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2008 Lexus RX Hybrid Reviews, Pricing & Specs

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$41,280 to $42,680

Original MSRP

--

expert review

4.3

avg user rating

(8 reviews)
2008 Lexus RX Hybrid Preview summaryImage

The Lexus RX 400h falls into the midsize luxury SUV category. Launched in 2004, additional cosmetic options and the ability to switch off the stability and traction control systems are the only changes for 2008 over last year's model.

The RX 400h underscores Toyota's prowess as a pioneer in hybrid automotive power systems. Its hybrid powertrain - two powerful electric motors on the all-wheel-drive version and 30 battery modules - adds less than 300 pounds. The Toyota system configures electric motors assisted by a gas engine. Other hybrid systems usually focus on a gas engine with electric-motor assistance. As a full-hybrid system, the RX 400h can operate in gas or electric mode or combine both.

The front-wheel-drive RX 400h has a single electric motor in front, while the all-wheel-drive model has one up front and one in back to power the rear wheels, as the front and rear axles don't have a connecting driveshaft. Driving the RX 400h is an unusual aural experience. Turn the key and you'll hear silence. Reviewers found it a bit strange moving the gear lever into Drive without any engine sound. Gliding through parking lots and through the city, drivers will need to look out for pedestrians, who will not hear you coming. The EPA estimates reflect this driving experience, with a 28/25 mpg city/highway rating; most of the time - up to 40 mph - you'll run off the 30 battery modules packed under the rear seats in the city.

When an extra surge of power becomes necessary, step on the gas and the aluminum 3.3-liter V6 kicks in quickly and seamlessly with plenty of thrust. Combined with the 12,000-rpm-capable high-torque electric motors, you'll have a total of 268 hp available. The transmission is a planetary gear transaxle, which acts like a conventional CVT transmission. 0-60 in the front-wheel-drive model comes up in 7.5 seconds, while the all-wheel-drive version takes 7.3 seconds. The RX 400h handles beautifully, being responsive and firm as it corners, with less lean than its non-hybrid sibling, the RX 350. The cabin is quiet at all speeds - Lexus engineers even aerodynamically shaped the roof rack.

Inside, you'll find Lexus quality. The RX 400h is easy to enter and exit due to comfortable seat heights. On the dash, a power level meter that displays the power output of the hybrid system replaces the tachometer. Switches and controls are Lexus-quality, and while the rear seats are most comfortable for two, there are seatbelts for three. Folding the rear seats provides 84.7 cubic feet of cargo space - more than the BMW X5, the Mercedes-Benz M-Class, or the Infiniti FX.

Standard safety features include front airbags along with a driver knee airbag. Front side-impact airbags with curtain-style head protection airbags that cover both rows will deploy in the event of a rollover. Advanced ABS and electronic stability and traction control are also standard.

CarGurus Editorial Team
Published Aug 8, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
Sometimes our content pages are the result of a team effort. As with all CarGurus editorial, you can expect high levels of automotive insight and expertise delivered in a style that is approachable and free from jargon.

User reviews for 2008 Lexus RX Hybrid

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User rating:
by Noura S
Jul 28, 2022
I did purchase this car and am enjoying it. The issues are cosmetic. Clear coat and some rock damage. High beam an turn signal bulb need replaced. I’m pleased altogether with the purchase Jul 28, 2022
by Tasha E
Aug 29, 2021
Love, love, love this car. I’ve been wanting this car for a very long time. I think that I paid a reasonable price for this car. The only wonder I have is how can I get better gas mileage. Other than that, I love this vehicle. It drives very well and is a very comfortable ride.Aug 29, 2021
by No T
Dec 22, 2014
This vehicle does great in the snow. I have learned that you don’t “rock” it when stuck, you just sit there with your foot on the gas and it will spin the wheels independently until they have traction, then it will push you a little bit until you spin again (repeat) or are able to drive away. There was no storm in the past two years (in Maine), which I couldn't just drive out of my driveway (without clearing it first). I love that! I also like that is tows (Hybrids with a grille logo which has holes in it, has the towing package). I have a small trailer to get bark mulch or take my lawn tractor to the dealer and while the mileage takes a hit, the weight of the vehicle is well suited for this kind of towing. I have towed a boat before and it did pretty good, but that is out of my comfort zone for my skillset. The mileage can be pretty impressive, particularly when your driving is between 35-50. I have gotten as much as 36 mpg diving secondary roads through the mountains from Maine to Vermont. In the Summer, I typically see about 25-27 mpg and in the Winter it’s more like 20-22. Some of that is due to the engine needing to run to produce heat for the cabin, some is due to idling (to thaw windows before driving) but even without the idling, the batteries function better when they are warm so you will take a hit in cooler months. Still, the hybrid offers more power (if that’s your thing), and I love that the engine shuts of when coasting or stopped. We call it stealth mode. There are two areas for which I am disappointed with the vehicle. First is the interior space. That back seat is positioned on top of the batteries, so there is a little less headroom in the back. Additionally, when the front seats are all the way back, adult rear passengers will be cramped. The front seats are adequate for 90% of the people. I am of the other 10%. Having wide shoulders and being overweight, I feel cramped. Again, 90% of you won’t likely have this experience but I thought is was worth mentioning for the other 10. The newer model style is more spacious. The second area is about the gadgets/features/amenities. It sounds pretentious to say that a Lexus is short of luxury but in my opinion it is. Here’s some of what it has: auto adjusting headlights, auto turning headlights (when in motion, the headlights turn with the steering wheel based on your speed), motorized back door, lighted door sills (OK, that’s cool), cruise, power seats, windows, mirrors, etc., auto dimming mirrors, sun roof, navigation, nice storage space (pockets and cubbies), rain sensing wipers, auto clearing front side windows (they shed water like Rain-X is on them), and headlight washers. Ya, it’s got a lot of stuff but I want more. I would like to be able to shut off the headlights (DRL) when I go to the drive-in without having to shut off my car, I would like laser cruise, I would like turn signals in the mirrors, I would like exterior approach lighting, I would like touch sensitive locking/unlocking and push button start. I should also mention the brakes. Hybrids are designed with regenerative braking, meaning that it uses the electric motors which propel the vehicle to recapture some of that energy when braking. It makes the brakes a but grabby, which I like. What I don't like is when you are braking, if you hit a bump in the road, or get below 20mph or so the regenerative braking shuts off and you are on the disc brakes. They work fine, but there is a bit of a lurch at the moment of transition. It's not anything that puts you at risk, but it is an uneasy feeling I would prefer not to experience. Overall, it has been very reliable and it drives very nicely. Another great point of note has been Lexus Service. I have all my servicing done at the Lexus dealership and they provide me with a loaner without any question. This sole reason will be enough to get me to buy another Lexus.Dec 22, 2014

2008 Lexus RX Hybrid Pricing

Original MSRP
$41,280 to $42,680
Price range
$7,436 to $8,163
Average price on CG
$7,724
YoY price change
$8,053 to $7,724
Lexus RX Hybrid price trends

Trims & specs

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: diversity · Wireless headphones · 6 disc in-dash CD · Premium Brand: Mark Levinson · AM/FM radio · Total Number of Speakers: 8 · 132 watts

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.6 · Front brakes: disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.3 · Rear brakes: disc

Comfort Features

Armrests: rear center folding with storage · Center console trim: alloy · Dash trim: alloy · Door trim: cloth · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: wood

Convenience Features

Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Cargo cover: retractable · Center console: front console with storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: steering wheel · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Power outlet(s): 115V · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: cargo tie-down anchors and hooks · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10

Engine

Electric Motor Battery Type: nickel-metal hydride · Electric Motor HP: 165 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 123 · Electric Motor Torque: 247 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 208 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 5600 · Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 212 · Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 4400

Exterior Features

Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3

In Car Entertainment

Video monitor location: rear · Video system: DVD player

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Lights

Headlight cleaners: high pressure washers · Headlights: auto delay off · Tail and brake lights: LED

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: heated

Passenger Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10

Rear Seats

Type: 40-20-40 split bench

Roof

Moonroof: one-touch open/close

Safety

Camera system: rearview · Crumple zones: rear

Seatbelts

Emergency locking retractors: driver · Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front

Seats

Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Heated: mulitlevel · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: cloth

Spare Tire

Mount Location: underbody

Spare Wheel

Rim type: aluminum alloy

Suspension

Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: coil over shock · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear

Telematics

Navigation system: DVD navigation system w/voice activation · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth

Tires

Type: all terrain

Tires and Rims

Spare tire size: full-size matching · Wheels: aluminum

Windows

Front wipers: rain sensing · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: remote operation · Rear wiper: with washer

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: diversity · Wireless headphones · 6 disc in-dash CD · Premium Brand: Mark Levinson · AM/FM radio · Total Number of Speakers: 11 · 132 watts

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.6 · Front brakes: disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.3 · Rear brakes: disc

Comfort Features

Armrests: rear center folding with storage · Center console trim: wood · Dash trim: alloy · Door trim: cloth · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: wood

Convenience Features

Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Cargo cover: retractable · Center console: front console with storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: steering wheel · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10

Drivetrain

4WD Type: on demand

Engine

Electric Motor Battery Type: nickel-metal hydride · Electric Motor HP: 165 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 123 · Electric Motor Torque: 247 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 208 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 5600 · Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 212 · Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 4400

Exterior Features

Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3

In Car Entertainment

Video monitor location: rear · Video system: DVD player

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: maintenance reminder

Lights

Headlight cleaners: high pressure washers · Headlights: HID · Tail and brake lights: LED

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power folding

Passenger Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10

Rear Seats

Type: 40-20-40 split bench

Roof

Moonroof: one-touch open/close

Safety

Camera system: rearview · Crumple zones: front

Seatbelts

Emergency locking retractors: driver · Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front

Seats

Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Heated: mulitlevel · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: leather-trimmed

Spare Tire

Mount Location: underbody

Spare Wheel

Rim type: aluminum alloy

Suspension

Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear

Telematics

Navigation system: DVD navigation system w/voice activation · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth

Tires

Type: all terrain

Tires and Rims

Spare tire size: full-size matching · Wheels: aluminum

Windows

Front wipers: rain sensing · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: remote operation · Rear wiper: with washer

See all trims (2)

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