2008 Lexus RX 400h: User Reviews

2008 Lexus RX 400h AWD Picture
MSRP:
$42,080 - $43,480
Invoice:
$37,449 - $38,695
User Reviews:
13 reviews
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Love the 2009 300h

by Morna from Knoxville, Tennessee (9/21/08)
Pros:Averaging 28.4 on every tank! Love the gas mileage & nav system & back up camera.

I actually have a 2009 400h, which I bought to replace my 2004 Lexus 330, which I loved. I am even happier with my new hybrid.

5 out of 12 people found this review helpful
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Still filling up the tank -- but not as often!

by Kim from Chicago (9/21/08)
Pros:Mediocre full economy, compared to what I expected. Frustrating to say the least.
Cons:Ride is exactly what I expected, having had an RX300 before. Amenity changes have been huge tho!

A Lexus owner for years, I bought one of the first 400h available in Chicago, having preordered it almost 2 years in advance. I have been really happy with it, outside of the issues with mileage -- not at all what I expected or had hoped for, and I find voice commands to be a challenge as well, they are much better in my husband's BMW. Wind noise is odd yes, I have found you need to keep a balance between window openings and that will be fixed. Other than that, I would buy this car again, it is a perfect city SUV, nimble, quick, and quietly elegant.

8 out of 13 people found this review helpful
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Great car for family

by Sarah from Prairie Village, KS (7/01/08)
Pros:nimble, comfortable, well-designed, efficient
Cons:expensive

I have put 4400 miles on my 2008 400h since purchasing 6 months ago.

Overall, we're very happy with the car as a family vehicle. Our infant's car seat is a bit squeezed in the backseat (cannot maintain full legroom up front and fit the seat behind), but we've been happy with the overall size as a smaller alternative to a big SUV. The brakes have a whirring sound as you come to a stop, but on the otherhand it is exceptionally quiet when in electric mode, to the point that people are unaware of a car moving sometimes in parking lots. I have not experienced the wind noise that other reviewers comment on (and it's especially quiet compared to previous SUVs I've driven - Trailblazer, Yukon and Suburban).

I really like the moveable center console, individual armrests, navigation system (backup camera) and styling.

On the cons, after the first free oil change experience, I think the Lexus oil changes are a complete ripoff, and will be using a Toyota dealer instead for those.

All in all, I would buy this car again.

41 out of 96 people found this review helpful
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Amazing Vehicle in Every Facet

by Josh from New Milford, CT (6/24/08)
Pros:Amazing fuel economy (27.7 to 30.4 mpg), great acceleration, comfortable, great-looking
Cons:Bluetooth, stereo system, cornering

The Good:
The Lexus RX 400h is an amazing vehicle. Its classy looks and high performance are immediate draws. Surprising acceleration and fantastic fuel economy are the main draws, while added side benefits like rearview camera, rotating headlights, headlight washers, lighted door sills, etc. are great bonuses. There is also an engine brake that accelerates your battery charge and decreases brake usage. The suspension in this SUV mirrors that of a luxury car and offers the smoothest ride I have encountered so far.

The Bad:
The Bluetooth on the car is nice to have, but I will often drop calls when call waiting is activated (e.g. on the phone with one person, another calls, both calls are terminated simultaneously). The stereo itself is likely more than any person would need, but comes across unimpressive to ardent music enthusists. More speakers, deeper sound and better satellite radio options would help this complaint (note: I do not have the Mark Levinson audio system) Aside from that the car weighs nearly 2.5 tons (gross weight), so it does not handle like my G35 when cornering at higher speeds!

The Ugly:
BEWARE: Upkeep on this vehicle (like most luxury vehicles) is very pricey at the dealer. Consider this when preparing your vehicle comparison log.

The Verdict:
I would be more than happy to re-purchase this vehicle if given the opportunity to turn back time. Its benefits vastly outweigh its nitpicky improvement opportunities. I look forward to future purchases of Lexus RXs when the time is appropriate for a new vehicle.

45 out of 99 people found this review helpful
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2008 RX 400h AWD excellent, fun, fuel efficient!

by TJG from Naperville, IL (4/07/08)
Pros:Fuel economy is pretty good (w/Michelin Energy MX tires): 28mpg+ in town; 26mpg avg.
Cons:Control knobs for seat heaters could be bigger. No other cons.

2008 RX 400h is an improvement from our 2006 model which had 37K miles. The RX usually comes with Goodyear RSA tires, which are sporty, noisey and somewhat hard. Negotiated for Michelin Energy MX tires - these improve the ride, quietness, mpg by as much as 12%(!) while using 87 octane, and wear better by 50% more.

Wood trim appointments add to a luxurious interior. The GPS and computer have also been upgraded in 2008 for better navigation accuracy. General usage is more intuitive.

Power is adequate and passing capability is excellent. Some engine whine when accelerating (b/c of the continuously variable transmission), but otherwise very quiet.

Overall, the 2008 RX 400h AWD is an excellent vehicle that is fun to drive.

51 out of 99 people found this review helpful
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Not so impressed

by Lauren A. from Greenwood Village, CO (3/18/08)
Pros:Appearance, interior styling and safety feaures
Cons:wind noise, poor backseat leg room, blah gas mileage in CO - even for a non-lead foot

I had waited to buy my 400H until I thought Lexus had kinks worked out with the 400H, but I feel I was premature in my purchase.

There is a lot of wind noise and I've had the door seals replaced twice - no change. I noticed this wind noise was also present in several of the loaner RX vehicles my dealership provided, but not in the sedans.

I average 23 city/26 hwy, and I drive 30-35 mph city and 45-55 hwy (yes, really). If I'd have known that the hills, cold weather and short-in-town driving would prevent me from attaining the advertised mileage I would have not chosen this car.

With the dissappointing gas mileage, I feel like the 51K shelled out for this car with all the upgrades bought an elitist status symbol as opposed to a luxury car that really lessens my carbon tiretread. Ultimately, I'd rather have put that money into a photovoltic roof system and waited until the new BMW hydrogen sedan came out in 2009/2010. I'll have to take solace in the fact that it does produce lower emissions and my car fits right in with all of my neighbors' cars except I overpaid.

51 out of 96 people found this review helpful
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Great Car

by Kev (3/01/08)

Lexus got it right! Beautiful styling, great, ride, (I fit in it). My wife loves her new car.

56 out of 108 people found this review helpful
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Love My Lexus

by Trish Trogdon from Kistler WV (2/28/08)
Pros:Great Navigation System

I purchased my Lexus last year and I absolutely love everything about it. My navigation system tells me everything from when to change the oil, where I going and when I'm using fuel or battery, the cell phone is complatible, making it hads free. I wouldn't have anything else. Comfort is top of the line and the DVD system keeps the kids happy while traveling. The only negative is the XM Radio, when it is installed you have to have the extra antenna it should come standard on all Lexus vehicles.

42 out of 97 people found this review helpful
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Lexus makes a car

by Robert Ng from Singapore (2/22/08)
Pros:done 36K in 15months. consumption avg 8.5 to 9 litre per 100km, super pickup, very quiet,
Cons:no complaints.

loved this car. mine is a 2007 model. had a Toyota harrier before this but there is no comparison. So far, there is nothing to complaint about this car. Hope the fuel comsumption will remain as good for years to come.

43 out of 93 people found this review helpful
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Manage your expectations

by MadnessofCrowds from Los Angeles, CA (1/19/08)
Pros:Styling, fuel economy
Cons:Ride is too soft; interior rattles; poor stereo; too much road noise; counter-intuitive navi system

After driving this car for a month, I'm pretty disappointed in the road noise, handling, interior rattles, stereo quality and navigation system.

The styling and fuel economy are nice, but I expected more from this car relative to other luxury SUVs.

Note: I've owned a BMW X-5, Jeep Grand Cherokee and still own a Range Rover HSE and Mercedes CLK320. I'd rate this car at the top in terms of fuel economy, but at the bottom on almost all other categories. Handling and road noise are substandard, for sure.

54 out of 104 people found this review helpful
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