The UX compact luxury urban crossover, one of Lexus’s best-selling models in Europe, receives a substantial powertrain upgrade and other refinements for 2024 with the introduction of the new UX 300h hybrid, replacing the UX 250h, which will sit alongside the UX 300e battery electric model.
While retaining the established 2.0-litre petrol engine, the new UX 300h adopts fifth generation Lexus hybrid technology features to increase power and enhance performance. The changes include the introduction of a new, more efficient 60-cell 222V lithium-ion battery in place of the previous 180-cell 216V nickel-metal hydride unit.
In models equipped with the E-Four all-wheel drive system, there is a new permanent magnet high-torque motor-generator that is 5.6 times more powerful than the previous induction-type unit, producing 30kW (vs 5.3kW) and 84Nm of torque (vs 55Nm). The 0-62mph time for the front-wheel drive model has been reduced from 8.5 to 8.1 seconds, while with E-Four all-wheel drive the benchmark time has been cut from 8.7 to 7.9 seconds.
Thanks to increased powertrain efficiency and measures to reduce the car’s weight, fuel efficiency has been improved. With front-wheel drive the WLTP combined cycle rating is 54.3 – 56.4 mpg; with E-Four all-wheel drive it is 49.5 – 50.4 mpg. Using the same WLTP metric, the respective CO2 emissions are 113– 119g/km and 126 –129 /km.
The car underwent rigorous testing at Lexus’ new Shimoyama development centre, to ensure drivers on all kinds of roads will appreciate the same enhanced manoeuvring stability, ride comfort and cabin quietness.
Body roll is better damped during hard cornering and the car’s posture is even more stable under braking, while body rigidity has been increased.
On all UX models, the driver can use the Lexus Drive Mode Select to tailor the driving experience to suit the journey, choosing Normal, Eco or Sport mode.
The UX 300h F Sport is equipped as standard with adaptive variable suspension (AVS), which allows for additional Sport S, Sport S+ and Custom drive modes. With the chassis setting in Sport, selecting Sport S+ or Custom modes engages firmer damper settings for a more dynamic driving feel. Custom mode also allows the driver to combine their preferred settings for the powertrain, chassis and air conditioning functions.
Measures have been taken throughout the car to avoid or mitigate noise and vibration, from the inherent strength of the vehicle’s structure to the strategic placement of sound insulating and absorbing materials and the use of acoustic window glass, reducing noise inside the car by 1.7dB.
The 12.3-inch digital driver’s instrument combimeter (Premium Plus/F Sport Design Tech grades and above) can be customised for appearance, style. The voice recognition system includes the option of using the “Hey Lexus” on-board assistant to make it easier to connect to phone calls, operate audio and climate controls and search the internet.
To make journey planning easier and help avoid traffic delays, cloud-based navigation is provided as standard, giving access to real-time road and traffic information.
The convenience of the multimedia system includes smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay (wireless) or Android Auto (wired). Connectivity also extends to the Lexus Link smartphone app, which allows the driver to remotely lock or unlock the doors, trigger the hazard lights and set the air conditioning to cool or warm the cabin before getting into the car. The app can also check the battery’s charge level, available range with the air-conditioning on or off and time remaining until charging is complete.
A digital key will be available for the new UX (Premium Plus/F Sport grades and above), allowing the car to be unlocked and started by using a smartphone app, thus removing the need for a key fob. The app can be authorised for up to five people at one time; just having your smartphone on your person is all that’s required to access and drive the car.
Interior finishes: high quality and craftsmanship
Three upholstery options are offered: fabric, Tahara synthetic leather, and genuine smooth leather. The leather and synthetic leather feature a stitchwork pattern inspired by the Japanese sashiko (little stabs) quilting technique; the perforated leather displays a hexagonal kagome pattern taken from traditional basket-weaving. The dashboard trim (excluding F Sport models) replicates the look of the textured washi grained paper familiar from the sliding doors of traditional Japanese houses.
Ammonite Sand has been added to the interior colour-ways, joining Hazel, Black, White Ash and Cobalt. Options for the F Sport model are Flare Red, White and Black with contrast red or white stitching.
Exterior colours and finishes
Lexus introduces the new UX with a bold new exterior colour option, Sonic Copper, available on all model grades. There are 12 colour choices in all, with F Sport White and Azure Blue exclusive to the F Sport and F Sport Design models. These versions also offer a new-look bi-tone execution. At launch, this is available with the Sonic Titanium, Sonic Copper and Azure Blue paint colour options.
Lexus Safety System+ with extended capabilities
Lexus continues to expand the capabilities of the active safety and driver assistance features with the latest evolution of Lexus Safety System +.
For the new UX, there are significant additions to help safeguard against common accident risks. Proactive Driving Assist uses the car’s front camera to detect hazards when driving at lower speeds around town, such as parked cars, cyclists and pedestrians walking along the margin of the road or preparing to cross.
The UX is also newly equipped (according to model grade) with rear hazard lights that automatically illuminate at high speed if there is a collision risk with a vehicle approaching from the rear. Also looking to the rear, the Safe Exit Assist gives a visual warning if there is a risk of opening a door into the path of traffic or cyclists coming from behind, sounding an alert if a door is released. These additions complement the established features of Lexus Safety System+.
UK model range and pricing
The new UX 300h debuts a new grade line-up for the model with a wide choice of specifications. Entry point is the new Urban grade, followed by Premium, Premium Plus, and a top-of-the range Takumi model. There are also four F Sport grade options.
On-the-road prices for the new Lexus UX 300h: –
| MODEL | OTR PRICE |
| Urban | £34,895.00 |
| Premium | £36,895.00 |
| Premium Plus | £42,595.00 |
| Takumi | £48,495.00 |
| F Sport Design | £37,495.00 |
| F Sport Design Tech | £39,395.00 |
| F Sport | £44,395.00 |
| F Sport Takumi | £49,695.00 |
| Premium Plus AWD | £43,895.00 |
| F Sport AWD | £45,695.00 |
| Takumi AWD | £49,795.00 |
| F Sport Takumi AWD | £50,995.00 |
Up to 10 years/100,000 miles Lexus warranty
In common with every new Lexus, the new UX 300h and the UX 300e are eligible for Lexus warranty protection for up to 10 years or 100,000 miles (whichever comes first). This comprises an initial three-year manufacturer warranty, followed by up to a further seven years of service-activated warranty.
For the first three years of the car’s life, owners can have it serviced at a place of their choice. When the new car warranty period expires, they can then benefit from an additional 12 months (or 10,000 miles) warranty when they have their vehicle serviced at a qualifying Lexus workshop, in line with its service schedule. The warranty is provided at no extra cost, up to a limit of 10 years/100,000 miles. Terms and conditions apply; full details are available at www.lexus.co.uk.