2008 Lexus RX 400h Consumer Reviews

Poor gas mileage

Written by: jfinley on 10/17/2009

Vehicle

2008 Lexus RX 400h 4dr SUV AWD (3.3L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

This is a very nice car, but I challenge anyone out there to prove they are getting better than 22-24 mpg. Better, I challenge Lexus to prove it. My fiend with a V8 truck gets better mpg. Shame on you Lexus, shame on me for buying.

Favorite Features

ride quality

Suggested Improvements

mpg, nav

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Combination of fun and milage

Written by: Dr Var on 08/31/2009

Vehicle

2008 Lexus RX 400h 4dr SUV AWD (3.3L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

Great for long rides and everyday drives. Absolutely love the feeling of CVT and can see the vehicles on the other lanes disappear in my mirrors with out the feeling of gear change.

Favorite Features

Fuel economy, ride quality and CVT.

Suggested Improvements

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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2008 Lexus Rx400h Review

Written by: cduluk on 06/24/2009

Vehicle

2008 Lexus RX 400h 4dr SUV AWD (3.3L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

Purchased a used 2008 Rx400h AWD a few weeks ago with about 40k miles. I had a 2003 Lexus Rx300 which was nice, but I needed an upgrade. The Rx400h is definitely an upgrade as it has many nice features. The 0-60 time of ~7 sec is very good for a v6 SUV, and the acceleration is very quick. My only complaints are the lack in seat comfort and lack of advertised gas mileage. I'm getting around 23mpg combined vs the 30 as advertised. Also the fact that the car doesn't have the new "smart key" feature as the rest of the 08 Lexus lineup has. But other than that, i am very satisfied!

Favorite Features

Automatic rain sensing wipers, larger HD navigation screen, back-up camera, AFS turning HID headlights, power rear liftgate, Bluetooth system, voice activation, telescoping steering wheel, quick acceleration in times of need, the fact that it's silent under 20mph!

Suggested Improvements

better mpg, nav being able to be used while driving, comfortable seats, better voice activation with more commands, more exterior color options (no dark blue??)

13 out 14 people found this review helpful

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A Luxury SUV with Great Gas Mileage

Written by: Peter M. on 05/11/2009

Vehicle

2008 Lexus RX 400h 4dr SUV AWD (3.3L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

This is an incredible car, granted it is expensive, but well worth every penny. I don't understand the complaints about gas mileage. With a little coaching from the onboard "consumption" feature in the navigation system I am routinely getting between 29 and 30 mpg. 24-26 is a high speed highway average, 28-30 around town, and 30-33 in stop and go driving.

Favorite Features

Hybrid engine with lots of zip and great mileage, steering and suspension makes this SUV feel like a sports car, luxury interior looks and feels great, seats that have the heating feature in both the seat and lower back. Automatic tailgate is a great convenience.

Suggested Improvements

Heating and air conditioning should have a fan where you can set the fan speed yourself, although I'm getting used to the car making me very comfortable automatically without adjusting anything.

10 out 11 people found this review helpful

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Great performance and mileage!

Written by: DHENRY on 04/04/2009

Vehicle

2008 Lexus RX 400h 4dr SUV AWD (3.3L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

Broke this car in on a trip through the mountains. At 200 miles, it averaged 25.1 MPG, 72 MPH. Town driving at average 27 to 29 MPG. Latest trip (Interstate and mountains) averaged 26.1 MPG., again at 72 MPH. Acceleration is both excellent and fun. This is our third Lexus (2nd RX) and it's by far the best. If your gas mileage isn't AT LEAST as good as the EPA estimate, work on modifying your driving style. Build quality for this Japanese-built example is flawless, and dealer (Classic Lexus) is extremely 'hybrid knowledgeable'.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

10 out 12 people found this review helpful

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I Love This Car

Written by: Peter Milewski on 04/01/2009

Vehicle

2008 Lexus RX 400h 4dr SUV AWD (3.3L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

This is an SUV that rides and performs like a luxury sedan. It also gets great mileage. I averaged 27 mpg for my first 1000 miles and over 30 mpg on my daily stop and go commute into Boston. I am tall and this is the first car that makes me feel comfortable getting in and out of the drivers seat. The car has every bell and whistle you could want and some you may never use. I love this car!

Favorite Features

Luxurious and comfortable interior, spectacular gas mileage, stylish exterior design, incredible handling.

Suggested Improvements

None

5 out 7 people found this review helpful

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Great Investment

Written by: dgmarnp on 02/28/2009

Vehicle

2008 Lexus RX 400h 4dr SUV (3.3L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

Having owned my RX400H now for over a year, I can say that is a fantastic vehicle to own and drive. I drive over 1000 miles a month and average 24-28 miles per gallon. If you don't get this type of mileage, you are not driving it the proper way. It took me over a month to get used to the subtle changes you need to make to maximize your fuel economy. It is so quiet for an SUV and very comfortable. Whether I am alone, with my grandchildren, or my parents, everyone raves about the comfort of the ride.

Favorite Features

I don't really have one, but my grandchildren love the integrated Bluetooth phone to talk to their grandfather or parents. My kids like the nav system.

Suggested Improvements

The nav system needs to allow the passenger to change things while the vehicle is in motion. Add option of air-conditioned seats (like my husband's Lexus has) for those of us in a warm climate.

9 out 11 people found this review helpful

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sad

Written by: jfinley on 01/09/2009

Vehicle

2008 Lexus RX 400h 4dr SUV AWD (3.3L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

It is unfortunate that the new Lexus gets nothing near the promised gas mileage. you will be lucky to get 17/22 with the hybrid. I wonder if the non-hybrid gets worse gas mileage? Also, the battery and engine make a lot of noise. The CVT is awkward at best, and not a luxury item. Kinda of like calling a dude ranch luxury hotel. It still a ranch and smells like a ranch no matter how nice the beds. I am not even going to mention my unhappiness with the lockout function on the nav and blue tooth. If I could do over, I would save 15 grand and buy the 350 or the Acura RDX. I feel like such a sucker for buying the "hybrid."

Favorite Features

Auto tail gate

Suggested Improvements

Less noise and better gas mileage

20 out 28 people found this review helpful

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Poor Gas Mileage

Written by: Luke on 01/01/2009

Vehicle

2008 Lexus RX 400h 4dr SUV AWD (3.3L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

We like the SV, but we expected more MPG than 22. The car drives nice and handles nice and of course Toyota quality is everywhere. Just hate the gas mileage for the price we paid.

Favorite Features

The ride is spectacular!

Suggested Improvements

Better MPG!

9 out 13 people found this review helpful

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Exceeded My Expectations

Written by: T Owens on 11/30/2008

Vehicle

2008 Lexus RX 400h 4dr SUV AWD (3.3L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

Extraordinary would be the best word that describes my driving experience in the Lexus RX400h AWD. It came with all the bells and whistles that one would expect from Lexus. The vehicle is exceptionally comfortable, fun, and easy to drive. Although this is my 2nd SUV and 1st hybrid, it is by far superior to the 16.5 MPG Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer that I use to own. What's truly remarkable is the outstanding power performance when you need it, and the equally outstanding fuel economy in stop and go city traffic. Knowing that the 400h is very quiet in the hybrid mode has heightened my situational awareness when people are nearby on foot, as it's almost as loud as an electric golf cart.

Favorite Features

Getting 31 MPH in a 24 MPH expected world. The technology involved in creating this vehicle is remarkable. Everything functions better then the PlaneView Avionics on a Gulfstream G550. Toyota has exceeded my expectations with this puppy. Easy to use, fun to operate, and a thrill to drive.

Suggested Improvements

Variable speed fan on the environmental control system Rather than a multi-speed fan. Coded door entry system, so I would not have to carry a key, that could open the door (s) including the rear door. Navigation system that would allow passenger to program while vehicle is in forward motion.

15 out 16 people found this review helpful

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