Hybrid cars are on the rise. If a decade ago only the Prius was such, now all the leading companies mass-produce such cars. But how reliable are cars with a gasoline-electric power unit?
Lexus-RX 400h (factory index MHU 38) became the first hybrid officially delivered to Russia. Since 2005, a solid operating experience has been gained, because the mileage of many cars has exceeded 150 thousand km. Unlike the model sold in America (its index is MHU 33), our R-X is all-wheel drive: in addition to the front hybrid transmission, an electric motor with a rear axle drive gearbox has been introduced. Interestingly, this part of the hybrid drive is only blown with air, while the front of the transmission has a common circuit with the gasoline engine cooling system.
It occasionally happens that antifreeze begins to leak at the junction of the transmission housing - pay attention to this place. It is easier to periodically check the level in the right expansion tank, but do not forget about the left one, which is responsible for cooling the inverter - the battery's DC-to-AC power converter to power the electric motors. Accordingly, in the recovery mode, the electrons run in the opposite direction, charging the battery.
In this separate circuit, the liquid overtakes the electric pump, which, although extremely rare, fails. It is impossible to predict the imminent death of the pump, because it turns on only as needed - when the inverter really needs to be cooled. You will feel the defect only in motion, when the inverter turns off due to overheating. In this case, the car will become dull, and the display will show the inscription: Check Hybrid System.
When changing the fluid, air plugs must be expelled from the system, otherwise the inverter will subsequently overheat. Although the electronics will limit the current supplied, the power transistors may explode. Dealers do not change them separately, offering to fork out for a new inverter assembly (more than half a million rubles!). However, on the Internet you can find more humane prices for repairs. And the further east, the cheaper. For example, in Yekaterinburg they will take 100-120 thousand from you, and in Vladivostok - almost half as much. Fortunately, inverter failures are still rare.
The hybrid does not have a gearbox in the usual sense. Its role is played by only two planetary gears. The first one is connected to a gasoline engine through a carrier with satellites, and through a sun gear - to an electric motor of 650 V, which is both a starter and a generator. The same motor, changing speed, changes the gear ratio between the internal combustion engine and the ring gear connected through the gearbox and differential to the wheels. The second planetary gear set is connected to the traction motor-generator (also 650 V) through the sun gear (the crown gear is common for both rows). Very beautiful design! And surprisingly hassle-free. It is only important to monitor the oil (original - Toyota ATF WS). Although according to the regulations it is “eternal”, dealers recommend changing it after 160 thousand km.
ELECTROMOTIVE FORCE
It happens that such a car is bought only for the image and it is idle for months. This is the worst operating option for which the hybrid is not designed - this is clearly stated in the instructions. Even standard electronics quickly discharge a 12-volt battery with a capacity of only 36 Ah, designed to power auxiliary equipment. But many install an additional alarm on the car (“Lexus” attracts increased interest from hijackers), in which the quiescent current can reach 100 mA.
It is easy to calculate that the battery is completely discharged in just half a month. But it also feeds the power relays for connecting the traction battery, from which the engine is started. Due to natural self-discharge, the main battery can also sit down. Therefore, make it a rule to periodically (once a week) roll the car at least around the house, and then wait until the internal combustion engine itself stalls. This is a sign that the traction battery is charged.
There is an opinion that in the conditions of the Russian winter, hybrids do not live long. Don't believe the rumors! At the Pole of Cold in Oymyakon, right-hand drive "priuses" of the first generation still drive. As for the RX - yes, there were battery failures (on copies of 2005, they were changed under warranty), but they can be counted on the fingers. By the way, the farther to the east, the more craftsmen who are ready to sort out the battery for a moderate fee, replacing defective cells (there are 240 cells in total).
The design of the 3MZ-FE gasoline engine (3.3 l) has been time-tested. The motor is built on the basis of a three-liter 1MZ-FE, which has proven itself well on the RX 300 and Toyota Camry models. 3MZ-FE was also installed on a purely gasoline RX 330. The engine was slightly modified for a hybrid: there are other supports, an intake system and valve timing. And most importantly - there are no attachments driven by a V-ribbed belt, since the power steering and air conditioning compressor are electric.
We change the timing belt every 100 thousand km, always along with the rollers. The pump is driven by the same belt; it is quite reliable and sometimes serves more than 200 thousand km. But spark plugs, although iridium ones, do not last more than 40 thousand km. When replacing, the intake manifold must be removed. This is perhaps the main difficulty in maintaining the machine.
Dealers at each MOT (10 thousand km) flush the throttle assembly, motivating the procedure by the fact that on the RX 330 with a very similar engine, by 30-60 thousand km, due to mud deposits, idle speed begins to float. And although the hybrid engine never works in this mode (it is either silent or running under load, charging the traction battery), it may have problems starting.
SIMPLY "ER-X"
And how is the conventional gasoline RX that the 400h is based on? Its gasoline engine is just as reliable (change the spark plugs, timing drive and flush the throttle), but the automatic transmission is able to surprise even at 120 thousand km. With cars for the American market, the situation is even worse: 50-60 thousand miles - and the unit is no longer a tenant.
Due to the fact that the “American” transmission valve body is configured for fast gear shifting (the Russian version, made taking into account frosts, has a slower automatic), it can turn on two gears at once. It is clear that this feature does not extend the service life. Please note: after the overhaul, you need to reconfigure the gearbox control unit - erase all previous settings and sew in new ones corresponding to the changed setting moments when switching gears on and off. Otherwise, expect new problems.
Oil sometimes flows along the junction of the rear cover of the transfer case - it is easier to add it periodically. If oil leaks through the rolling of the power steering pressure hose (it happens to 80 thousand km), we change without hesitation - they don’t joke with the helmsman. A common problem with any RX, including hybrids, is rear brake calipers. The rubber bands of the guide fingers are quickly frayed in them, moisture that has got through the cracks fetters the mechanisms. Therefore, we carry out preventive maintenance at every maintenance.
The cost per kilometer of a hybrid run, calculated according to the methodology of our column (ЗР, 2011, No. 1), turned out to be significantly lower than that of the gasoline version: 12.83 versus 15.54 rubles. But if you are not lucky with the inverter or the traction battery, the alignment will not be in favor of the hybrid at all: the electrical components and assemblies are too expensive for the time being.
FROM THE HISTORY OF THE MODEL
Lexus RX
DEBUT: The second generation RX was introduced in the US in January 2003. In North America and the Middle East, a 3.3-liter V6 version was offered. European and Asian buyers received a 3-liter engine. In March 2005, the RX 400h hybrid began to be produced, which was officially delivered to Russia since June of the same year.
BODY: 5-door station wagon (SUV).
ENGINES: gasoline - V6, 3.0 l, 204 hp; V6, 3.3 L, 230 hp; V6, 3.5 L, 277 hp For the hybrid version: petrol, V6, 3.3L, 210 hp, plus 165 hp front electric motor, plus 68 hp rear electric motor. (total power of the power plant - 270 hp).
GEARBOX: A5 for the regular version, stepless planetary for the hybrid.
DRIVE UNIT: front or full.
RESTYLING: in 2007, the radiator grille, bumpers, rims, as well as some decorative elements of the body changed. A year earlier, the old V6s were replaced by a 3.5L engine.
CRASH TESTS: in 2004, the level of safety in a frontal collision according to the methods of IIHS and NHTSA (USA) was recognized as the highest. The consequences for a rear-end collision earned it a "poor" (IIHS) rating.
We thank the Business Car JV (Lexus-Levoberezhny car center at the 78th km of the Moscow Ring Road, Moscow)
for assistance in the preparation of the material.
With its outstanding performance, the Lexus px 400 five-seat, all-wheel drive SUV with a hybrid engine has changed the world of hybrid technology. This luxury car is powered by a hybrid installation called the V6 Hybrid Sinergy Drive, which consists of a six-cylinder gasoline engine and two permanent magnet electric motors at once. All three motors are used to quickly accelerate the car, so the acceleration time to “hundreds” is only 8 seconds.
Thanks to the power of the hybrid, equal to 270 HP, a heavy car moves with the expense of a compact sedan.
Along with excellent off-road qualities, comfort and workmanship have been brought to the absolute level, deserving the highest rating.
Outwardly, the hybrid differs from its predecessor only in an additional air intake, which is located in the center of the front bumper, as well as in a special design of alloy wheels R18, yes round fog lights.
In the interior design and functional equipment of the Lexus RX 400h, it is easy to find everything that is in the RX300, with the exception of the trim, for which polished aluminum is used here. Well, and the last - a tachometer. It is not in this model, and in its place is an indicator showing the battery charge.
The workmanship is impeccable - this is the embodiment of the image of a real luxury SUV. Everything is provided here, even special shock-absorbing zones, thanks to which the impact energy is extinguished and deformation of the cabin is prevented. Having got acquainted with the car, we can confidently say that the future has come, even if for now in this car - an extraordinary, serial, out of the ordinary, and even the first to be officially delivered to Russia!
The high voltage battery and both electric motors are hidden under the bottom. One of them is located closer to the left front wheel (directly under the gasoline engine), the other was found on the rear axle on the right. Japanese designers placed the battery under the rear row of seats, while the interior space was not affected. And in addition to electric motors, a 3.3-liter V6 and a battery, the car also has a generator, a power control unit and a power divider. And it all works like a special song!
The leader in this chorus is a 211-horsepower gasoline engine, which is not a complete analogue of what is installed in the RX 330. The intake, cooling, exhaust and engine management systems have undergone significant modifications. In other words, the motor has been modified to be compatible with electric motors.
The power of the front electric alternating current motor with water and oil cooling is 167 horsepower(!) and can issue 5400 rpm.
The rear-mounted electric motor is not so strong, but its power is also 67 hp. Its operating voltage is 650V, and the cooling is air.
Battery Nickel Metal Hydride Voltage car batteries - 288V. It is cooled, like the rear motor, by air, which is driven by three fans at once. For those who are wary of the fact that they have to ride behind the battery, reference - electromagnetic fields are completely extinguished thanks to the metal hermetic casing in which the battery is placed, incl. no health risk.
The work of the power plant is clear and well-coordinated. With a charged battery, the car goes at low speeds exclusively on electric traction - silently, as if under sail. With more intense pressure on the gas pedal, the gas engine is connected, and then you drive, enjoying the beautiful sound of the gasoline engine and powerful dynamics ( just 7.6 seconds to reach 100 km/h).
It would be very difficult to determine that this is a hybrid car by "habits" without displaying data on the operation of the power plant on the monitor. The hybridity of the car is also indicated by a wattmeter installed on the dashboard instead of a tachometer, which is not needed, since the driver does not care about the speed of the auxiliary gasoline car. In addition, the Lexus px 400 does not even have an automatic transmission, but a stepless variator.
Auxiliary gasoline engine
Auxiliary gasoline engine is that when you turn the key it does not start. Only lights up on the dashboard "Ready", i.e. "you can go" (electric motors are ready). When the battery is discharged, it is recharged by a gasoline engine (when free rolling, the generator is engaged in charging it, as well as during braking). The gasoline engine is switched on through the planetary divider even when the electric traction of the car is not enough. Therefore, with a power of 272 hp. and such a low level of fuel consumption - 9 liters per 100 kilometers. It transmits torque simultaneously to the alternator charging the battery and to the front wheels. The rear wheels become driven only if this becomes necessary, which the VDIM system determines. Only in the event of slipping of the front wheels, the second electric motor is turned on, which controls the rear-wheel drive.
Everything in the four hundredth Lexus is unusual and unusual, and the concerns of its owner are completely different: The main thing is to monitor the battery charge, and not the fullness of the gas tank. This car will never stall. You can always leave on electric motors.
The only "trouble" of a miracle car is the constantly required attention. It is worth leaving it alone for a couple of weeks, the car will be completely discharged, and it will not be easy to cope with it without the help of service specialists.
And yet the Lexus RX400h is a wonderful achievement of the genius of Japanese thought. It works without making any noise.
Since the entire system is concentrated around the battery, many are concerned about the issue related to its operation in our winter conditions and its service life. On the first part of the question, problems should not arise, since not a single case of battery failure associated with operation at low temperatures (up to minus forty degrees) has been registered by service departments. According to Toyota experts, they cannot be in relation to the service life either, since it is unlimited and the resource should be enough for the entire period of operation of the car. If you still have to deal with replacing the battery, then it will cost 9.5 thousand dollars.
Disadvantages of a hybrid car
A beautiful car, a huge range of options, expensive finishing materials ... But it was not without flaws. Firstly, a somewhat heavy steering wheel, which at high speeds is an indisputable plus, but the heaviness in it does not disappear even when the wheels are turned in a stationary car. Secondly, a rear-view camera that gives an excellent overview during reverse movement, which in rainy weather makes the driver simply blind just a few minutes after the start of the movement, during which it has time to splatter with mud. Finally, air conditioning. In automatic mode, it does not behave quite adequately: a stream of cold air escapes from the deflectors, which is difficult to fight.
But other useful options never cease to amaze. These are rear seats moving forward and backward, and an electrically adjustable steering wheel, and an adaptive lighting system that turns the headlights by 15 degrees to better illuminate the turn, and an easier landing, when just by touching the ignition switch, the steering wheel moves away from the dashboard, rising to the previously set position . The rear door, following the example of government-class sedans, can be locked and unlocked with a remote key or a button on the fifth door.
One only seven inch screen with the TouchScreen function, which is worth it. It allows you to do without buttons, and change all the parameters by pressing the necessary icons on the screen.
There is nothing to say about the passive and active safety system when it comes to Lexus. Special thanks to the company Mark Levinson, who gave the interior an audio system that is simply amazing. Its power is 240W, ten speakers, a ceramic 230 mm subwoofer! Is there anything else you could wish for?
RX400h hybrid price
It's scary to think about the cost of a car. This figure is $78,250 approximately 4,000,000 rubles. But, comparing it with the price of the RX350, which is equal to 70.1 thousand dollars, the difference is $ 8,150. Lexus for this money will be able to cover a distance of 143,728 kilometers. Well, and, in the end, you have to pay for the comfort!
Features of buying a used “Lexus RX400h”
This SUV is unique in many ways, because it was the first hybrid car to be officially sold in Russia. Moreover, he still simply does not have direct competitors. After all, other automakers do not yet offer such high-tech models to our customers. This spring, "Lexus RX400h" officially moved into the category of "three-year-old". More and more of these jeeps began to appear on the secondary market. What to look for when choosing a used “RX400h” and how much will its future owner cost to maintain?
What to choose?
MOST of the used "Lexus RX400h" in our secondary market are cars that were once sold by Russian authorized dealers (the hybrid SUV has been officially sold with us since the spring of 2005). It is these instances that experts recommend buying.
The fact is that the history of such machines is quite easy to trace. This means that there is less chance of acquiring a car with a criminal record. In addition, the first owners usually served their "400" at official service stations. That is, it is also not difficult to find out about the possible problems of a vending instance. Finally, we have repeatedly written about the fact that only high-quality consumables, oils and other technical fluids are used in authorized and specialized services. And this has a positive effect on the technical condition of an unusual SUV.
Many used "RX400h" are brought to Russia from America. Such cars are distinguished by a different lighting technology and additional marker lights on the bumpers. In addition, their devices are digitized according to American standards. For example, the speedometer shows speed in mph, and the air conditioner shows temperature in degrees Fahrenheit. In order to switch to more familiar units, you will have to reprogram the electronics. This will cost the new owner about 6,000 rubles (hereinafter, the prices for repairs in the specialized technical center “Tolex Tuning” are given).
By the way, contrary to popular belief that overseas cars are often not in the best technical condition, hybrid SUVs from the United States are usually well-groomed no worse than their Russian counterparts. Nevertheless, before buying, it is advisable to “break through” the vending copy through the “CarFax” system and make sure that it was legally purchased, registered and regularly serviced.
The price of the American "400" is very attractive. If a car sold by a Russian dealer three years ago costs about $60,000 on the secondary market today, then a “three-year-old” from the USA will cost about $48,000-50,000. However, according to experts, such a significant difference in price will decrease over time.
Another important point: our official dealers sold the Lexus RX400h exclusively in one (though very rich) fixed configuration. While the American buyer could choose the equipment of the car to his liking. Therefore, an overseas car may well turn out to be much more modest than a Russian one.
Also, new “Lexus RX400h” through the efforts of “gray” importers often came to us from Europe. Buying such cars is quite risky, since it is often very difficult to find out their former fate. And since all Lexus SUVs are very popular with hijackers, in this case there is a high risk of acquiring a copy with a criminal past. True, sometimes the first (in our country) owners of such cars, in order to maintain the worldwide guarantee of the automaker, serviced them exclusively in authorized technical centers, which allows you to find out at least the service history of the car. But this is a rarity. And given that the cost of “official” and “gray” hybrid SUVs is approximately comparable, buying the latter is not the best choice.
Even in the Russian secondary market, you can sometimes find some exotic derivatives of the Lexus RX400h. For example, its right-hand drive analogue “Toyota Harrier Hybrid”, which is imported from Japan, or the front-wheel drive version of the “400th” from the United States (such a car does not have an additional electric drive for the rear axle wheels). But such cars are not in demand in our country, so subsequently it will be quite difficult to sell them.
RETROSPECTIVE
The serial “Lexus RX400h” premiered in January 2005 at the Detroit Auto Show. In the spring, sales of the car under the name "Toyota Harrier Hybrid" began in Japan. A little later, a hybrid SUV appeared in the showrooms of European dealers, as well as in Russia. In total, as of February 2008, 14.575 “Toyota Harrier Hybrid” and 97.805 “Lexus RX400h” have been produced.
Of course, the main highlight of the Japanese SUV is a hybrid power plant. It consists of a 3.3-liter 211-horsepower gasoline engine (it was also installed on the regular "RX" designed for the US market), two electric motors with a capacity of 167 and 68 hp. (on the front and rear axles, respectively), as well as a nickel-metal hydride battery pack and control electronics.
In normal driving modes, the “RX400h” moves exclusively on front-wheel drive with a gasoline engine and one electric motor. At low speeds (for example, in traffic jams), the internal combustion engine is turned off, and as long as the battery charge allows, the SUV drives only on electric traction. By the way, the batteries are recharged not only when the gasoline engine is running, but also when the car is braking. An additional electric motor on the rear axle is connected only during intense acceleration or off-road, when the front wheels begin to spin.
The rest of the "Lexus RX400h" is practically no different from its usual counterpart "RX". They have almost the same interior and similar appearance. However, the hybrid SUV can be recognized by its round fog lamps, LED taillights, a different grille, an additional air intake on the front bumper and original rims. In addition, the interior of the first versions of the “RX400h” (released in 2005) was finished in “aluminum” in contrast to the interior of the regular “RX” with wooden inserts. Both options became available in 2006.
In operation
DESPITE the rather complex and unusual design of the Lexus RX400h, the future owner will most likely not have problems with its maintenance and repair. After all, a hybrid SUV is ready to be accepted not only in any official technical center, but also in various unauthorized services specializing in Lexus cars.
The main thing, experts advise, is not to contact “multi-profile” garage workshops. The cost of their services is very tempting, but the masters, unfamiliar with the non-traditional technical stuffing of the “RX400h”, quite possibly will do more harm to the car than good. So it's probably not worth the risk.
Sometimes owners of original models have difficulty finding spare parts. However, this is not the case with the “RX400h”. Most of the parts are always in stock directly at the service stations, so there is no need to plan maintenance in advance.
In addition, warehouses usually have even some of the most sought-after body panels and optics. That is, the recovery of an SUV after an accident will also not take much time. Only some trim panels or seats will have to be ordered, and even then the delivery time is unlikely to exceed one month. Moreover, the repair will not become burdensome for the pocket of the owner of the “RX400h”, because the prices for spare parts are quite affordable (see tables 1 and 2). In addition, the hybrid powertrain is virtually maintenance-free, which is why some scheduled maintenance on the RX400h is even slightly cheaper than on the regular gasoline RX, since its all-wheel drive transmission requires more attention from servicemen.
Many potential buyers of a Japanese hybrid SUV fear damage to its many electronic systems and electrical parts. And in vain. Such malfunctions are generally rare for Lexus cars, and the RX400h is no exception, says Valery Shits, deputy general director of the Tolex Tuning specialized technical center. In any case, the craftsmen have not yet encountered the need to repair the electrical filling of this machine.
Perhaps the only detail that requires increased attention is the auxiliary battery that feeds secondary consumers. In principle, for three years it works without problems, but then gradually begins to falter. Especially in the cold. This is the first signal to replace it (about 5,000 rubles). True, it happens that the owner of the car reduces the battery life through his own fault. The fact is that its capacity is not very large, so when a car, for example, stands still for a long time, the anti-theft system may well completely discharge the battery. And this, in turn, will lead to its increased wear.
As for the main battery, there were no complaints about its work yet. The high reliability of the main battery is confirmed even by the fact that neither official dealers nor specialized services keep it in warehouses. There is simply no need for this. Even in serious accidents, the battery usually does not suffer, since it is located in a safe area under the rear seats. However, experts still recommend that you carefully check the hybrid power plant before buying the “RX400h”. Such a service costs only 900 rubles, but the new owner will be sure that in the near future he will not have to repair complex electronics. By the way, just in case, keep in mind that a new power unit for a hybrid SUV costs as much as a new golf-class car - about 500,000 rubles!
Also, motorists often doubt the ability of the “four hundredth” to start up normally and drive in severe frosts. But in fact, the hybrid jeep endures the cold surprisingly staunchly, there were no failures in the operation of its systems in winter. Depending on the air temperature, the charge level of the main battery and other parameters, the electronics itself determines which engine, gasoline or electric, to start first. The driver does not need to think about it, he can just get into the car and go right away.
As for the gasoline engine, the time-tested 3.3-liter "six" in Russian operating conditions showed itself only from the best side, says Valery Shits. The repairmen especially note its “omnivorousness” - the engine is surprisingly indifferent to the quality of domestic fuel. For example, if you do not refuel with a frank surrogate, then the spark plugs regularly serve for 50,000-70,000 km. By the way, it is worth noting that if the engine of the European versions of the “RX400h” runs on 95th gasoline, then overseas copies are content with cheaper 92nd.
But increased attention when choosing "RX400h" should be given to its body. On some machines, the metal of the hood did not resist corrosion well and began to rust when the paint chipped from stones. On warranty cars, official dealers in such cases preferred to change the entire part. If the previous owner did not attend to this, then, perhaps, some time after the purchase, you will have to deal with corrosion on your own. And in this case, there is a reason to contact specialized technical centers. There, unlike authorized workshops, they prefer to simply repaint defective hoods (the work will cost about 10,000 rubles). However, as practice shows, this is quite enough for the problem to no longer arise.
Even on used “RX400hs”, gas shock absorbers that hold the hood in the open position sometimes fail. However, repairs are inexpensive - 1.500-2.000 rubles.
Sometimes the owners of the “four hundredths” begin to be disturbed by a bounce on the right side of the front panel. To get rid of the annoying sound, you will have to modify the fastening of the panel to the body (approximately 3,000 rubles).
Finally, when buying an RX400h, you need to take into account that its cross-country ability is slightly lower than that of a regular RX350. The fact is that the additional electric motor of the hybrid starts to rotate its rear wheels only when the front wheels slip. Sometimes, while the electronics assess the situation, the car has already managed to dig into the ground. In addition, in some cases, the power of the electric motor is simply not enough to spin the wheels of the second axle. Therefore, a hybrid jeep can only handle light off-road like a country country road.
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
The owner of one of the first "Lexus RX400h" in our country, a member of the "Lexus Club Russia" Mikhail Rogalsky:
– I ordered MY “Lexus RX400h” in the summer of 2005, when this model had just appeared on the car market, and received it in the autumn of the same year. At the time, I was driving a regular Lexus RX300 and was just thinking about changing cars. And I wanted to buy a new car of this particular Japanese brand.
And just then the “RX400h” appeared. It attracted me first of all with its unusualness and technical perfection. Frankly, I didn’t think about such advantages of a hybrid as, for example, high efficiency, I just really liked this SUV.
However, over time, willy-nilly, I had to pay attention to fuel consumption. Approximately two thirds of my trips take place in the city and only a third on regional roads, but even in this mode, the “RX400h” consumes about 11 liters of gasoline per 100 km on average. In my opinion, a very good indicator for a powerful SUV. I even caught myself changing my driving style and began to drive more calmly, trying to achieve minimal fuel consumption.
At first, I had to get used to the wayward nature of the car - it seemed to live its own life. The driver participates only in the process of movement, and the electronics itself decides which engine the car will drive, when to connect the rear wheels, etc. For example, in traffic jams, the computer periodically turns on and off the gasoline engine to recharge the batteries. But soon you stop paying attention to it at all.
Moreover, there is confidence that in any situation the car will not let you down. And indeed, there is always enough power: both during sharp acceleration and when overtaking. In addition, acceleration is very smooth and comfortable, without the jerks and dips typical of conventional cars.
In almost three years of operation, there were practically no problems with the machine. The radio was replaced under warranty. Yes, once the child was playing in the salon and forgot to turn off the music. As a result, the auxiliary battery is completely discharged. Also, the future owner of the “RX400h” should remember that the company “Lexus” has set a service interval of only 10,000 km for its models. Therefore, the service has to travel quite often. True, the schedule of visits to the technical center is easy to plan, so it does not cause any particular inconvenience. In addition, the “RX400h” is a rather complicated car, and it is better to once again make sure that it is in good condition than to stand somewhere on the road because of a trifling breakdown.
| Brief technical characteristics of “Lexus RX400h” | |
| dimensions | 476x184.5x173.5 cm |
| Curb weight | 2.040 kg |
| Engines | V6, petrol, 3.311 cc cm + 2 electric motors |
| Gasoline engine power | 211 HP at 5.600 rpm |
| Front motor power | 167 HP at 4.500 rpm |
| Rear motor power | 68 HP at 4.610-5.120 rpm |
| Maximum total power | 272 HP |
| Torque of gasoline engine | 288 Nm at 4,400 rpm |
| Front motor torque | 333 Nm at 0-1.500 rpm |
| Rear motor torque | 130 Nm at 0-610 rpm |
| Transmission | stepless, plug-in all-wheel drive |
| Max Speed | 200 km/h |
| Acceleration 0-100 km/h | 7.6 s |
