| A Week at the Wheel | Cambs, England | Lexus RX 400h |
Inside & Out:
As befits such a vehicle, the RX 400h casts an imposing figure. It is a big car with relatively strong and bold styling that is as individual as it is striking. It is unmistakably a Lexus courtesy of the family grille and trademark rear lights. The interior is spacious, as you'd expect given the footprint, and well equipped and finished. The whole car looks and feels expensive and gives a strong impression of the Lexus hallmark quality.
The size isn't necessarily too limiting either, as is becoming more common, the RX features a rear view camera for assisting parking manoeuvres and such like. However, you might struggle in tight multi-storey car parks and similar environments.
Engine & Transmission:
This is the headline grabbing part of this particular RX model. The hybrid drive system is claimed to endow the car with great performance whilst offering fuel consumption equivalent to that of diesel rivals. The theory is that the car runs on electric power wherever possible with the engine driving through a CVT gearbox when more power is required. Braking feeds energy back into the batteries as the motors become generators.
In practice it's a remarkable piece of kit, if not least for the novelty value of driving it. Turn the ignition key and there is nothing but a beep to indicate the drive system is ready. Slot it into gear and gently press on the throttle pedal and the RX moves away silently, powered purely by the electric motors. At higher speeds or heavier doses of throttle the engine will start and feed in seamlessly. With both systems engaged the RX offers warm hatch pace.
The systems mode of operation can be monitored via the multi-media screen and you are quickly lured into playing along with the ideal of trying to save as much energy as possible. After a period of ownership this novelty no doubt wears thin and one would drive it much more like a normal drivetrain. In our time with the car we managed to achieve an average of 29mpg, which is not bad for an SUV, but not a huge improvement over a well-sorted diesel either.
Ride & Handling:
The RX 400h weighs over two tonnes and that stat as much as any other dictates its on road persona. It never feels too heavy per se, but the ride is firm and the suspension and damping always feels like it is being worked. The car offers a reasonable enough drive, but falls someway short of matching the dynamic prowess of either the
BMW X5 or
Audi Q7. It does at least match them on refinement.
Equipment, Economy & Value for Money:
When you look at the amount of technology wrapped up in the RX 400h's package you have to consider it good value for money. However, compared to conventionally powered rivals, principally the X5 3.0d and Q7 3.0TDi it is merely competitive. Running costs are roughly equivalent and quality and equipment levels are at least the equal of the German competition's.
Overall:
The core appeal of this car are the benefits offered by the hybrid driveline. There is no doubting the depth and quality of technology and engineering that has gone into the car. The lower emissions and improved economy are there to see and the current congestion charge dodging potential has to be a consideration for those in London or the other areas highlighted for such potential schemes.
The RX itself is a fine SUV perhaps lacking the driving experience of a Q7 or X5, but offering similar levels of quality and equipment and, in hybrid guise at least, fine refinement. Consider its rivals as the turbodiesels in their respective line-ups and it becomes a tough call in terms of running costs and depreciation.
We would question whether ultimately the hybrid is an emissions neutral technology. You have to create and dispose of these systems - neither of which are cheap processes. However, it is definitely a step in the right direction and as such a signal of intent; it should be applauded.