Lexus RX (2003 - 2009) 400h SE-L 5d CVT Auto Owner Review

Other than a major fault with the windscreen wiper system early on the Lexus RX400 has been a dream buy. It is comfortable, smooth, spacious and versatile. It's ahead of it's time providing a hybrid system in a luxury car, long before the current evolution vehicles, turning an expensive fuel guzzling 3.3 litre SUV, into something a bit more refined, smooth and efficient (again, for its time). This car was bought to replace a much smaller estate as the kids outgrew the backseats. It was a bit of a gamble buying something significantly older than what we were used to, but other than the 'expensive' fault early on, it has been relatively smooth running ever since. Nipping around town can be fun when the electric part of the hybrid system decides to kick in and the engine takes a break and we enter 'stealth mode' with it's near silent running, but it's not really a noisy engine to start with. That is until you put your foot down. Then the engine roars and the hybrid batteries provide extra umpff, fantastic for overtaking or getting up to speed quickly joining motorways. Compare this car to modern equivalents and it will disappoint, but if you're looking for a high spec car within a tight budget, this can be affordable luxury.