2009 Lexus RX 450h

If you have the bucks for lux, this SUV is super

Sat, Oct 17th 2009

When I climbed into the Lexus RX450h, with its beautiful leather upholstery and wood trim, my first thought was to wonder how many people would even entertain the idea of letting their dogs inside it. My Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Bella, lying in the footwell of the passenger seat, seemed to be right at home, though, so I pushed the thought aside.

As it happened, the Lexus would not be getting just some simple drives to the veterinary clinic or pet supply store, our typical pet-related destinations. It took us first to the dog-friendly Montage Resort, allowing us to test out the navigation system. Once we figured out how to work the system, which includes voice command, a backup camera and XM traffic monitoring, it was pretty easy to use. The little joystick is simple to operate, but for safety reasons the navigation system is inoperable while the car is in motion. We wished there was some way to allow only the passenger to enter in directions.

But that wasn’t the real test. We were hosting a fund-raiser at a park that weekend and needed to be able to haul one long, large box, plus several other boxes and bags of various sizes, and a medium-size crate.

Turns out the Precious, I mean, the Lexus isn’t just a show pony. A clever lever in the cargo area allowed us to easily lower the rear passenger seats. They don’t lie completely horizontal, but they went down far enough for our purposes. The large box and the crate fit snugly next to each other, and the other boxes and bags filled the rest of the space, front to back, top to bottom.

Dog-friendly accoutrements in the cargo area include tie-downs, a power outlet for fans or a cooler, air-conditioning vents and even a small first-aid kit. Close the hatch with a simple push of a button if your hands are full or you simply don’t want to expend the effort to pull it down; similarly, raise it when you’re parked by pushing and holding the button to the left of the steering wheel.

For human occupants, a push-button starter, personalized seat settings, satellite radio, individual temperature control for driver and passengers, a sunroof, cupholders in the back seat and a deep center console between the two front seats are among the amenities. And I have hardly mentioned the hybrid technology that powers the car. As it begins to move forward, it has the same little “hitch” I experienced in the Highlander Hybrid, but after that the ride is smooth and silent with good acceleration and stopping power.

Dislikes? I had the same problem with the side-view mirror that I did with the Highlander: it’s too big! Instead of aiding my view, it blocked it. As much as I enjoyed the ride, I was happy to get back into my regular car with its normal-size mirror.

Would I want wet, sandy dogs jumping into it after a day at the beach? Not without carefully covering the seats first. Would it hold a couple of large crates? Possibly, with a little judicious arranging. Did I get great gas mileage? Yes. Most cars I test drive use three-quarters of a tank in a week. The Lexus still had more than half a tank. Did I love driving it? You bet!

-- Kim Campbell Thornton

Carguy Comments: The Lexus RX450h provides a combination of 3.5-liter six-cylinder gasoline engine providing 245 horsepwoer without includignthe hybrid drive. There are two electric motors int he two-wheel drive version and three in the all-wheel-drive model. One motor drives the generator, starter and transmission ratio control, another drives the front wheels and regenerative braking. The third motor drives the real wheels and braking. Cargo volume is 80.3 cu. ft. with the rear seats folded down. Interior is 70 inches deep, 45 inches wide and 29 inches tall.

-- Keith Turner, The Family Car

Barking Lot Banter: If you have a yen for great mileage, the bucks for lux and are willing to share it with your dog, this SUV is a no-brainer.