A Week With: 2023 Lexus UX 250h F Sport

UX is the abbreviation for person expertise. It’s additionally the smallest of Lexus’ U.S.-market crossovers, one which’s extra an outsized hatchback than a real SUV. In that sense, it’s no totally different than its many opponents, together with the BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLB, Audi Q3 and Volvo XC40.

Nevertheless it’s amongst Lexus’s least fashionable sport-utility automobiles, which begs the query of does the UX dwell as much as a possible purchaser’s expectations?

Effectively, it relies upon what they’re. We examined a 250h F Sport Dealing with — a brand new trim for 2023 — for every week. Right here’s what we discovered. 

Overview

The Lexus UX will get a makeover for 2023 and is obtainable solely as a hybrid. As earlier than, it nonetheless rides atop Toyota’s International Structure Compact (GA-C) platform that additionally underpins the Toyota Corolla Hatchback and the late, unlamented Toyota C-HR. It’s provided in ascending Base, Premium, F Sport Design and F Sport Dealing with trim ranges, with costs beginning at $35,925, plus vacation spot, taxes and choices. Of the 2 F Sport trims, Design provides the outside look of an F Sport, however with out the specifically tuned F Sport suspension. As you may think, the Dealing with trim does and contains an adaptive variable suspension. 

Exterior

Fortunately, Lexus has toned down the UX’s design for 2023, with physique coloured fender trim slightly than the black plastic beforehand used. It seems to be way more refined and extra consistent with what’s anticipated of a Lexus.

The remainder of the styling resembles that of the model’s different SUV designs, with a big spindle grille up entrance and greater than a bit of facet sculpting to visually lengthen the automobile. Its dimension appears excellent for city environs, however there’s no hiding its compact size, one thing that’s significantly true as soon as inside. 

Inside

Whereas the Lexus UX’s revised inside locations the multimedia touchscreen excessive on the instrument panel, the place it’s simple to achieve, the IP feels as if it’s positioned excessive within the automobile. Head and leg room are beneficiant up entrance, however legroom specifically is sort of non-existent within the second row. And the 17.1-cubic-foot cargo maintain is sufficient, however not overly spacious, one thing than could be mentioned of the entire automobile. However should you don’t use a rear seat typically, the dearth of house shouldn’t be a problem.

That mentioned, among the supplies felt extra Toyota than Lexus, significantly the arduous sides of the middle console. This car doesn’t appear to have the identical stage of poshness as its bigger siblings. However it’s as quiet and driver’s seating place is sweet. F-Sport Dealing with fashions include extra supportive entrance seats.

Powertrain

For the primary time, patrons can get their UX with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. However there’s just one powertrain: a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with three electrical motors and a repeatedly variable transmission. It generates 181 horsepower and 0-60 mph occasions of 8.4 seconds with front-wheel drive, whereas returning an EPA-rated 41 mpg, dropping to 39 mpg with all-wheel drive.

Choosing the F Sport Dealing with nets an F Sport tuned suspension with adaptive dampers. 

Security and Know-how

Neither the Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration nor the Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security has crash examined the 2023 Lexus UX. 

The 2023 Lexus UX comes with Lexus Security System+ 2.5 contains blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning with computerized braking, pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, dynamic radar cruise management, lane-tracing help, lane-departure alert with steering help, highway signal help and computerized excessive beams.

An 8-inch show is normal, a 12.3-inch display screen is elective. Each use the brand new model of name’s’ Interface touchscreen infotainment system that includes an built-in voice assistant and wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The brand new system is much extra intuitive to make use of than the excessively cumbersome earlier system, which lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Driving Impressions

With 181 hp shifting round 3,600+ kilos, you wouldn’t count on the 2023 Lexus UX 250h F Sport to be quick — and it isn’t. It’s fast off-the-line, however its lack of energy quickly makes itself evident.

Whereas the repeatedly variable transmission doesn’t assist, it’s well-mannered for such a unit. Nevertheless it does return stellar gasoline financial system in alternate for its lack of pace. And its powertrain is pretty refined, with an inherent smoothness sometimes interrupted by the moaning 4-cylinder engine. 

Steering really feel is sweet and pretty fast, whereas the F Sport’s adaptive suspension delivers a premium trip, providing safe dealing with. Its total demeanor is extra of a big hatchback than a real SUV, because it delivers a quiet, comfy driving expertise. However don’t search for any pleasure; the person expertise within the UX delivers good gasoline financial system, not driving thrills, even in F Sport trim.

2023 Lexus UX 250h F Sport Specs

Wrap Up

Small in stature and horsepower, the diminutive UX delivers stellar gasoline financial system and stately efficiency. The revised infotainment system and styling updates make it a extra interesting proposition. However its pricetag appears dear for what you get, and different compact luxurious SUVs appear to be a much better worth. That mentioned, the UX does ship some Lexus goodness in a small package deal, which is good for individuals who don’t use a again seat or require a small, urban-friendly car.

2023 Lexus UX 250h ­— Ceaselessly Requested Questions

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