- Lexus know how to make a striking looking jacked up hatch

BABY LEX: 2019 Lexus UX review

The Lexus UX is the smallest SUV in the brand's lineup. Except it isn't, its an "urban crossover" I got to sample both petrol and hybrid versions.

2y ago
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Put simply, SUV’s are cleaning up in the New Zealand new car market. Whether it’s a gargantuan seven-seater devourer of trails, or a five door “urban crossover” hatchback, pretty much every global mainstream manufacturer has at least one type of SUV in its family.

The latter of the two previously mentioned segments has seen the biggest surge in popularity, which is why Lexus has given us the UX, its smallest Urban Crossover, which already is proving to be a sales success for the premium Japanese brand. I was given the chance to sample the petrol and hybrid versions and see what’s what.

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It was inevitable that Lexus would go down the small crossover route. With 70 percent of its sales coming from the SUV market, the UX is already bringing in a whole wave of new Lexus loyalists. Styling wise, it’s quintessentially Lexus, with plenty of sharp angles and cleanly cut lines. Plus, that rather pronounced front grill has been a Lexus calling card for many a moon and looks great.

Probably the best bit of design for this writer is at the rear. Those thin taillights with LED wraparound light bar look great and compliments the sloping rear roofline really well. Basically, you aren’t going to lose your car while in your local mall carpark.

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The UX isn’t quite the baby in the Lexus range, the long-lived CT hatch still holds that title. The range consists of seven different models, including F-Sport and Limited variants, five of which are hybrids. Prices start at $59,900 for the entry level UX 200 FWD (126kW/205Nm) with a 2.0-litre petrol engine with CVT box, and finish at the range topping UX 250h Limited Hybrid (135kW/188Nm) with AWD at $75,900. According to Ian Gillespie, Manager of Lexus of Christchurch, the most popular of the models in Canterbury, are the Hybrids.

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Inside, the same level of quality Lexus are renowned for continues in earnest. Every button you push feels so much better defined than some rivals and its nice to see, while there is still an abundance of buttons, there is considerably less than usual, which is a nice change. You still operate all the in-car infotainment system via the touchpad on the centre console. This can be a tad counter-intuitive at times but that’s not really hardship.

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The screen itself is 10.8inches in size and offers a clear and concise view, with all features like the Sat Nav, Media Interface etc, coming through a treat. Despite the lack of Apple Car Play and Android Auto connectivity, there is still a good chunk of kit including multiple drive modes; 18-inch alloy wheels; front and rear parking sensors; smart key entry and push button start; eight speaker sound system; 10.3 inch EMV display; front seat heaters; ten-way driver and eight-way front passenger seat electric adjustment; dual zone climate air conditioning; and rain sensing wipers.

Lexus have also splashed out on your safety with their Lexus Safety System+ coming as standard. This means UX buyers will benefit from adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert. Flicking through multiple drive modes via the toggle switch mounted above the speedometer pod changes not only the engine settings but also the dials, pop it in Sport Plus and you would be fooled into the thinking you were in the ballistic LFA hypercar.

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Rear passenger entry and exit can restrictive for lankier folk, I am of average height so it didn’t really bother me. Boot space is not a UX stronghold, however this is no weekend away family wagon so for the weekly shop and then some, its decent enough.

Starting off with the petrol UX200 F-Sport on the road, and lo and behold, it performs really well. Before you ask, yes, the petrol engine and CVT gearbox is the spitting image to what you get in the new Toyota Corolla. This is not a bad thing however, because the engine and gearbox setup gives you a smooth a linear power delivery, while still able to provide you with brisk progress, and its business as usual in the UX.

While you can thunder along at a considerable rate, the UX200 is happiest when cruising with subtle movements on the wheel. Ride quality is excellent and even the most finicky of drivers will find a driving position to their liking. Rear visibility is so-so though.

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Over to the UX250 F-Sport Hybrid at $62,990 and the first thing you notice when moving off is the length of time the UX stays in full EV mode. Once you hit 50km/h, or give it a boot full, the petrol engine wakes up they both waft you along with ease while returning 4.5L/100km respectively.

Steering is nicely weighted and despite the extra weight of the batteries, having them within the wheelbase makes for a well-balanced car in the bends. Then again, it feels a tad wrong to be driving the UX with youthful exuberance. What one should do is keep it in Eco or Comfort mode and waft along as per the petrol.

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In summary, petrol or hybrid? Well, while the petrol is still good, the hybrid will definitely be my pick, you get stellar fuel economy and if you opt for the 2WD over the AWD, you get decent value. Regardless of your choice, you will still be going home with a well-rounded luxury crossover that a few rivals will have to play catch up to.

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