Part sports car, part luxury sedan, part SUV...oh, and it's a hybrid
I live in the North. Everything is 20 minutes by highway away from everything else and a far cry from the crowded streets where hybrid cars make most sense.
Whether you drive in Sudbury Ontario or the crowded streets of Montreal, Toronto or Vancouver, Lexus's RX400h hybrid is a machine which doesn't make its powertrain the largest part of its identity- so you don't have to be driving through gridlock every day to justify owning one. The 400h is less a hybrid and more a capable luxury performance SUV with all-weather, all-road operation that happens to have a battery and motor drive system under the floor.
With its LED taillamps, xenon lighting, huge wheels and chrome trim, most won't be able to tell it's any different than other premium SUV's.
A mostly well executed interior
You get the impression that Lexus set out to create an extremely comfortable experience before you even reach for your seatbelt. The Ultra Premium model surrounds occupants with leather seating and a commanding view of the road, and keeps them on course with a DVD-navigation system. There's automatic climate control, a big sunroof overhead and even door-sills with illuminated 'Lexus" logos on them- the ultimate accessory you never knew you needed.
There's room-a-plenty, fantastic visibility, and easy entry and exit. The tailgate is motorized, and opens or closes from the remote- easing loading and unloading. You can keep the children entertained with the rear-seat DVD player, and avoid backing over their half hazardously parked toys with the rear-view camera. Bluetooth cellular phone connectivity and voice-command add to the high-tech feel. This interior stands out in terms of build quality, materials selection and attention to detail- leaving little to be desired.
But not nothing.
No small, at-hand storage compartments for your change or cell phone are available, unless you want to give up a door handle or cupholder. Some of the controls feel dated too, and the interface between man and machine isn't as slick as some of the competition. Buttons often seem grouped together showing little logic to their placement, and there's even a panel concealing a few controls that don't seem to have a place elsewhere.
I live in the North. Everything is 20 minutes by highway away from everything else and a far cry from the crowded streets where hybrid cars make most sense.
Whether you drive in Sudbury Ontario or the crowded streets of Montreal, Toronto or Vancouver, Lexus's RX400h hybrid is a machine which doesn't make its powertrain the largest part of its identity- so you don't have to be driving through gridlock every day to justify owning one. The 400h is less a hybrid and more a capable luxury performance SUV with all-weather, all-road operation that happens to have a battery and motor drive system under the floor.
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| The RX 400h is a great all-round vehicle. |
With its LED taillamps, xenon lighting, huge wheels and chrome trim, most won't be able to tell it's any different than other premium SUV's.
A mostly well executed interior
You get the impression that Lexus set out to create an extremely comfortable experience before you even reach for your seatbelt. The Ultra Premium model surrounds occupants with leather seating and a commanding view of the road, and keeps them on course with a DVD-navigation system. There's automatic climate control, a big sunroof overhead and even door-sills with illuminated 'Lexus" logos on them- the ultimate accessory you never knew you needed.
There's room-a-plenty, fantastic visibility, and easy entry and exit. The tailgate is motorized, and opens or closes from the remote- easing loading and unloading. You can keep the children entertained with the rear-seat DVD player, and avoid backing over their half hazardously parked toys with the rear-view camera. Bluetooth cellular phone connectivity and voice-command add to the high-tech feel. This interior stands out in terms of build quality, materials selection and attention to detail- leaving little to be desired.
But not nothing.
No small, at-hand storage compartments for your change or cell phone are available, unless you want to give up a door handle or cupholder. Some of the controls feel dated too, and the interface between man and machine isn't as slick as some of the competition. Buttons often seem grouped together showing little logic to their placement, and there's even a panel concealing a few controls that don't seem to have a place elsewhere.
 |
| Interior fit and finish is beyond reproach but ergonomics fail to impress. |