hybrid safety ratings

Lexus RX 400h Hybrid Features

With all the high gas prices out there, hybrid vehicles are continuing to become more popular among drivers. There are a few luxury hybrid choices out there, and the Lexus Hybrid 400h Hybrid seems to be the most popular of those choices. Check out some of the features of the Lexus Hybrid 400h Hybrid and what sets itself apart from the other hybrids.

The Lexus Hybrid 400h hybrid looks nice on the outside and cushy on the inside, but how does this SUV handle? According to Toyota, superbly. As with every other hybrid, the Lexus RX 400h Hybrid has two engines - gasoline and electric - that function together or separately. This is where the fuel-efficiency comes in. The way the motors work in tandem makes some people think that all vehicles should be hybrid. They could be right.

The gas engine is a 3.3 liter V6 like the one found in the RX 350. With a combined 268 horsepower output when used in conjunction with the electric motor, this SUV kicks butt with gasoline conservation. This is a definite plus with gas prices being so high. The electric motor in the front operate optimally under regular driving conditions, and the electric motor in the rear kicks in when the pedal is to the metal in full-throttle acceleration.

The gasoline engine switches off whenever you slow down, is traveling at a low speed or is idling. This is when the electric motor takes over. With a built in Ni-MH battery, there is plenty of energy to run the SUV as well as store electricity that is produced when the vehicle brakes. It's also very helpful when the vehicle speeds up. The Lexus RX 400h Hybrid can reach 60 miles per hour in 8 seconds. Most other SUVs cannot do that and the Lexus is doing it with an electric motor. It is also consuming the same amount of gasoline as a compact four cylinder car. Hence the ability to get a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle designation in the United States.

The low emissions are what qualified the vehicle to receive a 4 star rating. It produces 75% less emissions than most of the standard comparable crossovers. It is also certified to get 26 miles per gallon in the city and 24 miles per gallon on the highway. Why? The electric motor kicks in during city driving and the breaking and decelerating produces energy that is stored in the batteries.

Zero to sixty-two miles per hour can be reached in 7.6 seconds and the top speed the Lexus RX 400h Hybrid can reach is 124 miles per hour. The engines are quiet and consumers may wonder if their vehicle is even running. Ride and handling is fine on the blacktop and it lives up to the reputation the standard version has earned. This SUV is luxury defined and a comfortable ride for all. Yes, the handling could be better, but then most SUVs do not handle very well anyway. Overall the vehicle is an excellent choice with an off-road 4x4 system.

Lexus' are highly reliable vehicles and they have managed to live up to their high-quality and luxury name. Even though the hybrid has been around since 2005, there have been no production setbacks or problems related to the vehicle. The way it's designed lends credence to the fact that there may never be any manufacturing setbacks.

Safety features are included with the standard dual front airbags, side bags, head curtain side bags and driver knee airbags. In crash tests, the Lexus RX 400h Hybrid received 5 stars, the highest rating a vehicle can get, in side impact and head on collisions. The Four-Wheel drive suspension the controls the vehicles height varies with the driving conditions, a nice and unique feature. At 62 mph, the vehicle lowers by 0.3 inches when driving normally. In low mode it can shrink more, another 0.6 inches and 1.2 inches for easier passenger access when in access mode.

Surprisingly enough you would think that this hybrid would be sitting way up there with a big price tag. It's a hybrid. It's an SUV. It's a Lexus. $50,000? No. The Lexus RX 400h Hybrid starts at $39,000 and peaks in price at $46,000. And that depends on the model year, release specifications, and other bells and whistles that may have been already added.

If you want to look into a hybrid SUV that is not going to kill you on monthly payments but ease you gasoline burden without sacrificing luxury and quality, then the Lexus RX 400h Hybrid is the one for you. There is plenty of cargo space to haul things, great interior perks, and a lot of room. For the most part, this luxury SUV crossover is worth the money.