Lexus doesn't have a good history with the ads for its hybrid SUVs in Europe. Not too long ago, Toyota got into trouble for running the slogan "HIGH PERFORMANCE. LOW EMISSIONS. ZERO GUILT" in reference to its Lexus RX 400h hybrid SUV. The marque is back in the Advertising Standards Authority's doghouse for another ad for the same vehicle. Here's the wording that got banned: "THE LEXUS RX 400h. PERFECT FOR TODAY'S CLIMATE, (AND TOMORROW'S)" Under that text, it says, "Driving the world's first luxury hybrid SUV makes environmental, and economic, sense."

Four complaints brought the ad to the ASA's attention, and the body deemed that Lexus was misleading customers into thinking that the vehicle has low emissions in comparison to all other vehicles. Toyota claims, though, that it was only comparing the SUV with other vehicles in its class. No dice. Because the RX 400h sports 192g/km of carbon emissions, it ain't helping the climate any. The ad was banned and subsequently revised, as you can see in the picture above.

[Source: The Guardian]

For the sake of comparison, the non-hybrid version of the Lexus RX sport utility manages to get 18/23 miles per gallon. The government reckons you'll spend $3,203 on a year's supply of gasoline for this vehicle. On the flip side of the coin, the RX hybrid gets 27/24 and will run you $2,562 for your yearly fuel. So, choosing the hybrid will save the driver $641 a year for gas. Still, the hybrid Lexus is meant to improve the performance of the vehicle in addition to its added efficiency. We hear it moves along quite nicely too, and the driver likely enjoys their time in the highly inviting cockpit and enjoys the stellar reliability that the Lexus is so likely to deliver. Still, this is a list of green vehicles, and the RX just doesn't match up with the top few vehicles on our list. Read on.

While it's no surprise to hear that Lexus will be showing off a more luxurious version of the Prius hybrid sedan, Inside Line is reporting that the upcoming model will be priced over $30,000 and possibly have an older brother in the form of a dedicated hybrid crossover utility vehicle. Based on Toyota's midsize sedan architecture, the crossover vehicle would be similar in size to the hybrid RX that Lexus already sells in pretty good numbers. We have no information on whether Lexus plans to offer both hybrid utility vehicles at the same time.

According to IL's sources, the un-named Lexus Prius model will appear sometime in calender year 2010, which should be about a year after the third-generation Prius arrives. The hybrid CUV would follow a year later in 2011. Again, rumor has it that the Lexus hybrids could be the first application of lithium ion batteries in a Toyota-built hybrid vehicle.

[Source: Inside Line]