2006 Lexus RX 400h

Hybrids. They're all the rage. Perhaps the biggest trend since the invention of the SUV, few things have caught the imagination of the car-buying public as much as the combination of gasoline and electric power.


You have to give a tip of the hat to Toyota for being the leader in hybrid technology. It started with the first-generation Prius, which technically was quite interesting, but the performance was lacking. It became the darling of the green set, as well as a Hollywood celebrity. The recently introduced second-generation Prius is much more a real car, and the demand has far outstripped supply.


While the latest Prius is a stellar car, it does beg a question: Couldn't you just buy a thrifty, similar-sized, typical gasoline-engine small car? Fuel economy in most small cars is pretty darn good these days, and you also pay a nice premium over comparable cars to get a hybrid. So, outside of making a statement or just enjoying the technology, the financial and ecological reality really isn't there.

Styling

Where does the idea of hybrids start making real sense? Big vehicles. Especially SUVs. Americans love their SUVs, but many of them are thirsty, and with the way gas prices have been going, it seems logical that a fuel-efficient—and still powerful—SUV might be the way to go.


Well, those clever folks at Toyota noticed this need and decided to take their luxury division's Lexus RX 330 up a notch to create the first luxury hybrid SUV. Actually, the RX is a pretty good choice. The original RX 300 created the "crossover" luxury vehicle, combining car-like ride and handling with sport utility benefits, when it was introduced in 1999. They introduced a larger, more powerful and goody-laden Lexus RX 330 in 2004.