Lexus values both the pleasure of driving and exceptional environmental performance. The RX450h’s Lexus Hybrid Drive embodies the true meaning of high performance under this approach. The hybrid system provides a high level of performance that is “Fuel-efficient: low fuel consumption”, “Clean: low emissions”, “Fun-to-drive: excellent driving performance”, and “Quietness: exceptional quietness”. It achieves this with a front wheel drive hybrid system consisting of a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a front motor, and E-Four (Electric four-wheel drive) which drives the rear wheels as needed with a rear motor that operates independently of the front motor. The RX450h relies on front wheel drive during normal driving but smoothly switches to 4WD to help assure stability and control in driving conditions such as hard acceleration and slippery roads. In addition, a regenerative function converts kinetic energy into electrical energy during decelerating and braking, and uses it to charge the battery.