MJB

I've got an RX400 SEL on order from Lexus here in London - probably due to delivery in September - but last week I took one out for a test drive.

I am not familiar with the RX300, so don't know how it compares, but here are a few reactions. Sorry, don't have time for a proper, detailed review:-

Extraordinary driving experience. Turn key. Brief (and not very attractive) beep. Great screen graphics show battery in operation. Then silence. Pull away in silence. At about 15mph, petrol engine kicks in - but I was unaware of it till I saw the screen display! Remarkable technology.

Performance - very nippy. Plenty there when you put your foot down.

Petrol engine shuts off again as you brake - but you still don't notice it. Seamless. Amazing.

Very comfortable, but I worry about the leg-room in the back. How do you guys feel about space in the back of your RX300s.


Liked the new grill and light clusters.

Will I still buy it?

Yes, I think so. It's very expensive (£45k for the SEL) yet I feel that Lexus may have cut one or two corners to keep the price "down". E.g. Interior aluminium trim is tacky compared with the wood in my SC430...

Great Levinson hi-fi but I felt that money had been skimped on the DVD and rear-mounted screens. Very cheap.

I could be partly swayed by the result of the London congestion charge decision.

I really liked the hybrid experience - the sense of driving something 'new'.

But is it enough...

Couple of months to make up my mind. Hope to see more reviews!

All the best.

Martin

bizzy928

I am actually suprised as to how much legroom is in the rear of the RX300.
Great review! Although I really appriciate the technology, I still can't justify (myself) the extra cost of a hybrid. I am sure that in time, hybrid technology will be much more cost efficient though!

rx300mm

Thx for the review.
When you mention RX300, in North America we have had two models RX300 and RX330 (re-designed shape, in 2004). RX330 looks similar to RX400h but with 3.3 engine.

chatrathi

As was already mentioned, the rear legroom on the RX300 is more than adequate (even for the 6 footers in our family). So I am a little surprised that it is an issue on the 330. I would have imagined it would be the same or larger.

Also, an unrelated question regarding London's congestion charges. Are hybrid vehicles exempt from any charges? Just curious.

-chatrathi

MJB

Chatrathi: smaller hybids like the Prius are exempt from London's congestion charge. The jury is still out on the RX400 becasue of the size of its petrol engine. Even though it's relatively fuel-efficient and 'clean' it's still a great big petrol engine when its in operation.

Lexus are currently lobbying the London powers that be. Should hear fairly soon.

Thanks for the replies, gentlemen,

All the best,

Martin

jaydunn

RX400 SEL costs 45k pounds. That's $78,381 dollars at today's rate. I just saw one at the local dealer for $48k. Why the huge difference, taxes?

Gojirra99

I think the low US$ plays a part too . . .

dolesun

My regards goes to the folks in London.......

MJB

Thanks Dolesun,

London has been a difficult place since Thursday. Still quite a few people missing. I think the death tole will be closer to 70 or 80 in the end.

Incredibly, London (or rather those of us who haven't lost friends and relatives) seems to be recovering from the shock faster than I had imagined.

Sadly, I think this is becasue we all know that terrorist attacks are now part of life.

Appalling as they are, we have to carry on.

This was probably best evidenced by the extraordinary beahviour of the financial markets.
Remember how 9/11 started a plummet whihc lasted years? The market crash of Thursday was wiped out by Friday. Interesting. And yet tragic.

encore888

^^^
Best wishes to London, and hope that the city will get back up just as the markets have. Profound sympathies for those who lost their lives, and all who were injured. For the victims directly involved and their families, I wish the best in what is certainly a long road to recovery.

Just wondering, did you visit the Lexus of London which is next to the Dorchester Hotel? I liked the Chardonnay Pearl GS I saw there...and I saw 2 RX 400h's in London.

MJB

Hi Enigma.

Thanks for the good wishes.

In fact my RX400 is on order from that very dealership:- Lexus Park Lane.

All the best,

Martin