- 2010
2009 Lexus RX 400h
Interior - What the Auto Press Says
The RX 400h's interior is luxurious and well-equipped.
- "The interior is very Lexus like: Clean, luxurious and simple. On a long trip, the RX 400h would allow five adults to sit comfortably. Around town, the higher driving position allowed me to look over cars in front of me without feeling as if I was in a big SUV. It's good for trips to the mall or out of town." -- Detroit News
- "Designers chose to go with brushed metal instead of wood trim, probably to reflect the high-tech nature of the car. Big mistake." -- BusinessWeek
Seating
Auto writers are pleased to report only two noticeable differences between the 2009 Lexus RX 400h's interior with its muse, the non-hybrid RX 350 -- a raised rear seat and a missing tachometer. In order to fit the 400h's battery, the backseat is a bit higher, but all seats remain comfortable.
- "Ample headroom and foot space for adults sitting outboard [in the rear]. The seat slides fore and aft. Sliding it rearward affords generous legroom, even behind a tall front-seat occupant. The middle adult is slightly squeezed on a harder and higher cushion with little leg space." -- Consumer Guide
- "The cabin is luxurious and inviting. The leather is soft and slightly bunched. Getting in is easy, with no need to either climb up or duck down." -- Auto Mall USA
- "The driver's right leg does snug up against the center console, having us wish the seats were shifted an inch outboard." -- Automobile Magazine
Interior Features
The RX 400h comes with as much equipment as its non-hybrid sibling, and is loaded with features that go above and beyond the SUV norm.
The navigation system is featured in a package with the Mark Levinson ® Audio system, and includes the voice-activated DVD Navigation System with backup camera as well as Bluetooth ® technology. A few auto writers were confused with the navigation system, and TIME Magazine finds it "slow and confusing." Check out our GPS reviews for advice and information on the best portable navigation units.
- "There were some glitches inside the RX 400h that even Toyota admits it needs to update. For example, I couldn't test the cassette deck at the base of the Mark Levinson Premium sound system that features 11 speakers -- I threw them all away in the early 1990s. CDs sound great though." -- Detroit News
- "The gauges are large and legible. Most controls are handy and intuitive, but a few require searching." -- Consumer Guide
- "We find the switches and controls in the RX (and Lexus cars generally) to be among the best." -- New Car Test Drive
- "The dashboard can make you feel like you're in a science lab, with all those fancy diagrams on the display screen and a power-meter in place of a traditional tachometer. Most of the controls on the RX400 are intuitive and effortless -- a Lexus trademark." -- U.S. News
Cargo
With the rear seats folded, the RX 400h boasts 84.7 cubic feet of cargo space -- more room than the BMW X5, Mercedes ML350 and Infiniti FX.
- "Bountiful small-item storage includes a nifty sliding front console and two full-width covered wells under the cargo floor. A household-type two-prong outlet is behind the rear seat." -- Consumer Guide
- "While the hybrid does give up two gallons of fuel capacity, its 17.2-gallon tank is still larger than that in most vehicles, and it loses none of the 84.7 cubic feet of cargo space available in the RX 350." -- New Car Test Drive
- "The standard power liftgate can be a welcomed convenience in harsh weather, or when your hands are full. The aft cargo floor is relatively high, but it does provide some underfloor storage, convenient for emergency gear." -- Automobile Magazine