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Review of the 2008 Lexus RX 400h

2008 Lexus RX 400h

Price Range $42,080 to $43,480

suitable for: Diapers
School
Teens

26 to 27
City MPG

24
Hwy MPG

5 Seats
2 Rows
2 Latch Connectors
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Interior

The inside of the RX 400h is just pretty. Eight-way power controls easily adjust the buttery-soft heated leather seats. A rich wood grain trim creates visual warmth, and a dual climate-control system makes sure everyone in the RX is warm enough. But the entertainment system left me cold. The sound system is adequate but not amazing, and it lacks satellite radio. Also (this is almost unforgivable), there’s no auxiliary jack to hook an iPod or other MP3 player into the stereo system. A color touch-screen provides navigation, audio controls and myriad other settings, but it isn’t the easiest system to figure out. I had to break out the manual, something I rarely have to do, to work the defroster. On the positive side, the Bluetooth link is easy to set up and worked really well for me. Thanks to the hybrid engine, the interior is completely silent at low speeds. In fact, I never got used to the electric engine’s silence. When the V-6 engine cuts in, however, it’s on the loud side, so I guess it averages out.

The backseat of the RX is roomy and comfy for people big and small alike. Three (smallish) booster seats can fit side-by-side, and the seat belts were easy for my little guys to connect. What was less fabulous was how easily my guys bumped their heads on the rear-entertainment system’s screen, which is anchored in the ceiling. That happened more times than it should have. The entertainment system is completely housed in the rear, which means that I can’t load a DVD while I’m driving, and the kids can stick anything into the DVD player without me knowing. That’s scary, right? I did, however, like the rear armrest that not only provides two cupholders, but also a nifty storage area for toys or other small items. There are two small seatback pockets for books, but they’re on the dinky side, so not much else will fit in them. The rear seats also fold easily in a 40/20/40 split, but I couldn’t get them to lie completely flat.

shopping around: At cars.com

key interior: Features

  • Eight-way power front seats
  • Wood grain trim
  • Power tilt/telescoping steering wheel
  • Roll-up cargo cover
  • 3 DC power outlets

available interior: Colors

  • Black
  • Ivory
  • Light Gray
  • Light Gray Black Wood

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