88 | AUSTRALIAN NEW CAR & SUV BUYER’S GUIDE
B
ased on Toyota’s “New Global
Architecture” that also
underpins the closely related
C-HR and Corolla, the Lexus UX
(for Urban Explorer) slots in
beneath the NX, though it’s really
less a pure SUV than a hatch-on-
stilts, Mercedes GLA-style.
Indeed, the Merc seems
to have informed the UX’s
positioning as well as
proportioning, starting from
$44,450. Even the base model
is generously equipped, with
navigation, a huge display screen,
digital radio, LED headlights,
powered steering column,
electric and heated front seats,
keyless entry/start and adaptive
cruise control with stop/go.
Next up is the $8550-extra
Sports Luxury, adding 18-inch
alloys with runfl at tyres (so no
spare), leather, vented front
seat cushions, upgraded audio,
improved reverse camera and
jazzier trim.
Finally, the F Sport fl agship for
just $450 more scores a body kit,
racier front seats, steering wheel
and cabin trimmings, adaptive
dampers and “Active Sound
Control” for a fruitier exhaust note.
While the low-slung UX might
seem tight inside, the cabin is
deceptively roomy front and
rear, with supportive seating
for four (or fi ve at a squeeze),
an excellent driving position,
modern, distinctive dash
layout, high-quality fi ttings and
pleasing attention to detail.
The instruments are multi-
confi gurable too — though Lexus’
touchpad controller can be
infuriatingly fi ddly. Where space
is limited is behind the seats, due
to a pitifully shallow boot.
Two drivetrains are offered: the
front-wheel drive petrol UX200
and the petrol-electric hybrid
UX250h for $3500 more. The latter
can also be had in all-wheel-drive
Sport Luxury and F-Sport hybrid
grades for a $4500 premium.
I’d go hybrid every time as the
UX200’s 126kW/205Nm 2.0-litre
naturally aspirated four-cylinder
engine delivers pretty dull
performance in this age of rortyturbos, requiring plenty of revs on
the (digital) counter before speed
really picks up. The problem with
that is it then sounds raucous
under even moderate acceleration,
sending unwelcome levels of
noise and vibration through to the
otherwise hushed interior.
Mated to a continuously
variable transmission featuring a
torque-converter fi rst gear for a
more eager take-off feel, Lexus
has clearly tuned this unit for
economy rather than excitement.
In contrast, the UX250h —
which combines the 2.0-litre
engine with two electric motors
and a different type of CVT —
is livelier off the line, quicker
through the mid-range and
more economical to boot, while
providing an altogether sweeter
and quieter operation.
We’re also hesitant to
recommend the top-line F Sport
unless you only travel along
ultra-smooth roads, because —
despite trick adaptive damper
tech — the suspension can
become harsh and loud, evenover moderate bumps. The fact
is, with regular rather than
runfl at tyres, the base Luxury’s
standard 17-inch wheel/tyre
set-up is the best compromise if
comfort is your priority.
Still, the UX can be a
rewarding drive thanks to light
yet measured steering, sharp
handling and secure, controlled
and surefooted roadholding.
Suspension is via struts up front
and wishbones out back.
Overall, the littlest Lexus
crossover is a reasonable drive ,
but remember, it is very grade-
dependent. Take a test drive in
Toyota’s C-HR, too. It’s from
the same family, but at much
lower prices because it’s got a
Toyota badge.By Byron MathioudakisSafety
Not yet tested
PerformanceHandlingQuality and reliabilityComfort and refi nementValue for moneyOverallSTARS
THINGS WE LIKE
Premium cabin
Striking design
UX250h’s performance, refi nement
and economy
Involving steering and handling
Quality craftsmanship
THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE
Ride on F-Sport is too fi rm, too
noisy
Noisy, rowdy engine in UX200
No spare wheel on Sport Luxury
and F-Sport grades
Fiddly multimedia touchpad
Shallow boot
No Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
connectivity
The hybrids can’t tow
SPEX (UX250H LUXURY)
Made in Japan
2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol-elec-
tric hybrid/CVT/front-wheel drive
131kW of power (combined) at
6600rpm/188Nm of torque from
4400-5200rpm
0-100km in 8.5 seconds (claimed)
4.6L/100km highway; 4.3L/100km
city; 91 octane; CO2 emissions are
103g/km; fuel tank is 52 litres
Warranty: Four years/100,000km
Standard: Eight airbags, stability
control, AEB, adaptive cruise with
stop/go, lane keep assist, traffi c
sign recognition, auto high beam,
blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffi c
alert, parking sensors, camera, tyre-
pressure monitoring, digital radio,
LED headlights, power-adjustable
steering column, powered and
heated front seats, leather, roof rails,
17-inch alloys, space-saver spare
Redbook future values: 3yr: 52%;
5yr: 40%LEXUS UX FROM $44,450
compare with ...
Audi Q2/Q3, BMW X1/X2, Jaguar
E-Pace, Mercedes GLA, Mini
Countryman, Toyota C-HR, Volvo XC40