At a time when it celebrates 30 years of existence — it was founded in 1989 —, Lexus remains determined to intrude among what are the European premium brands par excellence. Not only looking to play on the same manufacturers' boards as Audi, BMW or Mercedes-Benz, but also doing it differently.
So, after assuming the almost exclusive option for hybrid engines, this at a time when rivals were still thinking about Diesel, the Toyota group's luxury brand now extends the challenge to what, nowadays, is one of the most important coutadas, within the competitive European car market: the C-SUV segment.
In what way? With the presentation, now also in Portugal, of the Lexus UX , the first compact crossover from this Japanese premium brand.
U… what?
U… X. Synonym for Urban Crossover (X-Over in abbreviated version). Basically, a crossover for the city, created thinking about what the brand describes as “urban explorers”, looking for “a new, contemporary and dynamic vision of driving a luxury vehicle” — do you see this description?
Built on Toyota's new Compact Global Architecture (GA-C), a platform that not only allowed greater design freedom, but also increased driving safety and involvement, the Lexus UX doesn't just display an exterior look. differentiator.
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On the contrary, the model introduces several new solutions, such as the aluminum doors and the trunk lid in polymeric material, as a way to reduce weight, or the application of high elastic limit steels, for greater rigidity and integrity .
Not to mention technologies such as the Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) that allows up to 650 adjustments, the E-Four four-wheel drive system with the use of a rear electric motor and intelligent traction system "on demand", or even the new nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH) battery, more compact and lighter.
On the fourth generation of Lexus' hybrid propulsion system (Self Charging Hybrid), which arrives in Portugal in the UX with the commercial designation 250h — the only engine available —, it is based on a new 2.0 l gasoline with high compression ratio (14:1) , as it manages to be lighter (only 112 kg) and efficient — 4.5 l/100 km is the official figure for the front-wheel drive version (0.2 l/100 km less than the AWD), to which are added emissions of CO2 between 120 and 126 g/km (135 to 136 g/km for the AWD), this already according to the WLTP standard.
In combination with the 107 hp electric motor, the Lexus UX delivers a maximum power of 184 hp.
Inside? Typically Lexus
As for the interior of the cabin there is little to say… other than that it is a Lexus! Well built, with excellent coatings, although some plastics have a less positive note, and with one of the best driving positions we've ever had the opportunity to enjoy in the brand's proposals.
THE infotainment system is that it continues behind what exists in direct competition. Guilts? Not only the small and “insensitive” screen that stands out on top of the center console, but also and mainly, the impractical or precise touchpad, whose mission is to make us “navigate” inside the system. The new complementary buttons, integrated in the armrest, are saved, an example of what correct ergonomics can be.
In the rear seats, the natural advantages of a model that, with 2.64 m of wheelbase, has more space than it seems at first glance, the same happening in the trunk. despite the meager 320 l advertised in the 4×2 variant (401 l up to the roof), they promise to arrive for the journeys of such “urban explorers”.
security a priority
Proposed in Portugal with a total of seven levels of equipment — Business, Executive, Executive+, Premium, F-Sport, F-Sport+ and Luxury —, of which only the last three will be available in the AWD variant, the Lexus UX also stands out for the priority given to safety. Accentuated with the inclusion, in the standard equipment of all versions, of the 2nd generation of the Lexus Safety System+ pack.The UX has Pre-Collision Alert with Night Pedestrian Recognition, Adaptive Cruise Control at any speed (DRCC), Lane Change Alert (LDA) and Lane Maintenance Assistance (LKA), Adaptive Lane System High beam (AHS), Parking Alert (PKSA), Parking Support Brake (PKSB) and Traffic Signal Recognition System (RSA).
There are several options, such as stylistic details such as the rear spoiler or the 17″ or 18″ alloy wheels; comfort solutions such as two-zone air conditioning with humidity sensor or electronic handbrake with “Hold” function;
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Curves... but not only
And here we are, back to the platform, with high structural rigidity, but mainly ensuring the lowest center of gravity among models in this segment, says Lexus. One of the reasons, along with the MacPherson suspension at the front and the multilink at the rear, for the stable and safe handling that the UX demonstrates.
For the rest, I really liked the driving position, as important as the competent steering, for the involvement that the Japanese compact SUV offers at the wheel — always with a reasonably velvety step and with a response from the engine part not so “stressed” or audible as in other models equipped with the same hybrid system. More efficient management of the E-CVT box? It might be…
Eco, Normal and Sport driving modes are available — the F Sport, F Sport+ and Luxury versions have yet another option, Sport Plus — allowing the possibility of setting off in search of the promised acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in no more than 8.5s, which seemed difficult to reach, or even the “modest” 177 km/h top speed…
How much does it cost
And so. Lexus Portugal has no plans for any launch campaign that could make the price of its first compact SUV more attractive or competitive, compared to what is practiced by the competition. Not even interested in, for example, entering the “war” of business customers, with UX.
The Lexus UX 250h is already available at dealerships, but the AWD versions, despite being able to be ordered, are still in the approval process. The front-wheel drive Lexus UX is class 1 at toll booths.
| Version | Price |
|---|---|
| UX 250h FWD Business | 42 500€ |
| UX 250h FWD Executive | 45 500€ |
| UX 250h FWD Executive+ | 46 900€ |
| UX 250h FWD Premium | €50 300 |
| UX 250h FWD F Sport | €50 600 |
| UX 250h FWD F Sport+ | €59 700 |
| UX 250h FWD Luxury | €60 200 |
| UX 250h AWD F Sport | €52 400 |
| UX 250h AWD F Sport+ | 61 500€ |
| UX 250h AWD F Luxury | €62,000 |