Range Rover HSE vs. Lexus RX 400h

Here are more notes on the Range Rover HSE from the male, female, family and senior perspectives:

Men: My husband, Derick Alexander, noted the "super smooth drive" on the Range Rover HSE. He also enjoyed sitting up high like in a "captain's chair." He was very impressed with how the in-dash screen gives you a picture of what's behind the car when you go into reverse - something you definitely need in a car full of blind spots.

Women: The Giverny green (a sage green color) and gunmetal silver trim exterior was feminine enough for the girls and gritty enough for guys. The ivory/aspen leather seats with gray piping were stylish and super comfortable with electric movements for the front two plush seats, including such amenities as a moving headrest and in-seat butt warmers. However, many of the controls seemed too far away from the driver, especially the radio and navigation modes. But the confusing controls could be understood over time and the easy-to-drive Range Rover HSE's smooth ride could make any woman's day brighter. Plus, I didn't try the voice control for audio, telephone and navigation, but this hands-free controls feature is very female-friendly, especially when dealing with kids in the back seat or fitting in some more work time while on the road.

Family: Our kids truly love any multimedia package and the Range Rover didn't disappoint with screens inside the two headrests and a mobile remote control. However, this does pose a problem with the baby seated in the middle of the back seat. For some families, the best solution might be a drop-down screen from the middle of the inside roof. The back seat was quite spacious and even somewhat comfortable even with the baby's car seat hogging the mid section. Also, the truck-like hatch and tailgate combination was very convenient for loading and unloading packages and groceries.

Seniors: Grandma Joanne said the Range Rover's seat was "way too high" for her to get up and down, even though she is a tall woman. She thought the front dash panels were "too confusing" and "too far away" for the driver to reach easily.

Lexus RX 400h

The valet at The St. Regis Monarch Beach mentioned it before I even got out of the car. "Is this the new Lexus hybrid?" he questioned. "Yes!" I exclaimed, as he offered his hand to help me out of the silver metallic beauty.

Consumer Reports picked these three hybrids - the Honda Accord, Lexus RX 400h and Toyota Prius as "outstanding overall packages that score at or near the top of their categories in our ratings."

We had just driven down Pacific Coast Highway in this super smooth and quiet vehicle, passing Pacific oceans views of Crystal Cove and Laguna Beach.

I slowly pulled in my driveway and sat for a spell, listening to the enticing beat of Madonna latest song, "Get Off the Street," which made me feel as if I was back on the freeway, speeding like an eagle: fast, sleek, noiseless and at one with the ever-recycling component of nature. And imagine, I was driving in a car that lives off electricity instead of wasteful fossil fuels. Thankfully, the Lexus RX 400h made me feel as if I was one with the energy of God in this effortless drive at warp speeds.

Here are more notes on the Lexus RX 400h from the male, female, family and senior perspectives:

Women:

Family:

Senior: My 70-year-old mother, Rev. Joanne Tucker, fell in love with this car. She found the Lexus RX 400h to be a "very user-friendly vehicle." She said most SUVs are built high off the ground, making it difficult for her to get into the driver or passenger seat. "However, I had no trouble slipping easily into this amazing car," she wrote. She was very impressed with the in-dash controls for changing stations on the radio, adjusting sound volume and, especially, the temperature controls. "With just a touch of an easy-to-reach button, the temperature adjusts to the driver's comfort zone," she added. She also believed the gas-saving engine "smoothly alternates between fossil fuel and electricity without notice" and "has power when needed to speed into traffic or change lanes on the freeway."