Lexus RX400h (2005 – 2009) Review

2015 Lexus RX 450h 3.5 Advance 5dr CVT Auto [Pan roof]

Lexus RX
450h 3.5 Advance 5dr CVT Auto [Pan roof]
£16,999

Lexus RX400h (2005 – 2009) At A Glance

Very successful hybrid application. Performance of a V8 SUV with better than diesel SUV economy. Handles well too. Most ECO friendly big SUV.

Lost Congestion Tax exemption from February 2008 except for existing owners. Go through brake discs and pads very rapidly.

On average it achieves 89% of the official MPG figure

I don't feel any guilt making a case for the Lexus RX400h.

It's a quiet and very comfortable conveyance with the performance of a big V8 SUV, yet fuel economy that beats all full-size diesel SUVs.

I averaged 31.3mpg, which is nothing to be ashamed of in a car that kicks out 273PS, gets to 60 in 7.3 seconds and weighs 2,000kg.

It's not cheap at £36,393 for the base model to £45,258 for the fully loaded SE-L version I drove. And some of the trim isn't really grand enough for a forty-five grander, like the rattly ashtray cup holder and the honorary console between the seats. A BMW X5 has much better ambiance.

But it's superbly comfortable. It's very quiet and pleasant to drive. It handles better than most SUVs. And if you suddenly need to get a move on the combined power of the engine and two electric motors whack you up to warp speed remarkably quickly.

The anchors are very good, too. Despite nearly twice the weight of the Honda Hybrid, you don't get the same feeling of braking against the heavy flywheel effect of the electric motors.

So how does it work?

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Lexus RX400h (2005 – 2009) handling and engines

Readers report Real MPG to be between 24–37 mpg

Under the bonnet there's the same 208bhp 3.3 litre V6 as you'll find in an RX300. That is coupled to a regenerative electric motor that develops 165bhp from 4,100 - 5,000rpm and 333Nm torque from 0 - 2,000rpm. The power and torque of the petrol engine and front electric motor are fed through a CVT transmission to the front wheels. The figures don't quite add up because the power comes at different revs, but Lexus gives it a "maximum system output" of 269bhp. Which is more than enough.

Trickling about the car runs completely silently on the front electric motor alone. On hard acceleration both petrol engine and front electric motor work together. On lift-off, especially when descending hills, the electric motor regenerates power, which is then stored in batteries. During normal steady speed cruising the petrol engine both drives the car and powers the generator, storing energy in the batteries. A smaller 66bhp, 130Nm torque electric motor directly drives the rear diff, giving four-wheel-drive capability when required. There is no front-to-rear propshaft as in an RX300, so the petrol engine never drives the rear wheels. When you stop, the petrol engine automatically switches off, starting again as soon as you press the accelerator.

From this you might think it was a recipe for colossal understeer, but while understeer is the main handling characteristic it is well maintained and the steering is pleasantly sharp and accurate. Though you can't see the bonnet, it's very easy and natural to ‘place' the car by the fame of the front screen.

And since it's a hybrid it is currently London Congestion Charge exempt. There There is no reason whatsoever for this to get up the nose of Ken Livingstone because the car does what a hybrid should do. In London traffic it will be running on electric motor a lot of the time and when stationary the petrol engine switches off. It emits virtually zero Nox and a comparatively low 192g/km CO2 overall which qualifies it for the £180pa hybrid VED rate. From an owner's point of view the big 235/55 R18 tyres absorb speed humps and cushions well. So no real reason not to use one in London, apart from the potential ignorance of green-envy protestors who may still label it an enemy of the planet even though the diesel bus they rode to their protest in will have had a far more devastating effect.

Engine	MPG	0-62	CO₂
400h	35 mpg	-	-

Real MPG average for the Lexus RX400h (2005 – 2009)

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Average performance

89%

Real MPG

24–37 mpg

MPGs submitted

168

Lexus RX400h (2005 – 2009) interior

Boot space is 439 litres

Dimensions
Length	4760 mm
Width	1845 mm
Height	1720 mm
Wheelbase	2720 mm
Full specifications

The more I drove the RX400h the more I liked it. You get a high driving position, fantastic, luxurious seats, decent handling, all the performance you ever need to overtake confidently and acceptable fuel economy. The top SE-L version doesn't just have touchscreen satnav, but also a rear parking camera with colour display that helps enormously once you learn to trust it. I didn't do any real offroading, but having been misdirected by the police at the Goodwood festival of Speed I did wind up driving across a completely empty dry grass field at 60mph, which may or may not have engaged the rear electric motor but felt completely stable and totally in control.

Lexus RX400h (2005 – 2009) models and specs

Dimensions
Length	4760 mm
Width	1845 mm
Height	1720 mm
Wheelbase	2720 mm

Miscellaneous
Kerb Weight	2040 kg
Boot Space	439 L
Warranty	3 years
Servicing	10000 miles

Costs
List Price	£35,505–£45,950
Insurance Groups	-
Road Tax Bands	-
Official MPG	34.1 mpg

Euro NCAP Safety Ratings
Adult	-
Child	-
Pedestrian	-
Overall	-

On sale until April 2009

4 X 4
Version	List Price	MPG	0-62
SE Auto	£41,365	34.9 mpg	-
SE-L Auto	£45,950	34.9 mpg	-
SR Auto	£39,270	34.9 mpg	-

On sale until February 2009

4 X 4
Version	List Price	MPG	0-62
3.3 Litre Auto	£35,505	34.9 mpg	-

April 2004

Hybrid version of RX300 with 3.3 litre belt cam VVT-I V6 and two electric motors, front and rear, giving a combined output equivalent to a 4.0 litre V8. Unlike normal front drive hybrids, the RX400h is front drive only from the engine. There is no driveshaft to the rear diff. That is replaced by a regenerative electric motor that either charges the car's batteries, or provides additional drive when 4WD or when extra acceleration is needed. It works fantastically well, giving the car V8 SUV performance with better than diesel SUV economy.

UK debut at Birmingham Motor Show, May 2004. Actually started to arrive spring 2005. 0-60 7.4 seconds, top speed 124mph, combined economy up to 35mpg (28mpg reported by readers). Top marque in 2006 J.D. Power UK Customer Satisfaction Study, earning the 2006 Gold Award for a sixth successive year with 873 points out of 1000, well above the industry average of 791 points. Good to drive, and I got 31.3mpg, which is better than any big diesel SUV. This is one hybrid that offers better performance than petrol and better economy than diesel.

August 2007

RX 400h SR, on sale from August 2007, sits between between the standard RX 400h and the RX 400h SE. Has leather upholstery, eight-way electric front seat adjustment, heated front seats, a 40:20:40 split-folding rear seat and metallic paint. Same Lexus Hybrid Drive, accelerating from rest to 60mph in 7.4 seconds, returning 34.9mpg combined and emitting 192g/km of CO2.

Lexus Multimedia system is available as an option, comprising DVD satellite navigation with dynamic route guidance, voice command control of key audio, navigation and communication functions, Bluetooth connectivity, an 11-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system with six-disc DVD autochanger and digital MP3/WMA file recognition, Park Assist Monitor and an Electro Multi-Vision VCA screen. (ICE) package is also available, with twin headrest mounted screens and infra-red headphones for rear seat passengers to enjoy movies or computer games on the move. Colours: Platinum Ice or Astral Black metallic finish, with grey or black leather interior. 16E insurance group.

RX 400h SR £37,500
RX 400h SR with ICE £39,700
RX 400h SR with Multimedia £40,745
RX 400h SR with ICE and Multimedia £42,945

For existing owners at 12-2-2008 Congestion Tax free until October 2010. For new owners, Congestion Taxed at £8 a day from 27-10-2010.

New premium ICE package from March comprises two slim tablet units, securely mounted on the back of the front seats. Each features an eight-inch WVGA screen with an integrated side loading DVD player and USB 2.0 and SD Card readers. The units are resistant to screen jitter when travelling over uneven surfaces and their larger screen size gives a wider viewing angle.

Two pairs of infrared headphones are provided. Reception has been sharpened and there is an auto power-off function. Each tablet has a manual control panel, or a remote control unit can be used, redesigned for a superior tactile quality and ease of use. The tablets have RCA inputs for connecting compatible games consoles and a stereo 23.5mm jack point. The screens can be operated together or independently, should passengers choose to enjoy the same playback or their own choice of video, music or gaming.

The system is compatible with Region 2 DVD, CD, USB 2.0 and SD Card media. Compatible formats are DVD playback 4.3 and 1.69, MPEG2, MPEG 4, DivX, MP3 CD, MP3 DVD, photo CD JPEG, DVD video, Video CD (VCD) and Super Video CD (SVCD). Premium ICE package provided as standard on SE-L versions of the RX 350 and RX 400h. It is offered as an option on all other grades, priced £2,200.

May 2011

For the 11th year running, Lexus achieved the highest ranking in the annual J.D. Power and Associates customer satisfaction study. The Lexus IS executive saloon achieved the highest overall score – the third time the model has achieved this. The RX luxury SUV was ranked third overall, having claimed the highest overall score in 2010.

What to watch out for

20-04-2011:

Seems to be a problem with inverters on 06/07 models requiring replacement of both ECU and inverter.

11-05-2011:

DO NOT JUMP START. Hybrids should be trickled charged, not jump started (bulletin from Toyota how to do it correctly). If a recovery agent connects jump leads directly to either hybrid battery and then to his battery the sudden charge can damage circuits within the hybrid system (not necessarily the ECU). It seems that not all recovery companies are familiar with the correct jump start process . Damage can be caused which will not be apparent at the time.

30-05-2011:

Reader wrote of 65,000 mile 2005 example: "Rear wheel bearings have failed twice; the headlight swiveling when turning is now non functional; new suspension arms (I do not go cross country nor need to navigate speed bumps); repainting of bonnet underneath grille (twice and is still not satisfactory) and also the paint on the rear hatch is now starting to bleb, besides the alloys showing corrosion after each winter even though the car is pressure washed before garaging."

20-09-2011:

Reports of auxiliary batteries going flat when RC400h models are left standing in airport carparks for two to three weeks. Good idea to trickle charge these batteries the night before you drive to the airport.

01-01-2012:

Rear quarterlight trim prone to falling off. Replacement costs £170 because trim and quaterlight glass can only be bought together.

05-11-2012:

Brake disc and pad life as low as 15,000 miles not uncommon, especially the rears because the regenerative system means that the rear brakes do very little work, so overnight corrosion is not cleaned off.

18-05-2014:

On a 2007 Lexus RX400h, hybrid battery pack failed at 7 years old and 76,000 miles. Cost £3,000 to replace.

27-01-2015:

On Lexus RX400h more than 8 years old. front lower control arm bushes often need replacing and the easiess way is to replace the whole control arms.

17-01-2016:

Report of leak into hybrid battery compartment of Lexus RX400h costing £1,630 to remedy. There was a TSB about tis in 2009.

23-12-2019:

Report of catalytic converter thefts from 2006, 2007 and 2008 Lexus RX400H for the platinum inside.