At $79,990 plus on-roads, the front-wheel drive 150kW/300Nm Lexus UX 300e is quiet, easy and simple to drive. Whereas it might do with some minor enhancements, it’s an important entry stage electrical car.
Up to date for 2024, this base variant comes with 17-inch alloys, LED lighting, leather-based look inside trim, wi-fi Apple CarPlay (wired Android Auto) and a big 12.3-inch infotainment display (extra on that in a second).
There are some neat touches like heated and cooled entrance seats, heated rear seats and a warmed steering wheel. You’ll additionally discover a number of USB cost ports, contemporary suspension, and brakes and steering tweaks.
Should you purchase one, you’ll even get a complementary dwelling charger set up, two cost cables and 3-years free entry to quick and ultra-rapid charging at chosen Chargefox stations. If that’s not sufficient, Lexus are throwing in Encore Platinum Electrified membership.
Lexus claims a spread of 440km (WLTP), and a Type2 cost time of 6.5 hours. On a DC quick charger, you may anticipate to attend round for about 80 minutes to get from 10 to 80 %. It’ll dash to 100km/h in 7.5 seconds.
Leaping inside, the UX 300e is spectacular, and every part makes a variety of sense, falls at hand naturally and in contrast to some trendy vehicles, all of it feels very acquainted. The infotainment setup is responsive and nicely positioned, though it may very well be a bit of extra intuitive.
A Mark Levinson 13-speaker sound system offers an honest aural expertise. Precise buttons function for air-conditioning and quantity. The small analogue-inspired digital sprint is equally as welcome, and tremendous straightforward to learn at a look.
The remainder of the switchgear is commonplace stuff, and whereas the radar cruise management is a bit fiddly to activate at first, it really works nicely. There are paddles behind the wheel to regulate regenerative braking settings, whereas the drive selector requires a flick to the precise to shift.
There are two cup holders, two USB ports and a wi-fi cost shelf, a big padded centre armrest and respectable storage bin that opens two-ways. The entrance seats are supportive and stay comfy, even on lengthy journeys.
The cabin is small although, and its small home windows, chunky pillars and low roof line make the UX really feel squishy. Likewise, they create loads of blind spots, significantly when in buying centre and college carparks, the place there are little ones operating round.
In saying that, there’s a reverse digicam, and a park assist brake which detects objects across the automotive and stops the car if wanted. There’s additionally blind spot monitoring and rear cross site visitors alert.
Leaping into the again row, the small bench seat is comfy and there may be room for 3 younger children. It’s a bit of tight again there for full-sized adults, by way of leg room, which is perplexing as a result of the UX 300e is just not an excellent small car.
A slight sacrifice in boot area might have made an infinite completely different to the practicality of the Lexus. The roofline can be low. Should you do have very younger youngsters, there are three prime tether and two ISOFIX factors.
Rear passengers will get pleasure from two vents, cost factors and audio system, one seat pocket, and a centre armrest that folds down, revealing cup holders. The doorways don’t have any bottle holders. The boot is hidden behind an electrical tailgate.
There’s loads of room for buying, faculty baggage or baggage, and the rear seats break up fold to actually open up the area, must you want it. You’ll additionally discover courtesy lighting. The rear window although, is kind of oddly positioned, hampering imaginative and prescient.
The driving expertise is as you’d anticipate from Lexus; refined, with the UX 300e sharing its platform with inside combustion-based hybrid variants. The electrical motor is situated on the entrance of the car.
There are three drive modes, together with Eco, Regular and Sport, with the primary two of those delivering a easy accelerator pedal, with ample torque and drive. Flick to the latter and energetic sound management kicks in, simulating an EV whine for the (R)EV heads.
We spent most of our time testing the Lexus in Eco and Regular and returned a mean of 19.6kW/100km over the week. Lexus declare 16.9kW. It’s thirsty, or ought to that be draining, for an EV. Primarily based on our maths, which means you must anticipate a spread of 400km.
Regenerative braking is just not tremendous sturdy, and there’s no one-pedal driving choice. The revised electrical steering is gentle, but provides respectable really feel for an SUV, and the brakes are highly effective, with good preliminary chew on the pedal.
We carried out a number of emergency cease exams with out brake fade, and whereas the brand new suspension setup is on the primary aspect of plush, it is vitally comfy. General, the Lexus UX 300e is a simple going EV that might do with some enhancements in effectivity and charging.
It could swimsuit a single individual or couple, maybe with small children or pets, greater than a giant household. Lexus backs its smallest EV with a 5-year limitless kilometre guarantee, 10-years battery backing, and roadside help.
You additionally rating the spectacular after gross sales care bundle that’s the Lexus Encore Program. Yow will discover out extra from the Lexus Australia web site, or by speaking to your native dealership.
Our take a look at car was supplied by Lexus Australia for evaluate functions.
