LONG TERM REVIEW: Lexus RX400h-Does it stand the test of time?

I'm sorry- did we read the same article? I missed the part where it "fell apart". Must be by stupid American eyes....darn them.

formula1, are you serious! you been away for too long on planet Germany,a lot has changed since you left, welcome back to planet earth. Oh by the way Hitler is dead, just let you in on some of the major happenings since you left. welcome back!!

That should have read "my" stupid American eyes.

So did Japan you complete moron!
I fail to see what WW2 does to the current quality of cars.

And the RX is not allowed off-road, toyota says if you do, it will overheat and die. It's not even proper 4WD, the rears are electric only!

Lexusmaniac, and the Japanese were responsible for ten million Chinese dying during WWII. Look it up.

Yes, you can explain why Japan and Germany lost WW2 in 1 sentence.
Please go away, you contribute nothing to this site other than garbage.

You know, we hear all this criticism about the "Lexus fanboys," yet nothing is said about the equally ignorant anti-Lexus fanboys...

Your joking right? They did a long term test of a first year RX400 and had no
breakdowns or mechanical repairs.

The only breakdown here is of the mental variety, and it happened to "formula 1".

I'd imagine this RX will stand the test of time. I've been in an RX before it seems to be built quite solidly. I think it should do fine.

Although a technological marvel, the RX-H is still a first generation product in terms of overall drivetrain smoothness. For now, I would stick with the BMW diesel engines in the X5 when available - that engine has proven itself already. Unfortunately, there is doubt whether it will make it to California due to emissions requirements.

Oh well.

The X5 3.0d is very good, but soon (hopefully) there will be the X5 twin turbo 3.0d (like the 535d).

Lexusmaniac

Oh really you must have your facts confused!

http://www.autospies.com/news/Lexus-RX-400H-vs-BMW-X3-3-0sd-10500/

LOL!

That's what they all say.

One GERMAN article had the LS460 in first.

One AMERICAN article had the LS460L in dead last.

Does that mean nobody has a perfect, un-biased opinion like you? Yes, you know absolutely everything there is to know. Everything revolves around Lexus. The rest is just commentary.

I believe this is the long term test from C&D I read before. Those lead foot drivers can still manage 24mpg and a normal driver average 27 mpg, "By working at it, with no hard acceleration and making use of the regenerative braking, he managed to average 27 mpg over four months." Not bad.

Another interesting thing is that 0-60 time improves from 7.5s to 6.6s after some mileage, almost one second faster!

Guess GS450h maybe will run 0-60 under 5s after some miles. ^o^

I didn't realize you could get a feeling of a car by checking it out on the website. Kudos to you!

I know you're not really trying to tell us you sat in a GS hybrid, let alone drove one are you?

*pauses*

Asian hybrids are sketchy and are still crawling on all fours. i will be intrested when the germans come out with a walking upright model hybrid. Not all kinks are sorted out and when they are i'll be ready and waiting.

and about the "everlasting lexus" - every single lexus i see thats older than 2004 looks pretty lacklusture and outdated. just my opinion

LOL, German hybrids...

LexusManiac,

"Get a Lexus RX400h. Beats the BMW in every department. All the BMW has going for it is some fantasy magic feel."

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I don't know what it is but i'm beginning to see that you have a mental disability. Lexus beating BMW in every department? I don't think so little man. I don't know who's paying you or what kind of drugs you take but you have it all wrong, just like in all your comments.

The RX is a good car and built very well BUT you can't simply go and say it beats BMW in every department. If Lexus themselves don't make that claim what makes everyone else believe your claim is credible? Get a life ! Have you even driven an RX? or a BMW?... enough said.

Rupert, forgive me for trying to tell formula1 that his views and perception are of someone either highly ignorant or of person who has been asleep for the last 30 odd years or so and you call me a moron! it has nothing to do WW2. read my statement again.

Keyser, my comment was aimed at Lexusmaniac, not you. Sorry for the confusion.
I do agree, formula1's comment was rather stupid.

This crap is never going to end. I hate this website.

But noone listens anyway.

hence the name.

*taps shoe*

Helmut Panke promises a Hybrid 7 very soon.

This website has gotten ridiculous.

Haha doesn't KIA own Hyundai or vice versa? there can't be a flame war haha.

formula1 your so retarted, its not even funny.

i take my X3 offroad all the time at Laurel Cavrens and Ohiopyle in Pennsylvania. it handles beautifully. my friend takes his X5 up to Ohiopyle all the time. comes home all messy like a kid playing in the mud!

The real article is from Car and Driver. They didn't like it, too many inconviences. They also babied it (slow/granny style) to get decent fuel economy (no AC in Arizona) If they did that to all vehicles they would see that most cars can get very decent fuel economy.

Read it again please! I read that original article too. Where did they say no AC used? Did you see the word "popular"?


"The RX400h was popular for staffers going on long trips, owing to its expensive-feeling interior and cushy, upscale seats. It had great power for passing, lots of bins for stowing things, and luggage space that seemed uncompromised by the extra batteries housed under the rear seat for the hybrid system.
What we really wanted to know about this hybrid, of course, was how it fared at the pumps. The EPA rates the RX400h at 31 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, and we averaged 24 mpg over 40,000 miles. Its true that we have heavy feet here in Ann Arbor, so we sent the RX out to Pat Bedard in Arizona because he loves to tease every last drop of juice out of hybrids. By working at it, with no hard acceleration and making use of the regenerative braking, he managed to average 27 mpg over four months."

i test the RX400h and hated it. While the gasoline version was as smooth as silk (typical lexus), the hybrid was jerky and rough, almost entirely due to the rough engine transitions. although i know supposedly "that's how they work," and that it comes with the territory, for $50k i want a hybrid that doesn't drive like a $30k prius, i want and expect refinement, a lot of it. props to the trendsetters, but for me, the hybrid isn't ready for prime time in a lexus...