Category: Sporting 4x4s 
Price Range: No data available
Clever fuel-saving technology, "green" image, Lexus reliability and quality, refinement and high equipment levels, value for money, smooth and quiet ride.
Not quite as planet-saving as the hype suggests, not particularly roomy, vague electric steering and drive-by-wire controls, shallow boot, not as dynamic to drive as many rivals. It's also neither a proper off-roader nor a strong towing vehicle.
A step in the right direction when it comes to reducing fuel consumption and emissions from large SUVs, if not a revolution in environmentally-friendly motoring. A thoroughly pleasant vehicle to spend time in, but it's rather a case of style over substance as it's not a particularly versatile 4x4.
There's an awful lot of complex new technology in here, and so much is electronically- and computer-controlled. This does mean fewer moving, friction-subject parts to wear out, but you have to have faith. Toyota/Lexus has an extremely thorough testing and development process, has an excellent reputation for reliability and quality, and has had very few problems with the hybrid Priuses which have already been on the roads for a number of years. The engineers have studied first-generation Priuses with over 300,000 miles on their clocks, including hard-worked taxis in Canada (where the cold winters are particularly harsh on the powertrains) and are utterly confident of the hybrid system's reliability. The petrol engine is already proven in the US-market RX 330, so this should also be completely de-bugged at this stage too. The newest, and potentially most risky, technology is the VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management) system, which combines all the electric and electronic functions (including drive-by-wire electronic throttle, brakes and steering, ABS, traction and stability control) but this - also featuring in the new Lexus GS - has also been tested exhaustively. Still worried? Besides the standard three-year, 60,000-mile warranty, the battery and inverter are covered for up to five years.
