Lexus RX 400h Hybrid Overview

Did you know that the Lexus was mass-produced by Toyota, the Japanese Motor Company that makes Corollas and Highlanders? Well they do and they come in second only to Ford Motor Company's Escape Hybrid vehicle. The Lexus RX 400h Hybrid is the Lexus 350 with a newly designed electric motor. It has also been labeled as the very first luxury hybrid car in the world. That's not saying that it was the first hybrid, just the first luxury hybrid. Lexus' have a reputation of being affordable luxury cars and their SUVs do not slack in that department either.

The Lexus RX 400h Hybrid can definitely hold its own against the competition. J.D. Power and Associates rated it among one of four SUVs for being recognized as part of the Automotive Environmental Index in 2006. This index rates the top thirty vehicles that are environmentally friendly and green. They also recognize the fuel-efficient hybrid as one of the top luxury vehicles for its Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout Study in 2005. With so many people being concerned about emissions, damage to the ozone layer, and global warming, the Lexus RX 400h Hybrid is a great choice for a hybrid SUV.

This hybrid was actually rolled out in January 2004 at the North American International Auto Show a few months after the Ford Escape Hybrid was introduced. The Escape was so well received that it was a no-brainer that the Lexus RX 400h Hybrid would be received just as well. It was an immediate hit and the Escape suddenly found itself a competitor. Plus, Lexus is Toyota's high end product so fans of the vehicle expected it to be elegant and appealing.

This SUV has been described as "handsome". It's been geared to attract executives who are environmentally savvy. It is a middle-sized luxury SUV hybrid that is sophisticated and definitely trying to get the attention of the upper class. The 2008 model of the Lexus RX 400h Hybrid has a few updates, namely chrome door handles, a new front grill, rear spoiler, and shiny 18 inch wheels. This is the first time Toyota and Lexus ever designed and developed a vehicle that was geared for a particular financial class.

This SUV was designed and developed to go up against other SUVs such as the BMW X3, the Hummer H3, Acura RDX, Land Rover LR3, Infiniti FX35/FX45, Mercury Mariner, Volvo XC90, and the Mercedes-Benz ML-Class. Talk about your serious competition. Fuel-efficient with its own attractive features, the Lexus RX 400h Hybrid is definitely one of the best on the consumer market.

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