RX 400h Delivers Power of Premium V8 Rivals but Sips Away at Fuel
While Lexus' U.S. division is reportedly expanding its new RX 400h hybrid SUV lineup to include a new front-wheel drive variant to what
is now a vehicle only available in all-wheel drive, Lexus Canada will not partake according to a spokesperson within the company's Scarborough, Ontario office.
The new model, which removes the secondary rear-mounted electric motor so that only the front wheels are powered by a gasoline-electric setup, is lighter and therefore should be more efficient than the current all-wheel drive model, and in the U.S. at least, represents a significant initial savings.
Currently, the price of an RX 400h, which costs $62,200 CAD here in Canada, is only $48,410 USD south of the border, plus
$695 USD for freight (in Canada freight is $1,675 CAD in case you were wondering). The new front-wheel drive RX 400h is priced at $44,660 USD, or at least will be when it becomes available in late December. That's a cost savings of $3,750 USD over the current all-wheel drive 400h.
Those wanting the all-wheel drive version but not needing a sophisticated navigation system and rear-mounted back-up camera will also be able to de-content the current RX all-or-nothing 400h package, removing these items and resultantly dropping the price by $2,350 to $46,060 USD.
While Lexus' U.S. division is reportedly expanding its new RX 400h hybrid SUV lineup to include a new front-wheel drive variant to what
 |
| Lexus' U.S. division is reportedly expanding its new RX 400h hybrid SUVlineup to include a new front-wheel drive variant to what is now avehicle only available in all-wheel drive, but it won't be available inCanada. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
The new model, which removes the secondary rear-mounted electric motor so that only the front wheels are powered by a gasoline-electric setup, is lighter and therefore should be more efficient than the current all-wheel drive model, and in the U.S. at least, represents a significant initial savings.
Currently, the price of an RX 400h, which costs $62,200 CAD here in Canada, is only $48,410 USD south of the border, plus
 |
| The front-wheel drive RX 400h will present a cost savings of $3,750 USD over the current all-wheel drive model. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
Those wanting the all-wheel drive version but not needing a sophisticated navigation system and rear-mounted back-up camera will also be able to de-content the current RX all-or-nothing 400h package, removing these items and resultantly dropping the price by $2,350 to $46,060 USD.