As Toyota Australia moves key models to hybrid-only line-ups – the latest including the Toyota Corolla and Yaris hatchbacks – the company is also moving away from regular petrol engines with its premium Lexus brand, as shown by the upgraded 2024 Lexus UX.
The 2.0-litre four-cylinder Lexus UX 200 has been axed from the premium small SUV range, which with the latest overhaul also drops the UX 250h hybrid for a new UX 300h model featuring an upgraded 2.0-litre petrol-electric hybrid system.
The UX 300h produces 146kW – up 11kW compared to the 250h – thanks to a variety of mechanical revisions, including more powerful electric motor and a new intake and exhaust.
It also has a new lithium-ion battery – replacing the previous nickel-metal hydride pack – which contributes to a fuel consumption improvement of up to 0.2L/100km – 4.2L/100km for the front-drive version and 4.4L/100km for the all-wheel drive.
The UX range overhaul has pushed the entry price up by $9200, now starting from $55,370 plus on-road costs for the 300h 2WD Luxury. See our full price list below.
Higher prices across the range also reflect an increased level of standard equipment, with Luxury variants scoring a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster (up from 7.0-inch) and wireless smartphone mirroring, while the 300h AWD Sports Luxury adds a moonroof and Smart key card.
The 300h AWD F Sport also picks up a heated steering wheel, panoramic view monitor and 13-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system.
All models gain a new shift-by-wire gear selector, electrically controlled braking and an expansion of the Lexus Safety System+ suite, which now includes motorcycle detection and intersection assist for the autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system, safe exit assist and enhanced parking support brake functionality.
No major changes have been made to the battery-electric UX 300e following its upgrade late last year, although the Luxury version now features a colour head-up display.
Among the exterior paint colour choices, Blazing Carnelian has been replaced by Sonic Copper.