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Lexus UX 300e

By Bill McCarthy

LEXUS styling and build quality has always been impeccable, not to mention its brand desirability as a premium vehicle.

And as the rush to electrification gathers pace, the brand is in a pretty unique position to take advantage, having been a leader in the hybrid market for a good 15 years, when the RX 400h hit the roads. Parent firm Toyota goes even further back with the iconic Prius.

Now Lexus has gone the whole hog with the compact UX 300e, a stylish car that is now available in full electric mode as well as hybrid.

It has a striking design, all sharp angles and creases with sculpted side panels. It features the now familiar spindle grille, together with eye-catching light clusters, distinctive bespoke 18-inch aerodynamic alloys on this model. In addition, the chiselled-looking rear end with full width light bar gives it a real road presence.

As with the growing trend with full electric cars, it is barely distinguishable from other UX models, with just the word ‘electric’ on the door.

It is offered with single equipment grade, UX, but options like the Premium  pack here and Takumi Packs provide additional equipment features.

The interior is typical Lexus quality, refined with high-end leather hand stitched leather seats and finish to dash and doors together with soft materials throughout. Major functions are controlled by a central touchscreen and can also be operated from a small keypad next to the drive selector. 

The standard specification includes aluminium roof rails, bi-LED headlights, front and rear parking sensors, illuminated entry, eight-way power front seat adjustment, power steering wheel adjustment, seven-inch display, reversing camera, six-speaker audio system with DAB, four USB ports and Aux socket and smartphone connectivity using Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Premium Plus Pack here adds smooth leather upholstery, heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, heated outer rear seats, rear privacy glass, smart keyless entry, card key, smartphone wireless charger and illuminated door handles with puddle lights.

On the road, the front-wheel drive battery-powered electric vehicle (BEV) system uses the latest lithium-ion technology, and high performance motor to deliver a claimed range of up to 196 miles and rapid acceleration from a standing start, so typical of electric cars.

A clever touch is the heating element system under each of the battery’s modules. This minimises the impact of low temperatures on the driving range, ensuring full power is available from start-up.

It hits 60 in under eight seconds, however despite feeling stable, piling on the power causes the steering to snatch, or torque steer slightly.

Otherwise it accelerates away smoothly, with only a hint of road noise intruding into the cabin. The handling is good and it feels agile when cornering, while the steering is direct and nicely weighted.

It also offers a stable ride, with low centre of gravity, thanks to the battery being located under the car body and the electric motor set low in the engine compartment, while new shock absorbers give greater control.

Despite the large battery, boot space  has actually increased by 47 litres to 486 litres, when loaded to the roof, which is made easier with the availability of a hands-free power tailgate.

In practical terms front head and legroom are excellent but it is a bit more cramped in the back and three adults might feel some discomfort over longer journeys.

You would expect a hushed interior with a premium vehicle and cabin noise is reduced by the thickness and weight of the battery pack under the cabin floor, which acts as a sound-insulating barrier. In addition, undercovers and wing liners reduce the noise generated by small stones, dirt, water and the road surface, while acoustic window glass reduces wind noise.

Safety kit is comprehensive and includes full complement of airbags Pre-Collision System with pedestrian detection, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Trace Assist, Road Sign Assist and Automatic High Beam

Lexus rarely disappoints and this model is no exception.

FAST FACTS

Lexus UX 300e Premium Plus Pack

Price: £45,995

Mechanical: 201bhp, 150kW electric motors driving front wheels via auto transmission

Max Speed: 99mph

0-62mph: 7.5 seconds

Electric range: 196

Insurance Group: 38-39

C02 emissions: 0 g/km

Warranty: 3yrs/62,000 miles

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Lexus UX hybrid

By Bill McCarthy

It would be some surprise if a Lexus didn’t have eye-catching looks, even in the form of an SUV.

The firm says the UX hybrid presents a premium vehicle with innovative luxury and safety in a package that combines bold new designs and the fourth generation of parent firm Toyota’s self-charging hybrid system, featuring a two litre petrol engine mated with electric motor.

This combo, delivers a combined 181bhp for excellent economy, lowish emissions and at times sporty performance – not forgetting the practicality offered by and SUV. It can hit 60mph in a shade over eight seconds, which is pretty sharp acceleration, while the driver can select from three drive modes via a rotary knob on the side of the steering column.

It is the first Lexus to be constructed using the new Global Architecture – Compact (GA-C) platform, with lightweight, rigid structure. Combined with low centre of gravity and Lexus’s Adaptive Variable Suspension, it feels particularly stable when cornering, a big bonus for an SUV.

It does look good and features all the usual stylish light clusters, sharp edged styling and body creases long associated with the brand. These include the signature deep grille and lower spindle grille with an eye-catching new mesh pattern.

The wheel arch mouldings surrounding the 18-inch alloys on this model are designed to protect the bodywork from gravel thrown up by the tyres, they also give the motor a slightly rugged appeal, although off road is not an option on this model, but it does look good at the school gates.

The interior has a real high-end feel with a mixture of leather and chrome and and the semi wraparound dash has the feeling of a cockpit. Luxury extends throughout the cabin. For example, the three-spoke steering wheel and analogue clock are from the Lexus LS flagship saloon

‘Toyota are no slouches with hybrid technology after the success of the Prius all those years ago’

Controls include a in a seven-inch TFT display which display power readings from the hybrid and the Lexus Remote Touch Interface on the central console next to the gearshift, which is a touchpad/keypad controller. I found it a bit fiddly getting the cursor in the right position, but it’s a clever bit of kit, designed to mimic common phone gesture controls, such as double tapping and flicking.

Centrepiece is 10.3-inch multi-function screen controlling navigation, infotainment and connectivity, including Apple CarPlay or Android Auto compatibility, and also monitoring how the hybrid system is working. The interior also includes white LEDs illuminate the front footwells, glovebox, and console switches and are featured in the dome light, map lights and cargo area light.

Toyota are no slouches with hybrid technology after the initial success of the Prius all those years ago. Depress the EV button when driving slowly and the front electric motor runs the car from the hybrid battery to deliver zero emissions. In real-world city driving it can use electric power for a significant proportion of every journey – up to 55 per cent, depending on the driving conditions, says the firm.

Increase speed and the engine cuts in while still receiving assistance from the electric motor when required. Under hard acceleration, the electric motor instantaneously supplements the performance, but the transmission can get a bit noisy before calming down.

For practicality, it goes without saying that an SUV is practical, even the more compact models like this one. It features standard roof rails for extra cargo capacity, while the folding, tumbling seats offer cargo space from 320 up the 1,231 litres of space. There are also other cubby holes, large central bin and various other compartments.

All models are packed with equipment, with this model including 18-inch alloy wheels, reversing camera with front and rear parking sensors, heated, multi-function steering wheel, rear privacy glass, integrated heating in the front seats and steering wheel and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror.

The comprehensive safety kit includes a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control , lane departure alert with steering assist, road sign assist, and automatic high beam. In addition there is a full complement of airbags and hill start assist.

This is a premium car and as electric power continues to take over, it has plenty to offer.

Factfile

Lexus UX Premium pack with Navi

Price: £33,000

Mechanical: Combined 181bhp, 2,487cc, four cylinder petrol engine and electric motor driving front via CVT auto gearbox

Max speed: 110mph

0-62mph: 8.3 seconds

Combined mpg: 49-53 (WLTP)

Insurance group: 22E

CO2 emissions: 124g/km

Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles