Energy Friendly AND Powerful - RX400h

Author's Rating:

Pros: Awesome nav system, Integrated Bluetooth! Hybrid technology is environmentally friendly w/o sacrificing POWER.

Cons: No MP3 jack, no integrated iPod option, no miles left on gas gauge.

The Bottom Line: 
100% love the Lexus 400h. Low road-noise, Quiet engine, Fuel efficient with amazing power, fully loaded features and integrated Bluetooth. There's just no comparison.

Author's Review
I know many complain about the price difference between the Hybrid 400h and the RX330 or RX350. I did not test drive the RX330 or RX350 because I wanted to FEEL like I was doing something good for the environment. Price aside, the base package of the 400h is VERY well equipped and just slightly higher than the non-hybrid models.
My RX400h is a beautiful Flint Mica. It is 100% quiet. I range between 27-31 mpg - depending on the temperature outside, it may be closer to 27 on very cold/very hot days when the heat or AC is running. I had a CRV before and this is world's better than the gas mileage I got on that 4 cil - surprising but true. Many of my friends also have a CRV with the same complaint on gas mileage.

Things I love about the 400h:
INSANELY QUIET: This vehicle is amazingly quiet. Not only is it quiet on the exterior due to the electric engines, but even when the engines come on while driving, you can barely tell. I don't know how they do it so seemless. But INSIDE - there is almost no road noise! With my old CRV you could barely have a conversation with a passenger due to the horrible road noise. I never realized just how bad it was. And if I had the radio turned up to any degree - everyone outside could hear what I was listening to. Not the case with the 400h - now no one can hear me sing!

NAV System RULES : The Nav system is awesome. Yes, it does take some getting used to - you have got to read the manual and keep it handy to page through a few times until you get the hang of it. I've had my vehicle for 6 months and still haven't fully mastered all nav features, but it rescued me from highway gridlock one day by showing me an alternate "avoid freeway" route! And also showed me a back road way to work that is so much less hectic than my previous route.

Integrated Bluetooth is Ingenious - Integrating my Motorola Razr into the bluetooth via the nav system is so easy! I'm left handed and it never feels comfortable holding a phone to my head while driving and having the need to operate turn signals. So I never used my phone while driving before. With the integrated bluetooth - I might as well have a full 3 watt installed phone! The sound is fantastic and people can hear me just as clear as day. My hands are free and all I need to focus on is the road. You can operate the 'receiver' on the steering wheel controls or via the LCD nav screen. So easy and efficient. Caller ID shows up on my nav screen too!

Fuel Efficient - I know some people don't think 27-32 MPG is worthy of a "hybrid" vehicle. But I used to drive a 4 cil CRV and I was lucky to get 20 MPG and I always had my vehicle serviced so it had nothing to do with maintenance. To get the kind of gas mileage I am getting and to be able to beat any V6 off the line is amazing! This car has POWER AND good gas mileage. Where else can you get that?!

Auto Up/Down Windows - The one touch auto up / auto down windows on all 4 windows is fantastic. Not only is it quick - it will immediately stop if something is blocking - such as a hand, arm, etc and it is barely a pinch. I don't know why every car doesn't have this!

Automatic Rear Door - Picture this - you're coming out of the grocery store, it's pouring rain, while sheltered by the store awning you hit your auto lift button and run to your car with your cart. By the time you get there the door is open (opened up to block the rain) and you load all of your groceries in, hit the button to close and get into your car. It's an amazing feature! I have seen others in the parking lot just sit there and watch it automatically go up and then come back down. It's really fun to use.

Other Features - Heated leather seats, automatic rain sensing wipers (really cool and efficient), great sound system, rides on air, ability to SEE the power/gas mileage AS you accelerate, auto-dimming mirrors, defrost on the side mirrors, moon roof, etc. This vehicle is top of the line in every possible way.

All of my friends love my car and I'm always the 'designated driver' whenever we go anywhere. Lexus service is top notch as well. You can just feel the quality when you drive this vehicle. Test drive it just once and you'll be in love.

I would have liked to have an integrated iPod option that some car companies offer. There's no MP3 jack, but that's not that big of a deal for me. The biggest thing I would have loved to see would be how many miles I have left on my gas tank. Thats really the only improvement I could see.