It would have made a great story for the Lexus ‘hybrid’ vehicle to be our new Towcar of the Year but it didn’t quite make it. Mind you, it gave a creditable performance and in different company might well have walked off with the trophy.
The RX400h has a 3.3-litre V6 petrol engine plus front and rear electric motors and continuously variable automatic transmission. Because it starts on electric power, when you press the accelerator it glides silently away – even with a big caravan on the hook.
Depending on conditions it can be rear or front-wheel drive or 4x4, but you won’t know unless you look at the fascia display – not recommended when you are driving! Suspension is a bit soft for towing and the parking brake needs getting used to: a foot pedal you push once to put on and again to take off. We need time to assess this car more fully.
| Make/Model |
Caravan weight |
Drive |
Cyls/CC |
bhp/lb ft@rpm |
Price |
Tested |
| Lexus RX400h SE-L |
1,717kg |
2/4WD |
6/3311 |
208/212@4400 |
£44,792 |
2006 |
Lexus RX400h SE-L
