Lexus RX 400h Executive

Hybrid. A future that we are still a little afraid of. If I offer you the (infamous) Lexus RX 400h keys, you will probably go pale at first and then ask in awe, “How does it work? Will I be able to drive it at all? What if he refuses to obey? “You shouldn't blush because of these questions, as we also asked ourselves in the Auto store. Since there are no stupid questions, only the answers can be meaningless, let's move on to a short explanation.

Toyota is one of the leading car manufacturers with quite a few hybrid vehicles in its regular offering. Just think of the award-winning, albeit not the prettiest, Prius. And if we look at Lexus as Nadtoyoto, a prestigious brand that offers, above all, excellent build quality, luxury and prestige, then we cannot miss the RX 400h version. Of course, first you need to know that the RX 400h is already a real old man: it was presented as a prototype in Geneva in 2004 and in the same year in Paris as a production version. So why do big tests on a machine that is three years old? Because the RX is very well received by buyers, because Lexus recently came to life in Slovenia, and because it (still) has so much new technology that there is always not enough space to describe all the innovations.

The functioning of the Lexus RX 400h can be described in several sentences. In addition to the 3-liter (3 kW) V6 petrol engine, it has two electric motors. The more powerful (155 kW) helps the gasoline engine to drive the front wheelset, while the weaker one (123 kW) powers the rear pair. This is mainly four-wheel drive, although we advise you not to rush on overly demanding tracks. The gearbox is countless automatic: you press D and the car goes forward, switch to R and the car goes back. And one more nuance: absolutely nothing will happen at startup.

At first, there will be an unpleasant silence (if you do not take into account the curses of the uneducated, who say why it does not work), but after several days of use it will become very pleasant. The word “Ready” on the left scale, which is the tachometer on other vehicles and the power draw on the Lexus RX 400h, means the vehicle is ready to go. Usually, electric motors operate only at low speeds and moderate gas (city driving), and above 50 km / h, a classic gasoline internal combustion engine always comes to the rescue. So, very briefly: if you understand the initial silence and that you don't need to do anything other than pressing the accelerator pedal while driving, I wish you a happy ride. It's simple, right?

It's the ease of use and great performance that makes you wonder why this technology isn't on the roads anymore if it works so well? The answer is, of course, simple. Due to insufficient battery capacity, costly technology (sadly, we don't know about maintenance, but we would be happy to test the car more thoroughly at 100 super test kilometers), and the widespread theory that such hybrids are just a step towards the ultimate goal - fuel. cell cars. Under the back seat, the Lexus RX 400h has a 69kg air-cooled high-voltage NiMh battery that powers both the front (which spins at up to 12.400 rpm) and rear electric motor (10.752 rpm).

If we hadn't measured the boot volume of comparable competitors (Mercedes-Benz ML 550L, Volvo XC90 485L), Lexus would easily mislead us that its base 490L boot is one of the largest. However, with the rear bench folded down (the rear seats fold down independently, the middle backrest is also movable) it can hold up to 2.130 liters, which is even more than the much larger Audi Q7. The already quiet and elegant V6 petrol engine (24 valves, four camshafts with VVT-i system) is equipped with two more electric motors.

Between the front water-cooled brushless synchronous motor and the gasoline engine is a generator and two planetary gearboxes. The generator is designed to generate electricity to charge the battery, but it is also used to start a gasoline engine and to drive one of the transmissions mentioned, which in this combination acts as a low-speed automatic transmission. Another planetary gearbox only cares about lowering the high speed of the drive motor.

Both electric motors can also work in the opposite direction. In this way, energy is regenerated during braking, i.e. (again) converted into electricity and stored, which of course reduces energy consumption. The power steering and A/C compressor are electric – the former to save fuel and the latter to keep the air conditioning running even when the car is powered by electric motors. Therefore, it is not surprising that the average test consumption was 13 liters. Are you saying there's still a lot? Think about the fact that the RX 400h basically has a 3 liter petrol engine and loads almost two tons. A comparable Mercedes-Benz ML 3 consumes 350 liters per 16 kilometers. With a more moderate right foot, consumption would probably be around 4 liters, not forgetting even the slight pollution that a hybrid Lexus boasts.

While we were in awe of the technology, we were a little disappointed with the ride quality. The electric power steering is too indirect and the chassis is too soft to enjoy corners. The RX 400h will appeal only to those who drive quietly, preferably only on an electric motor, and listen to the high-quality music offered by the exquisitely soundproofed Lexus interior. Otherwise, the softer frame will irritate your stomach and your other half and tire your already sweaty palms.

Some people like wooden steering wheel accessories, but they don't like them at all if you have to struggle to keep your car on the road. The unpleasant feature of the Lexus RX 400h is that when throttle is fully open from a closed corner, it behaves like a front wheel drive car (which it actually is, since it has significantly more power at the front wheelset than at the rear). Because of the powerful engine (hmm, sorry, engines), it "pulls" the steering wheel out of hand a little, and the inner wheel wants to get out of the corner, and not the outer one, before the stabilization electronics intervenes. Thus, the test Lexus did not receive any encouraging marks for driving dynamics, as it makes you feel like you are driving an old giant off American roads. Damn, that's all!

Of course, we liked not only the silence and the first-class musical performance, but also the equipment. There was no shortage of leather, wood and electricity in the test car (adjustable and optional heated seats, an all-directional steering wheel, sunroof, opening and closing of the tailgate with a button), as well as electronic devices (camera for easy reversing , navigation) and the possibility of careful regulation of internal conditions (two-stage automatic air conditioning). Do not forget about the xenon headlights, which automatically shine when turning (15 degrees to the left and five degrees to the right). To be precise, the RX 400h doesn't offer anything new, but a calm driver will feel good in it. In particular, it can be said.

Among the many similar cars (read ML, XC90, Q7, etc.), the Lexus RX 400h is a real special car. Although you ever thought that in the dark a Mercedes-Benz, Audi and even a Volvo behind the wheel is a scoundrel, as the locals say, a bandit, you never attribute this to the driver of the Lexus. And to be honest, hybrids are also not so interesting for car dads, since electricity has no future in the south and east. So, carefree sleep can be safely attributed to one of the pluses.

Alyosha Mrak, photo: Aleш Pavleti.

Lexus RX 400h Executive

Basic data

Sales:	Toyota Adria Ltd.
Base model price:	64.500 €
Test model cost:	70.650 €
Power:	200kW (272 KM)
Acceleration (0-100 km / h):	7,9 with
Maximum speed:	204 km / h
Mixed flow ECE:	13,3l / 100km
Guarantee:	Total 3 years or 100.000 5 km warranty, 100.000 years or 3 3 km warranty for hybrid components, 12 years mobile warranty, XNUMX years paint warranty, XNUMX years anti-rust warranty.
Oil change every	15.000 km
Systematic review	15.000 km

Cost (up to 100.000 km or five years)

Regular services, works, materials:	974 €
Fuel:	14.084 €
Tires (1)	2.510 €
Loss of value (within 5 years):	29.350 €
Compulsory insurance:	4.616 €
CASCO INSURANCE (+ B, K), AO, AO +	10.475 (
Calculate the cost of auto insurance
Buy up	€ 62.009 0,62 (km cost: XNUMX €)

Technical information

engine:	6-cylinder - 4-stroke - in-line - petrol - front mounted transversely - bore and stroke 92,0 × 83,0 mm - displacement 3.313 cm3 - compression 10,8:1 - maximum power 155 kW (211 hp) .) at 5.600 rpm - average piston speed at maximum power 15,5 m / s - specific power 46,8 kW / l (63,7 hp / l) - maximum torque 288 Nm at 4.400 rpm min - 2 camshafts in the head (timing belt)) - 4 valves per cylinder - multipoint injection - electric motor on the front axle: permanent magnet synchronous motor - rated voltage 650 V - maximum power 123 kW (167 hp) at 4.500 rpm / min - maximum torque 333 Nm at 0-1.500 rpm - electric motor on the rear axle : permanent magnet synchronous motor - rated voltage 650 V - maximum power 50 kW (68 hp - capacity 4.610 Ah.
Energy transfer:	motors drive all four wheels - electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission (E-CVT) with planetary gear - 7J × 18 wheels - 235/55 R 18 H tires, rolling range 2,16 m.
Capacity:	top speed 200 km / h - acceleration 0-100 km / h in 7,6 s - fuel consumption (ECE) 9,1 / 7,6 / 8,1 l / 100 km.
Transportation and suspension:	SUV - 5 doors, 5 seats - self-supporting body - front auxiliary frame, individual suspensions, spring struts, triangular cross beams, stabilizer - rear auxiliary frame, individual suspensions, multi-link axle, leaf springs, stabilizer - front disc brakes (forced cooling), rear disc, parking mechanical brake on the rear wheels (leftmost pedal) - rack and pinion steering, electric power steering, 2,9 turns between extreme points.
Mass:	empty vehicle 2.075 kg - permissible total weight 2.505 kg - permissible trailer weight 2.000 kg, without brake 700 kg - permissible roof load: no data available.
External dimensions:	vehicle width 1.845 mm - front track 1.580 mm - rear track 1.570 mm - ground clearance 5,7 m.
Inner dimensions:	front width 1.520 mm, rear 1.510 - front seat length 490 mm, rear seat 500 - steering wheel diameter 370 mm - fuel tank 65 l.
Box:	Trunk volume measured with AM standard set of 5 Samsonite suitcases (total 278,5 L): 5 places: 1 × backpack (20 L); 1 × aviation suitcase (36 l); 1 suitcase (85,5 l), 2 suitcases (68,5 l)

Our measurements

T = 3 ° C / p = 1.040 mbar / rel. Owner: 63% / Tires: Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25 235/55 / ​​R 18 H / Meter reading: 7.917 km
Acceleration 0-100km:	7,9s
402m from the city:	15,9 years ( 147 km / h)
1000m from the city:	28,6 years ( 185 km / h)
Maximum speed:	204km / h (D)
Minimum consumption:	9,1l / 100km
Maximum consumption:	17,6l / 100km
test consumption:	13,3 l / 100km
Braking distance at 130 km / h:	75,3m
Braking distance at 100 km / h:	44,5m
AM table:	42m
Test errors:	unmistakable

Overall rating (352/420)

• We expected lower fuel consumption, but ten liters are still available for moderate driving. The Lexus RX 400h boasts superb power, so don't underestimate the hybrid in the passing lane. You better get away from him.

• Exterior (14/15)

  Recognizable and well done. Maybe not the most beautiful, but this is already a matter of taste.

• Interior (119/140)

  Spacious, with a lot of equipment and an excellent level of comfort, but also with some drawbacks (heated seat buttons ().

• Engine, transmission (39
  
  
  / 40)

  When it comes to motors, be it a gasoline or two electric motors, only the best.

• Driving performance (70
  
  
  / 95)

  His years are best known for his position on the road. It was intended primarily for the US market.

• Performance (31/35)

  Recorder accelerator, very average in maximum speed.

• Security (39/45)

  Active and passive safety is another Lexus name.

• Economy

  The fuel consumption of a two-ton car is low, and the price is high.

We praise and reproach

a combination of a classic motor and an electric motor

ease of use

fuel consumption

quiet work

workmanship

Rear View Camera

image

the car is mostly old

price

chassis is too soft

too indirect power steering

smaller main trunk

it has no daytime running lights