TEST DRIVE: The Lexus RX450h Hybrid Treats Us To a Green Weekend Up North

We had an opportunity for an early vacation this year - a long weekend “up north” at the tip of Michigan’s lower peninsula - and we were able to snag a <a title="Lexus RX450h Hybrid SUV" href="http://www.lexus.com/models/RXh/" target="_blank">Lexus RX450h hybrid SUV</a> for the trek. Last fall, this same trip was excruciating in another sportier diesel (that shall remain unnamed). We chose the Lexus for its relative efficiency compared with other <a title="Audi Q5 Quattro Hybrid" href="http://inhabitat.com/audi-unveils-its-first-hybrid-the-2013-audi-q5-hybrid-quattro/" target="_blank">sizeable SUVs</a>, its cargo capacity, and the comfort of its ride. After all, what could be cushier than a <a title="TEST DRIVE: Lexus ES Hybrid" href="http://inhabitat.com/the-new-lexus-es300h-we-test-drive-the-first-ever-hybrid-es-in-oregon-wine-country/" target="_blank">Lexus</a>, right? We were searching for a larger, more comfortable <a title="Inhabitat: hybrid car" href="http://inhabitat.com/index.php?s=hybrid+car" target="_blank">hybrid</a> than the average, to show that there are some alternatives out there for consumers wanting to go green without giving up their foot room - read on to see how it fared!

The Lexus looks like a pretty standard people mover from the outside, except a few sporty details on the side.

Lexus always options out its vehicles as much as possible for luxury and driver comfort, but we are wondering how much weight (and fuel) you could save by picking the simplest option packages.

If Lexus could take a few cues from Audi or Infiniti on how to design an aggressive and sporty-looking front end for an SUV, the RX450h package would be even better.

Turn signals on the mirrors, just another detail Lexus includes for everyone's comfort and enjoyment.

We're not impressed by SUVs that call themselves hybrids only to give you a couple more mpg than a standard SUV, but the RX450h goes a bit beyond that, at least if you don't weigh it down.

Tinted rear windows are a nice touch, especially for a road trip.

Yeah, like we said. Think about getting 34 mpg in a full-size SUV and try to forget the looks from some angles.

The RX450h has an electronically operated rear hatch, which is convenient if you're hauling gear. The option can be activated on the tailgate door or on your key fob remotely for hands-free access.

We fit quite a bit of stuff in the trunk of the RX450h, but we were surprised it couldn't handle even more. If you're carrying bulky items, plan on putting the rear seats down.

Heated and air conditioned leather seats were a nice addition to our trip.

Even the seats feel bouncy and cushy, which again is a matter of preference. You won't get sporty performance out of the RX450h, but maybe that's what makes it such an efficient hauler.

The RX450h has satellite radio, navigation, cupholders in all the right places including expandable door pockets, a floor cubby between the seats that is great for storing snacks, and all the connectivity for your devices you could want.

The doors have a nice heavy feel, but that also adds weight. Most hybrids and electric cars have a terrible tin can sound when you close the doors, in order to save weight. What would happen if you stripped one of these out? We're thinking 40 mpg+.

You can program the seat position, operate the mirrors and windows electronically.

This cupholder hides to the left of the steering wheel, a position that can be useful if your center console is full of other stuff.

The instrument cluster could scroll through several electronic menus, including electronic activation of eco mode (good for nothing), and a monitor of your average mpg (awesome).

Yup, the steering wheel is covered in electronics too.

We heart start buttons.

Oh yes, did we mention more electronics on the ceiling to operate the standard sunroof?

The navigation system worked very well, though we lost a signal a few times due to the extreme boondockiness of our position.

All the usual options for finding a destination by address, point of interest, or map are here. What is strange is that you're pointing to this screen using a sort of computer mouse embedded in the console by your right hand.

The sound system is great, and fully customizable.

Here's where we run into a problem. The car won't pair a phone unless it's parked, wouldn't play our DVD at all, and generally talked back.

Controls are pretty easy to navigate for audio and HVAC functions, though there always seems to be too much air flowing out of the vents no matter what setting you have it on.

That little plus and minus sign by the drive gear is a manumatic shifting option, so you can try to wrench some sporty performance out of the Lexus. It won't work, though.

There's that weird computer mouse. You get used to it, but the idea is supposed to be that it's easier to use a mouse than touch screen while driving a car, and it's nearly impossible since you aren't toggling from one option to another--you're actually trying to point a computer mouse at an on-screen button and click without giving it your whole attention.

This little tray inside the center console cubby holds one smart phone, and below that is a deep cubby with a USB connecter and standard car jack.

The rear door holds Lexus headphones for the DVD system or a drink.

DVD would have been a great option to have on vaca... if they had worked. We pushed every single button and tried to load a standard DVD with no success whatsoever. These must be magic-word voice activated.

We loved our weekend at the lake, and the RX450h was a nice choice for the trip both for its comfort and its decent gas mileage. We drove over 600 miles in 4 days, only filling the gas tank once. Now that's a nice way to spend a weekend.