Lexus RX 400h

Government fuel economy is a very good 27 city/24 highway for front-drive models, and 26 city/24 highway for the all-wheel drive version. These figures allow the RX 400h to compete with various smaller four-cylinder utilities. However, the 400h falls shy in this department when compared to the other hybrid SUVs such as the Ford Escape Hybrid and the Saturn Vue Hybrid.

The RX 400h is also quite expensive. With prices unchanged for 2008, the front-drive model starts at a hefty $41,180, while the all-wheel-drive hybrid is priced from $42,580. Fully loaded, the RX 400h easily climbs to $50,000. That’s almost twice the price of an Escape or Vue Green Line. And it’s roughly $3,500 more than its gas-powered counterpart, the Lexus RX 350. With fuel prices where they are, it may not be possible for this hybrid to recoup its higher cost from its overall efficiency. Finances aside, this crossover appears to have more value as a green, eco-conscious alternative for people with money, who want to do their small part to mitigate climate change or reduce oil dependence.