This may quickly be one of many rarest Lexus UX fashions ever supplied in Australia.

Earlier this yr Lexus Australia introduced simply 250 examples of the Lexus UX 250 h F Sport Design Particular Version are coming Down Beneath.

This limited-edition UX variant is predicated on the entry-level Luxurious and comes with a variety of options that make it appear to be an F Sport. A few of these options embody a body-coloured wheel arches, F Sport badging and 18-inch alloy wheels with run-flat tyres.

There’s additionally black roof rails, facet mirror caps, in addition to a contrast-painted roof. The latter of those options is a primary for the UX.

The Lexus UX has been round for just a few years now – it launched domestically in 2018 – and pioneered series-parallel hybrid know-how within the premium small SUV section.

Various European rivals has since launched mild-hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or all-electric powertrains.

Does the Lexus UX nonetheless type as a gorgeous small SUV providing? Learn alongside to search out out.

How does the Lexus UX fare vs its opponents?

View an in depth breakdown of the Lexus UX in opposition to equally sized autos.

Lexus

UX

How a lot does the Lexus UX 250h price?

The 2024 Lexus UX vary begins from $46,085 earlier than on-road prices for the UX 200 Luxurious.

The UX 250h F Sport Design Particular Version on take a look at right here is round $12,500 dearer than the entry-level variant at $58,620 earlier than on-road prices. Our tester was completed in Sonic Chrome metallic which provides an additional $1750, bringing the entire to $60,370 earlier than on-roads.

When it comes to opponents, the Lexus UX 250h F Sport Design Particular Version is priced equally to the next:

All costs are earlier than on-road prices.

2024 Lexus UX pricing:

• Lexus UX 200 Luxurious: $46,085
• Lexus UX 250h Luxurious + Enhancement Pack 2: $54,320
• Lexus UX 200 Sports activities Luxurious: $56,850
• Lexus UX 200 F Sport: $57,495
• Lexus UX 250h F Sport Design Particular Version: $58,620
• Lexus UX 250h Sports activities Luxurious: $61,350
• Lexus UX 250h F Sport: $61,995
• Lexus UX 250h Sports activities Luxurious AWD: $65,850
• Lexus UX 250h F Sport AWD: $66,495
• Lexus UX 300e Luxurious: $79,990
• Lexus UX 300e Sports activities Luxurious: $87,665

Costs are earlier than on-road prices

What’s the Lexus UX 250h like on the within?

Strolling as much as the Lexus UX 250h F Sport Design Particular Version and unlocking it offers you with a well-recognized sound that’s shared throughout a lot of Lexus and Toyota fashions. If , .

Thanks partly to the raised experience peak, ingress and egress within the UX is tremendous simple as you don’t have to step up or down.

The UX 250h F Sport Design Particular Version comes as commonplace with NuLuxe upholstery which is actually Lexus-speak for synthetic leather-based. It’s actually comfortable and feels divine, at the very least to me. It may be had in both Black or White Ash, with our tester that includes the previous.

Along with the seats feeling comfortable to the contact, the driving force’s seat is tremendous comfy with loads of facet bolstering to carry you in place. I appreciated the quantity of thigh adjustment there was as effectively.

Forward of the driving force is a thick, squidgy leather-wrapped steering wheel that’s just like nearly each different Lexus mannequin from the previous few years. The one distinction this steering wheel has when in comparison with an ES, for instance, is it misses out on the picket accents.

The steering wheel push buttons have a barely spongey motion which when pushed don’t really feel very exact. For example, it’s a must to push the amount buttons in a selected spot for it to truly register, which generally is a little irritating.

Behind the steering wheel is the place you begin see this particular version is actually a dressed-up base mannequin because it receives the essential 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, as a substitute of the bigger and extra subtle 8.0-inch unit.

This 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster seems to be dated and a bit low-resolution. It additionally misses out on the cool shifting round aspect that correct F Sport variant receives.

Your complete left-hand facet of this digital instrument cluster seems to be prefer it has been taken straight from another low-end Toyota. This isn’t actually becoming in a Lexus that’s $60,000.

On the flip facet, the brand new 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system is among the up to date Lexus UX’s greatest options.

This new unit may be very high-resolution and has heaps of processing energy. This implies the infotainment system begins up shortly once you begin the automobile, and new content material masses snappily.

The brand new infotainment system now helps wi-fi Apple CarPlay, whereas Android Auto continues to be solely accessible in wired type.

All through my time with the tester I solely used wi-fi Apple CarPlay, which labored flawlessly aside from one journey house the place it simply outright refused to acknowledge that my telephone was related.

To maintain my telephone battery topped up whereas utilizing wi-fi CarPlay there’s fortunately a wi-fi telephone charger that I used to be stunned to see really cost my telephone. A whole lot of vehicles I drive with wi-fi chargers normally cost my telephone correctly because the charging coils don’t align correctly.

If it is advisable cost your telephone extra reliably there are additionally two USB-C ports that situated close to the wi-fi telephone charger.

The UX’s infotainment system comes commonplace with satellite tv for pc navigation which felt simply as simple to make use of as Google Maps on a telephone. Trying to find factors of curiosity was tremendous easy, not like some automobile’s inbuilt navigation techniques.

I admire the UX has a row of bodily buttons for the local weather controls. This makes it very easy to shortly change the temperature, or whether or not the air is coming from the skin or recirculating.

One thing that could be a little irritating, nonetheless, is though there’s a button for the place the air is pointing, for instance, the one strategy to see what it’s set to is on the touchscreen. It additionally doesn’t show this info whilst you’re utilizing smartphone mirroring.

Across the cabin there are many comfortable plastics and supplies. The door armrests, in addition to the centre console are wrapped in a brilliant comfortable and spongey materials. You don’t should look too far although to search out more durable plastics.

I actually like how there’s minimal shiny piano black across the cabin of this specific UX. What’s there as a substitute are matte darkish gray plastics that don’t present close to as many fingerprints, or get as noticeably scratched or grubby as shortly.

Apart from the instrument cluster, one other strategy to inform this UX is a dressed up base mannequin are the clean buttons. Subsequent to the gear selector is a cluster of buttons which solely has the heated seats. There are clean buttons for the place the controls for the ventilated seats and heated steering wheel would usually be.

Capping off the primary row is a small sunroof that Lexus calls a ‘moonroof’. It’s capable of tilt and slide with buttons situated on the headliner.

Transferring to the second row there’s no actual noticeable step down when it comes to high quality or atmosphere. The second-row seats are simply as comfortable because the entrance.

At a leggy 182cm tall I needed to splay my legs across the driver’s seat in an effort to get comfy. Head, shoulder, and toe room however are all fully effective.

When it comes to second-row facilities, there are air vents on the again of the centre console, USB-C ports, in addition to a fold-down armrest with cupholders.

The boot of the Lexus UX is powered and will be operated with a hands-free performance. This is useful in case you have your arms full and might’t contort your self right into a place that permits you to push the button.

As soon as the tailgate is open you could be a bit bit disillusioned with the space for storing on supply. With a claimed 368 litres of boot house, it’s actually disappointing I can’t sit my backpack upright with out hitting the flimsy load cowl.

What’s much more disappointing that is the dearth of a spare wheel. There’s not even a tyre restore equipment as UX fashions with 18-inch alloy wheels have run-flat tyres. This setup actually doesn’t work for individuals who reside in rural or regional areas that don’t all the time have prepared entry to tyre outlets within the occasion of a puncture.

What’s underneath the bonnet?

The Lexus UX 250h is powered by a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine with one electrical motor and a 216V nickel-metal hydride battery pack. It’s mated solely to an e-CVT.

The petrol engine within the hybrid powertrain produces 107kW and 188Nm, with the front-mounted electrical motor producing 80kW and 202Nm. Whole system output for the hybrid powertrain is 135kW of energy.

The Lexus UX vary can also be accessible with a non-hybridised 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine with 126kW and 205Nm.

Lexus claims the UX 250h has a mixed financial system determine of 4.5 litres per 100km. Throughout our time with the tester which consisted of 660km of city, metropolitan, and regional driving, it consumed a mean of 5.2 litres per 100km. That is just a bit bit increased than what I used to be anticipating.

It has a 43-litre gasoline tank and requires a minimal of 91 RON common unleaded petrol.

How does the Lexus UX 250h drive?

Beginning up the Lexus UX 250h F Sport Design Particular Version is essentially a silent affair, with the one actual strategy to inform you’ve turned the automobile on being a beep.

After this the engine can change on if it’s not already warmed up in an effort to get the all of the fluids to working temperatures. For those who’re driving slowly or decelerating as soon as the engine is heat it’ll change off, permitting you to drive in EV mode.

Energy from the two.0-litre hybrid powertrain is enough, although it’s by no means actually breathtaking. There’s an preliminary surge as all of the torque the electrical motor can present is offered from standstill, although it’s a bit delicate.

Simply as you get shifting, or for those who press the accelerator a bit more durable, the engine will kick into life which takes you out of the phantasm of EV-only driving fairly shortly.

The precise swap over from electrical to petrol energy is basically seamless, which is one thing I can’t say for a lot of different hybrids. There’s no noticeable lurching or unbalanced feeling.

For those who actually punch the accelerator, the UX 250h the engine will fireplace right away and also you’ll get the place it is advisable go, however you gained’t be successful any races. You may inform it doesn’t need to be pushed shortly, and as a substitute economically.

At low speeds the UX 250h is ready to energy itself on electrical energy alone for almost all of time, and when it’s in EV mode it’s silent. It’s going to change on the petrol engine at any time when it will probably, nonetheless, to cost the battery or present help in getting to hurry.

I wasn’t anticipating the electrical a part of the UX 250h’s hybrid powertrain to be so weak. I’m not sure if that is because of the older and fewer subtle nickel-metal hydride battery pack, the electrical motor itself, or a mixture of the 2.

I keep in mind once I drove the up to date Corolla Hybrid earlier this yr it will maintain in its EV mode for longer and was capable of present extra energy from the electrical motor. This mannequin is now geared up with a lithium-ion battery pack for reference.

As a result of lack of EV energy I discovered myself taking part in a sport to try to hold the petrol engine from switching on as a lot as doable. It was in these moments I longed for an opportunity to make use of regenerative braking, which on this automobile has a seamless transition to friction braking.

The UX 250h has a extremely tight turning circle and lightweight steering which offers to make parking an absolute breeze. This specific UX variant is fitted with rear and entrance nook parking sensors, in addition to a reversing digicam. A surround-view digicam is offered on up-spec variants.

Round city and on metropolis streets the Lexus UX feels surprisingly dynamic to drive. This can be a widespread trait that I’ve seen in Toyota and Lexus autos which might be primarily based on the TNGA platform.

The low-speed experience is basically comfy, with it capable of take pimply city roads and velocity bumps all in its stride. Build up the velocity nonetheless is the place the UX begins to get out of its consolation zone.

At freeway speeds the two.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine stays on virtually on a regular basis. This isn’t world-ending, although it actually has to rev in an effort to stand up to increased speeds.

The hybrid powertrain is mated with an digital repeatedly variable transmission (e-CVT) which is understood for its lack of engine braking. Due to the regenerative braking nonetheless, this is ready to negate the velocity that’s gained whereas touring downhill.

Regardless of the engine having to work to take care of freeway speeds, the crossover feels planted and is a snug cruiser. There may be quite a lot of street noise, nonetheless, which makes you attain for quantity dial.

On the protection entrance, the Lexus UX 250h’s adaptive cruise management system is okay, although it typically detects a automobile that’s ages away and begins to decelerate for it – even does this when the space management is ready to the closest setting.

The adaptive cruise management system defaults to the furthest distance each single time it’s activated, which is a traditional Toyota and Lexus function. You recover from this beautiful shortly, although it’s a bit annoying to press the space management button a lot of occasions to get it to your required place.

The blind-spot monitoring system is a good and typically important function to have in a brand new automobile, although I discovered the system on this UX was a bit delicate and would typically detect a automobile two lanes over. If you would go to vary lanes on this situations the automobile would freak out, which doesn’t actually encourage confidence.

Lastly, the lane-keep help works effectively for probably the most half. The lane centring perform however will get misplaced fairly simply. I didn’t actually like how the latter of those capabilities jerked on the steering wheel and didn’t find yourself utilizing it as I felt I might steer extra naturally.

What do you get?

UX 250h F Sport Design Particular Version highlights:

Exterior

• 18-inch darkish premium metallic alloy wheels
• “Bespoke” grille
• “Bespoke” entrance and rear bumpers
• Black roof rails
• Black facet mirror caps
• Two-tone roof
• Panoramic sunroof
• Energy tailgate

Inside

• 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster
• 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wi-fi Apple CarPlay
• Wired Android Auto
• DAB+ digital radio
• 10-speaker sound system
• Head-up show
• Wi-fi telephone charger
• Good key card
• Washi paper ornamentation
• Black or White Ash NuLuxe leather-accented upholstery
• Heated entrance seats
• 8-way energy driver’s seat

Is the Lexus UX 250h secure?

The Lexus UX has a five-star ANCAP security score primarily based on testing performed in 2019.

All fashions obtained an grownup occupant safety rating of 96 per cent, baby occupant safety rating of 88 per cent, susceptible street consumer safety rating of 82 per cent and a security help rating of 83 per cent.

Customary security options embody:

• AEB incl. Pedestrian, Bicycle owner (day) detection
• Lane departure warning
• Lane Tracing Help
• Site visitors signal recognition
• Adaptive cruise management with cease/go
• Automated high-beam
• Parking help monitor
• 8 airbags

All bar the bottom UX 200 additionally function blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

All Lexus UX fashions obtain a three-year complimentary Lexus Related Companies subscription

Key security options embody:

• Automated collision notification
• SOS emergency calling
• Stolen automobile monitoring
• Final identified automobile location
• Latest journey info
• Diagnostics knowledge
• Door lock standing
• Doorways, home windows, bonnet, boot standing
• Tyre pressures
• Hazard gentle standing

The UX additionally has Lexus Distant Join which permits homeowners to remotely begin the engine, unlock or lock the boot, and activate the hazard lights and a buzzer.

How a lot does the Lexus UX 250h price to run?

The Lexus UX is roofed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee, like all new Lexus fashions.

Servicing is required each 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first, and the primary three companies are capped at $495.

CarExpert’s Tackle the Lexus UX 250h

It’s possible all native examples of the Lexus UX 250h F Sport Design Particular Version are already spoken for, however you may have the ability to discover one in vendor inventory for those who’re fortunate.

Though it might seem this limited-edition mannequin is a full-blown F Sport at first look, when you spend a little bit of time and go searching there are apparent indicators pointing towards it being primarily based on an entry-level Luxurious.

These embody the clean buttons, and fewer subtle digital instrument cluster, amongst others.

Regardless of this, I’m an enormous fan of how comfortable and plush the entry-level Luxurious’s NuLuxe seat upholstery is. I don’t thoughts in any respect that it’s not correct leather-based.

The UX 250h with its series-parallel hybrid powertrain continues to show itself as a reliable, fuel-efficient, and surprisingly dynamic premium small SUV providing that feels most at house within the city surrounds.

The inside now additionally receives a infotainment system that’s correctly high-resolution and has snappy processing energy. It’s additionally helpful that wi-fi Apple CarPlay has been launched as you don’t want to fret a few cable.

Issues do begin to come undone nonetheless once you take the UX 250h out on the open street, because the hybrid powertrain runs out of puff and there’s a good bit of street noise. It’s additionally actually disappointing there’s no spare wheel or perhaps a tyre restore equipment, as run-flat tyres aren’t a viable possibility for everybody.

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