Are luxury hybrids worth it?

Soon Lexus will be offering two luxury hybrids

What's the point of hybrid cars? To many it's all about fuel efficiency as hybrids represent an answer to foreign oil dependency or less cost on fuel. To many others, however, hybrids are simply about the environment.

Hybrids, even luxury hybrids, significantly reduce automobile emissions and that is great for the environment.

Still, some owners of the Lexus RX400h hybrid have complained about fuel efficiency. In reality; however, the RX400h offers very fair fuel economy for the performance that it provides.

Does this fuel economy justify the extra cost? Probably not. Yet, if fuel economy is your primary concern, why are you buying a luxury, performance-orientated vehicle?

The truth is, the Lexus RX400h is an "excellent" vehicle according to Consumer Reports. For the level of performance, the RX400h provides very good fuel economy. More important, the Lexus RX400h protects the environment and invests in hybrid technology. Eventually, this hybrid investment will lead to greater fuel economy in luxury hybrid vehicles.

Performance hybrids such as the Lexus RX400h and the upcoming Lexus GS450h hybrid sedan were not designed to save money at the gas pump. If you want to save money at the gas pump, then you buy a Toyota Prius or a Honda Civic hybrid.

While I'm not a huge fan of performance hybrids because foreign oil dependency is an important concern for me, I still appreciate these hybrids. Inevitably, an investment in any hybrid will lead to better, more fuel efficient hybrid technology for all hybrids, including luxury hybrid vehicles.

For luxury vehicle buyers, I give Lexus hybrids two thumbs up, way up.