Lexus RXh: 1st Generation

Easily, my favorite car magazine feature is the long-term test, where the magazines various writers and editors spend twelve months behind the wheel of a car then share the results.

Well, not satisfied with a single year, Car & Driver enjoyed a two year-long visit with the RX 400h. The magazine's staff managed to put 40,000 miles on the SUV in that time, which gave them plenty of road to find out all of the vehicle's low points:

To many drivers the transition from purely electric to gas and electric power wasn’t always smooth, and the amount of added power delivered was unpredictable. Many also felt a lurch and heard a clunking sound when the gas engine kicked in when the vehicle was at a complete stop. Most drivers thought that a $50,000 Lexus should behave more smoothly.

The regenerative braking system got gripes, too. The transition from regenerative to hydraulic braking was often disconcerting because a small increase in pressure on the brake pedal might produce a huge increase in deceleration. Drivers complained that when they began to press lightly on the brake pedal, the RX seemed to surge a bit, causing the knee-jerk reaction of applying more braking than intended. This was especially apparent in city driving at moderate to low speeds. All the Lexus service guys could do was tell us, “That’s just the way they work.”

These issues, along with the rather obligatory cost breakdown of a hybrid versus its traditional engine counterpart (it would take 91,000 miles before the 400h would justify its $3,800 premium over the RX 350), doesn't really build a strong case for the hybrid. Unless you're feeling incredibly guilty about your carbon output, stick with the RX 350.

While I have strong doubts that Lexus will ever release a RX Wagoneer edition, one 400h owner isn't about to wait to see. Discovered by Autoblog.it, this one-off wooden body kit was created by Italian tuner firm Castagna Milano for someone very rich and equally eco-obsessed:

Most of the reactions to this unique body modification are decidedly negative, but I'm not sure I share that opinion (I've always had a soft spot for the Wagoneer). With the RX model being Lexus' most ubiquitous, it's a real challenge to stand out in the crowd, and that's certainly not going to be a problem here.

Click Read More for some additional shots, including a photo of the fully customized interior.

[Source: Autoblog.it]

For higher resolution photos, visit the Autoblog.it gallery.

Both of Lexus' current RX models ranked in the top four of Consumer Reports latest SUV rankings, with the RX400h coming in second and the RX350 tying the Acura MDX for third.

Considering that the Highlander Hybrid took the number one spot, Toyota practically swept the Consumer Reports rankings. Not a bad result, though they did have the unfair advantage of two incredibly similar vehicles in the race.

[Source: The Auto Channel]