Lexus RX400h

The idea is great and all in all its not a bad car and goes like stink but it handles like a whale, has no rear visability and the dashboard plastics look like they were manufactured by fisher price in the eighties which would be fine if it were a kids toy or budget car but it is not. In terms of quality it is a very long way away from the Germans my 1989 Audi 90 had more of an air of prestige.

I could recommend as a cheap second hand buy, but do not expect Merc/Audi levels of quality

I have purchased 3 Lexus cars in the last 5 years. The last one being an RX400. My car died over night in the middle of snow. Could not start the car and had to call AAA to jump start. And No I did not leave he lights or anythign else on. Took the car to dealer and they said there is nothing wrong with it. How could it be, I asked. I was stranded with a small kid in the snow and they tell me there is nothing wrong with it? Called the Lexus 800 number to cmplain, the guy did not want to listen to my issue. So much for customer friendly. I Dont recommend this car based on my experience The battery is too small for this hybrid. No more Lexus for me. They just lost a loyal cusotme.

There were so few reviews about this Lexus RX400h car when I was looking to buy one I promised myself I would add one when I had sufficient experience of the one I eventually bought to give other prospective customers an overiew!

I have had many 4x4s and many sports cars and can honestly say this one covers all ground. It is very quick, handles pretty well for the type of vehicle it is, has great economy as I spend much time in traffic and it's company car tax bracket makes it unbeatable value.

Not cheap to buy and fuel consumption is still a little heavy, especially if you like to use the power but driven carefully it is very frugal for the size it is. Long downhill descents can catch you off guard in normal drive mode as there is no engine resistance and front torque on full throttle has to be respected!

Highly recommended and the dealers are second to none.

Fast OR frugal--the choice is yours! With a 0 to 60 time around 7seconds it leaves most 4X4s for dead.(My other car is a new Bentley Continental GT and this Lexus is not shamed by it!). Take it easy and flow with the traffic and 40mpg is there for the taking. My best has been 42mpg over 80 miles.

AND, as is essential for a luxury vehicle, it is Automatic and uses petrol. As the mags say, quite a phenomenon.

We have owned most large 4X4s right up to the latest Range Rover. If you are aiming to genuinely go off road, buy a Landcruiser or a Land Rover.

If you are using it as a road car, the 400h is simply unbeatable.

Torque steer has to be respected if you are putting all its power down. More choice of wood veneers could help. More dealerships would also help(fat chance in this recession though!).