2006 Lexus RX 400h

What's it like to drive? Wonderful—although different when the engine is really cold as the 400h will often just start off in electric mode, which is practically silent. Acceleration is immediate. When more power is needed, MG1 (the smallest of the three electric motors) works like a starter to kick over the 3.3-liter V6.


If more oomph is required, the second electric motor, MG2, adds in even more power to the front axle and if needed can help motivate the 400h with the V6 shut off. Thankfully, the hybrid system makes all these kinds of decisions for you. Finally, if even more go is desired, the third engine, MGR (gotcha!), provides torque to the rear axle.


Put your foot deep into the gas pedal and you get a whopping burst of power, courtesy of the V6 and two powerful motors. Even at highway cruising speeds, the added thrust is impressive and immediate, making the RX 400h more than a match for most of its V8-powered competition.


The RX 400h is as muscular as it is butter smooth (it is a Lexus, after all), courtesy of the continuously-variable CVT automatic transmission that replaces traditional gears and basically just holds the engine steady at the ideal RPM for power, economy or whatever you're demanding. It's surprising at first—almost like a jet engine that spools up quickly and then just stays at the same pitch as you go faster and faster—but you quickly get used to the addicting wave of power.


So not only does the 400h make a lot of power, but the CVT makes sure you can stay in the meat of the powerband at all times. If there is a fly in the ointment, it's that the 400h weighs about 300 pounds more than the 330, so it loses some of the nimbleness of the non-hybrid model. However, if you do get in over your head, you'll be glad to know that the 400h features Lexus' new VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management) system that goes beyond traditional stability programs and actually anticipates vehicle instability and seamlessly makes corrections.