The 2005 Lexus RX 400h will be furnished similar to the RX 330, with the buyer's choice of front- or all-wheel-drive. Passive and active safety equipment like stability control, side curtain airbags and knee airbags complement the top-rated crash safety scores. The RX 400h will also be the first Lexus to include Vehicle Dynamic Management (VDM), a new stability control system that can predict a slide or a skid. In such situations, VDM will remove the slack in the front seat belts and ready the panic assist brakes for maximum stopping effort. VDM also operates less intrusively than the existing Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system. Inside, the cabin is richly trimmed with soft leather, polished wood and brushed aluminum accents. Options like a reverse camera, adaptive cruise control, a power rear liftgate and an air suspension system highlight the available goodies list. Outside, Lexus has made minor modifications to the RX 330's styling to differentiate the RX 400h. Lexus doesn't think the affluent hybrid buyer wants to announce in a loud voice that they are green, so this new model won't resemble a jacked-up Prius. Equipped with the same Hybrid Synergy Drive system, the seven-passenger 2005 Toyota Highlander Hybrid will cost less than the Lexus while producing the same performance, but if your priority is to be pampered, the Lexus makes a fine palanquin. Luxury combined with environmental responsibility? Thanks to Lexus, now you can have it all. --Photos Courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales, USA
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