The RX 400h is America?s first gasoline-electric hybrid luxury SUV. Lexus says it hopes to snare several thousand well-heeled ecologically aware early adapters who might otherwise not have considered an SUV. More likely it?ll grab conspicuous consumers attracted by the fab acceleration, luxury interiors, eco-trendy badging. Fuel economy is remarkable. MSRP: $49,185; Base warranty 4yrs/50,000miles; Powertrain 6/70,000: Hybrid system; 8/100,000.
A tremendous sales and critical success from day one, it has grown considerably in size and weight since its introduction in the late ?90s. Its appeal crossed all the subtle (and not so subtle) class lines in America.
Style leaders from professional athletes to corporate wives all loved this thing. Of course, many of them moved over to Hummers and Navigators as their taste for the outsized evolved. Throughout all this, Lexus? SUV sales gains didn?t miss a step. Parent company Toyota is betting the RX 400h ? a gasoline electric hybrid system - will again catch the sometimes-fickle eye of America?s high profile trendsetters.
The RX 400h can be distinguished from the conventional RX 330 by its somewhat larger radiator openings, which signal the hybrid?s need for additional cool air for the battery pack. In addition, the 6-spoke alloys specific to the RX400h, the discrete lower case ?h? on the badge and the clear glass LED tail lamp assemblage are unique to the hybrid.
The LED system permits the brake lights to be activated milliseconds faster than conventional taillights.
Studies have shown this gives a driver approaching from the rear extra warning.
First Look at the Hybrid Lexus
The original RX 300 introduced America to the car-based SUV.A tremendous sales and critical success from day one, it has grown considerably in size and weight since its introduction in the late ?90s. Its appeal crossed all the subtle (and not so subtle) class lines in America.
Style leaders from professional athletes to corporate wives all loved this thing. Of course, many of them moved over to Hummers and Navigators as their taste for the outsized evolved. Throughout all this, Lexus? SUV sales gains didn?t miss a step. Parent company Toyota is betting the RX 400h ? a gasoline electric hybrid system - will again catch the sometimes-fickle eye of America?s high profile trendsetters.
The RX 400h can be distinguished from the conventional RX 330 by its somewhat larger radiator openings, which signal the hybrid?s need for additional cool air for the battery pack. In addition, the 6-spoke alloys specific to the RX400h, the discrete lower case ?h? on the badge and the clear glass LED tail lamp assemblage are unique to the hybrid.
The LED system permits the brake lights to be activated milliseconds faster than conventional taillights.
Studies have shown this gives a driver approaching from the rear extra warning.