h or Highlander hybrid were not available. Only my (previously owned) 68 Corvette has generated more comments from friends, neighbors, and strangers. The most commonly asked question at this time is "How's the gas mileage?" Regarding your wife's thirst for power: Lexus will be coming out with an LS600h - 500HP and the economy of a six cylinder (or at least a very efficient small V8).

Actually, according to Car & Driver, the RX400h out-accelerates even the 8-cylinder BMW X5 [6.9 seconds(RX400h) vs 7.1 seconds(X5)] and trounces it in fuel mileage (the X5 achieves only 16/22 EPA numbers). Also, as you noticed, the RX400h has a smoother, more comfortable ride. From what I've experienced, most women prefer the smoother ride over ultimate handling. We weighed fuel mileage and reliability (the Lexus RXs are Consumer Reports top picks) over handling for our SUV purchasing decision and with gas prices soaring beyond what anyone had expected even last year, we're happy we made this decision. Still, if everyone thought the way we do...........

Where, pray tell, would you fit a natural gas tank...on the roof (like a city bus)? Dang, that would look pretty weird!

"In a recent 5,200 kilometre coast-to-coast trip conducted by Germany's Auto Bild newspaper in the U.S. a Mercedes ML 320 CDI diesel beat a hybrid Lexus RX 400 H. The Mercedes diesel averaged a consumption of 9.1 litres per 100 kilometres while the Lexus Hybrid recorded a fuel consumption of 10.2 litres. " As you can see, the test was conducted by a German magazine and favored highway driving. Passenger car diesels are all but dead here in the US - no surprise, given diesel fuel's $.20 greater cost per gallon than even regular unleaded gas. Toyota caught the Germans flat-footed, so the Germans must try to defend themselves in some way, shape or form.

It's basically a wash - with superunleaded running almost 10% higher in cost than regular, any fuel savings because of better mileage is used up as added fuel cost. The minor benefit is extra power, but let's face it, few of us are asking for MORE power!

Hurt by the constant kidney-pounding from rock-hard seats/suspension and body contortions to enter and exit? Yes! Spoiled? No! :chairshot:

Not yet, but I would love to drive the new Z06 (505 HP). Then again, maybe I shouldn't (cost $70,000)! The nice thing about the C6s is the NAV option. I'm kinda spoiled when I use the RX.

America's thirst for power has increased rapidly over the years. Why else would Crysler come out with a 425 HP sedan? I can't even cout the number of vehicles that now have over 300 HP, can you? Heck, the new Corvette Z06 cranks out 505 HP and gets 28 MPG on the highway! Believe me, the Rx400h and Hylander hybrids crush the wimpy Ford Escape hybrid in sales, even at their much higher prices. The 25 MPG we average in our RX400h matches that of a Camry 4 cylinder and beats many smaller and much lighter vehicle's real-world mileage figures. The icing, of course, is the 650 lbs-ft of torque - gotta love it! BTW, Consumer reports achieved a paltry 12 MPG in a new Honda Odysey van recently while driving their city cycle. I'll take the RX400h any day!

...not for 10K, maybe 15K for a nice 95 C4 Corvette. Of course, if you have about 28K, a C5 like mine will spoil you for life!

The RX400h should be great in the snow! Its limitation is serious rock-climbing at very steep angles and slow speeds (may tend to overheat electric motors). Fortunately, most of us do not intend to do THAT type of off-roading, especially with a $55,000 vehicle! Here's good luck in getting your RX400h

This is the beauty of a hybrid - stopping or puttering along in a traffic jam means that no fuel is being consumed. This is why the EPA City estimate is 31 MPG - plenty of engine shutdowns. I'm not sure how the RX computer calculates fuel usage, but I have checked number of gallons used vs number of miles driven and it agrees almost perfectly with the MPG readout (25 MPG).

We have been totally happy with our RX400h. Our Nissan Quest GXE van averaged about 17 MPG and was as slow as molassis. We are now averaging better than 25 and everything works perfectly (4000 miles). I highly recommend this vehicle.

But i mean i probably cant drive it into a shallow lake like i would with a jeep. lol ← Probably not, but you also WON'T be getting 13 MPG like you would in a Jeep, either! :chairshot:

Looking at the pictures from New Orleans got me to thinking about how a hybrid would perform on flooded roadways. Does the fact that it is a hybrid mean the 400h is more prone to stalling? No, those Japanese engineers know plenty about flooded roadways. Just how much water can a 400h go through before it will have a problem? If the water is as high as the doorsil, you and the RX are in a heap of trouble. What happens if you go through water 3 - 4 inches deep at high speed and it splashes hard against the bottom? Nothing; every vehicle should be capable of that miniscule amount of water.How about if it is salt water?Most of us here would expect that you clean it up as soon as possible. After all, it IS a Lexus! If you do drive into deep saltwater say 3 feet deep, will the car short out or will the will the engine jus stall or both?I wouldn't want to be the first to find out, that's for sure. What's it going to cost to fix the car and what has to be done?If the water enters the interior, you probably won't need to worry about cost, since the paramedics will be calling you "Crispy". If the car does stall in salt water and you get out of the car are you, your passengers and bystanders at risk of an electric shock?Not if the water isn't high enough to enter the interior. Still, you'd be wise to avoid traverse rapids, especially if you notice people canoeing in them. Also as I understand it you are not supposed to drive the 400h on loose sand, i.e. the beach, has anyone done this? Does firm moist sand create a problem for the 400h.Avoid prolonged tire spinning and your RX will thank you for it by not overheating its electric motors. Anybody tried their 400h in real world off roading? Is it any good? Few of here are rich enough to go Dukes of Hazzarding with a $55,000 vehicle. Heck, I haven't even taken my Corvette to the racetrack....the mountains of Southern Cali - yes.....racetrack, no.

The slight surging, the feeling of slightly varying brake pressure, and the electric motor roar are all part of the hybrid experience. However, the positives far outweigh the negatives, IMO. I drove from San Diego to Monterey (many hundred of miles) and never once felt that any of those issues were unbearable or even a slight nuisance. The biggest gripe I have is that I can't open the tailgate all the way in my garage. (which is also the case with RX330 owners, I'm sure). Overall, though, we are very happy with our RX400h, especially at the gas pump.

I agree, but isn't it closer to 4400 lbs? I'll bet a 6000-lb rolls fairly quickly, too. The key is to use its weight to your advantage and roll, roll, roll your boat....

I agree - more than likely, it's the pump.

The San Diego Tribune recently ran a review of the Highlander Hybrid and the reviewer averaged only 22 MPG, from what I recall. We're averaging 25 MPG without babying the throttle, but from what I've read so far, there should be very little difference between the two vehicles. As I mentioned in another post, my wife's coworker claims here Mercedes ML320 gets nearly the same gas mileage as our RX400h. Again, jealousy tends to inflate numbers considerably.....