Lexus’ market studies have shown that today’s SUV buyer values performance, safety (his own) and prestige ahead of the environment and fuel economy. Actually, anecdotal evidence suggests most if not all car buyers have the same priorities.
Lexus also intends to sell the RX 400h outside North America. As I mentioned the engine bay is designed to accommodate a variety of engines. I have no doubt Lexus will easily sell every one of the Japanese-made RX 400h it produces even though this is not an inexpensive vehicle (or maybe because it is). Actually, after you deduct the cost of all the extra equipment Lexus lards onto the hybrid version and you factor in the federal and state government incentives, the net additional cost is about $3,000.
And, BTW, you can ignore anything you may have heard about added dangers from the high-tension battery pack in the event of a bad crash. Experts say that’s complete rubbish.
