RX400h

Yes, in 2006 the hybrid Sienna will be released to the US. By the way, both the RX400h and the Highlander hybrids will pump out 270 HP. The Highlander seats 7 and both vehicles are expected to be rated at 35 or 36 MPG in the city. My Corvette is rated at 19 City and 28 highway and I'm getting 17-18 in almost all city driving. Therefore, I may be able to achieve 30 in the RX400h (I would think) in city driving.

Notice the number of days on the lot for the Honda Civic hybrids. The Prius and Sienna are trouncing the Honda competition big time! :chairshot:

Headlines in the San Diego Union Tribune, May 12, 2004: Hybrid-car popularity shifts into overdrive " Gas-guzzling muscle cars are being overtaken by unassuming little hybrids. And the Toyota Prius is leading the charge. For the first four months of the year, sales of the Prius are up 80 percent from last year, and April sales are more than 150 percent higher than a year ago. Waiting lists in San Diego County Toyota dealerships range from 60 to 330 people. many would-be Prius owners are having to wait as long as a year." Current average number of days, nationally, that the following vehicles remain on dealer lots before being sold: Toyota Prius 6 Honda Insight 24 Honda Civic Hybrid 46 Lincoln Navigator 47 Cadillac Escalade 49 Hummer H2 60 Chevrolet Suburban 67 Ford Expedition 70

I do receive CU and in their 2004 annual auto issue, they describe the Highlander this way: "It's similar to the Lexus RX330, though roomier and less costly...... The Highlander is quiet and roomy, with a comfortable ride and easy-to-use controls. Handling is responsive and secure." The RX330: " The RX330 is our top-pick midsized SUV. The refined and responsive 230-hp, 3.3-liter V6 and smooth-shifting five-speed automatic work well. Handling is better than most traditional SUVs and considerably improved over its predecessor. Emergency handling is forgiving and secure, thanks to the standard stability- control system. The ride is very comfortable. The well-detailed interior is as plush and quiet as many luxury cars. The rear seat is roomy enough for three, but cargo capacity is limited." Each vehicle was awarded the highest ratings for reliability, satisfaction, and depreciation.

The consumer wins either way, as prices for the RX330 and regular Highlander will (or have) come down. This being the case, it doesn't make sense the Toyota to charge much more over retail of the standard versions for the hybrids. The question is three-fold: 1)How many miles do you drive? 2)How long will you keep your vehicle? 3)How much is it worth to you to NOT have to fill up every week? Number three is similar to the question of whether to have caller ID at home in that I will gladly pay $6.00 per month to NOT have to listen to telemarketers. I also do not enjoy having to fill er up, especially with gas prices the way they are.

Nice pics! I feel better knowing that others are saying the added cost will not be too much. The good news is that if for some reason, the out-the-door price is astronomical, I can always get my deposit back and get the Highlander.....still saving my pennies........

Toyota really surprised many people when they announced the Prius cost. Quite a few magazine writers questioned how they could be turning much of a profit. However, I feel that Toyota's marketing direction has been well thought-out and the demand thus far is proof. A Toyota salesperson told me that there is an 8-month waiting list for the Prius. Although pricing for the RX400h has not been announced yet, I expect that it will be no more than $2000 over the sticker price of the 330. Maybe this is why a Lexus salesperson offered me an RX330 for $500 over dealer invoice recently.

Thanks, SW. I drove the Highlander, but only sat in the RX330. I think that even the leather is different - RX's has soft, expensive-feeling leather and the Highlander is better suited for wiping up spilled baby formula. Still, since I'm # 2 on the Highlander Hybrid list and 15 and the RX400h list, I will at least check out the HH when it is introduced. However, we are heavily leaning towards the 400h for the reasons you mentioned.

From what I've read thus far, SW03ES is correct in that most buyers of SUVs are more interested in power and features vs all-out economy. Getting hybrid SUVs into the mainstream is certainly more likely if a. You sacrifice nothing except a slightly higher cost b. You gain something that most Americans want - more power This is why the Highlander hybrid will equipped with only the 6-cylinder engine - more power AND significantly higher city milage when compared to even the 4-cylinder version.

I was wondering if anyone has compared te two vehicles directly. I know that the RXs have many more standard and available features, but what about ride, handling, and quietness? The Highlander Hybrid may be introduced before the RX400h and I test-drove a Highlander today - very smooth ride and extremely quiet with fairly quick-ratio steering. Unfortunately, I have not been able to drive an RX330 yet, hence, the aforementioned questions. Both hybrids will have the same engine and HP output. Thanks!

Pharmguy, Toyota already has a bunch of experience with hybrid technology, via the Prius so I'm not too worried about the first year for Lexus. I haven't heard of any problems with the Prius so far, so that's a good sign as well. I will certainly keep you posted when I test-drive one of the first 400s in January. By the way, this vehicle will be for my wife; I bought my toy a few years back - a 2001 Magnetic Red Corvette Coupe (love it!). Dave

Unfortunately, as with most new car introduction-pricing, there will be no dealing for a while. I will have to pay list price, but no added markup (as some dealerships like to tack on). I did have to leave a $1000 deposit that is fully refundable. I am hoping that a full brochure, listing all available features and options will be available this Fall. I haven't heard whether an adjustable suspension will be offered, but I will be tempted to select the GPS map and backup camera option. The salesperson told me that as soon as they receive their first RX400h in January, those on the list will be called to set up an appointment to test-drive it. I understand that the Toyota Highlander and then Sienna van will be next as hybrid variants. Toyota even has a hybrid sportscar on the drawing board that will pump out over 400 HP and get 38 MPG. With these gas prices (especially in California), they will not come a moment too soon!

I wouldn't worry too much at this time. Synthetic oil does flow better than petroleum-based oil, so you may want to switch back the next time you change oil, even if that's one year from now. (Most synthetic oils can go 12,000 miles or one year, whichever occurs first). I would definitely NOT use high-viscosity oil, such as 20W-50; it will only do more harm than good. Stick with the manufacturer's recommended viscosity and your engine will last a very long time. In the meantime, save your pennies because one of these days you will need to have the seal changed, even if that's a few years from now.

I would venture to say that if your mom is over 40, she will probably do just fine with regular fuel. My Mazda MX6 GT-Turbo's manual says the same thing; needless-to-say, I pump in super. However, if I were to sell my car to my mother, I'd tell her to use either regular or mid-grade.

Thanks, Harley. I almost thought that no one had anything to say about their RX! I just hope Lexus has any dash squeek issue resolved by the time the 400h rolls out. I will be taking a test drive in January (I hope) and will report my findings soon afterward. Best regards, Dave

Hi everyone. I am number 15 on a list (at a local dealership)of people waiting for the RX400h to be introduced next January, 2005. Has anyone else signed up? Motor Trend estimates the starting price to be approx. $37K. Has anyone heard differently? From what I know so far, the city milage should be about 35 MPG and the tranny will be continuously variable. HP is estimated to be 270. I'm also wondering if this vehicle will need to be smogged. I guess they can't perform the idle sniffer test? I'm certain that more info will be available as the introduction date approaches, but for now, besides my aforementioned questions, I'd like to ask if overall, everyone is happy with his or her RX330. Thanks! Dave