Lexus UX 200 Luxury 2022 Review

In 2021, Lexus Australia overhauled its small SUV line-up, cutting entry to the range by around $2000 to $44,445 plus on-road costs for the Lexus UX 200 Luxury on test here.

In reducing prices, it also cut standard equipment levels, meaning in some cases you now pay more for features that were previously standard.

These include blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, smart entry and roof rails, among other items, which remain available in various Enhancement Pack options.

At the same time, the premium crossover also received a number of upgrades, including more responsive acceleration, smoother gear shifts and reduced cabin noise, along with extra boot space.

With the Lexus UX 300e arriving late last year – the brand’s first battery-electric vehicle – the UX range broadened beyond the regular combustion-engined (UX 200) and petrol-electric hybrid (UX 250h) models, the latter with the option of front- or all-wheel drive.

The three powertrains are all offered in entry Luxury and higher-spec Sports Luxury trim levels, with the sportier F Sport also available on non-EV models.

Standard features on the entry-grade UX 200 Luxury include 17-inch alloy wheels, heated seats, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, a 10.3-inch infotainment unit with navigation, LED headlights and more.

It mightn’t be a big deal for some, but those who value the practicality of roof rails, the convenience of digital radio and one-touch entry (smart entry in Lexus-speak), and the reassurance of blind spot monitoring and advanced semi-autonomous parking support including rear cross traffic alert, are required to pay a further $1980 for Enhancement Pack 1.

Handing over an extra $3730 instead for Enhancement Pack 2 brings all the EP1 gear plus items such as wireless phone charging, a power tailgate and privacy glass.

There’s an EP3, too, which places a different spin on the mix of now optional equipment.

The bottom line is to consider your needs and do your sums carefully to come up with the price you’ll pay beyond the headline figure of $44,445, once the on-road costs and any optional extras are added.

Happily, from January 1, 2022, Lexus Australia also now covers its entire range with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, moving from the previous four-year/100,000km term.

Visits to the workshop with the 2022 Lexus UX 200 are due every 12 months or 15,000km, and cost $495 for the first three services.

We’ve already mentioned some of the safety features for which Aussie buyers are now required to pay extra with the 2022 Lexus UX 200 Luxury.

The changes have not altered the SUV’s maximum five-star safety rating from ANCAP, which applies to cars built from November 2018 onwards and is based on less-stringent assessment criteria than what’s in place today.

There’s also still quite a broad spread of driver assist safety systems (and other tech) fitted standard to the UX.

These include the Lexus Safety System pack, which brings autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and daytime cyclist detection, lane tracing assist, traffic sign assist (which can now recognise school zone speed signs), adaptive cruise control, auto high beam and tyre pressure monitoring.

LED daytime running lights (DRLs), brake assist, hill start assist control and eight airbags also come standard across the 2022 Lexus UX range.

Our tester was fairly fresh with low kays, which is likely why the infotainment unit’s touchpad control system was easy to use.

In the case of some other Lexus models we’ve tested previously, the mousepad set-up seems to become fiddly to use after some wear.

Arguably one of the more meaningful updates brought with the most recent overhaul to the 2022 Lexus UX is the Japanese car-maker’s promise of “more responsive acceleration and smoother gear shifts”.

Thanks to refinements made to the standard continuously variable transmission (CVT), which Lexus says comes with revised control of clutch oil pressure, the UX is said to be smoother upon take-off and when coming to a halt.

Engineers have also aimed to deliver a more seamless shift between the mechanical first gear and belt transfer mechanisms, while acceleration is also claimed to be “more refined and responsive” due to recalibration of the integrated powertrain control electronics.

How that translates in real life isn’t obvious at first. The updated CVT doesn’t feel much smoother than before, and we noticed an even more pronounced shift between the mechanical gear and belt transfer at low speeds, resulting in a slight shove on one occasion.

Meanwhile, claims of more responsive acceleration don’t feel well-executed, with power delivery from the naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine just as laggard as before.

With 126kW of power and 205Nm of torque on tap, the UX 200’s powertrain is loud under load but gets the job of everyday driving done with relative ease.

Many turbocharged rivals are quicker and more engaging, but those less concerned with speed should be satisfied with the petrol UX’s performance.

Fuel consumption proved similar to the UX 200 model we tested about a year ago, which used 7.1L/100km. This time around, our Khaki tester consumed 7.0L/100km on average after a mix of highway and suburban driving.

For reference, Lexus claims a combined-cycle figure of 5.8L/100km.

The 2022 Lexus UX 200 Luxury offers a supremely comfortable cabin with quality interior materials and the same composed ride quality we’ve experienced before.

The NuLuxe-trimmed seats are terrific, offering great comfort, heating and plenty of adjustment (eight-way, plus two-way power lumbar support for the driver), while the steering wheel continues with powered tilt and telescopic reach adjustment.

There are also the same incidental storage pockets up front, including medium-sized door bins, two cup holders and a handy glove box.

A useful dual-opening centre console is home to one auxiliary and two USB ports, while a 12-volt socket is found ahead of the gear shifter, next to a small shelf where wireless phone charging is found if the Enhancement Pack 2 is optioned.

As part of the latest update, boot space has increased to 419 litres (previously 327L) in UX 200 models fitted with 17-inch wheels, but cabin space for rear seat occupants remains unchanged.

That means legroom remains tight for average-sized adults in the rear and headroom isn’t a great deal better, even with the omission of a moonroof.

Carryover rear seat amenities include a centre arm rest with cup holders, ISOFIX child seat fixtures on the outboard seats, two USB ports and map pockets (which are the only storage areas for the rear).

Lexus says it’s added more sound-deadening materials and thicker insulation around “key areas of the boot floor” to help suppress road noise.

It’s difficult to notice much difference though, given the UX already had a relatively quiet cabin.

The 2022 Lexus UX 200 Luxury is now the most affordable car across the Japanese brand’s line-up with the removal of the Lexus CT hatch late last year due to its noncompliance with new side-impact safety regulations.

The update to the UX range ushered in last year brought a welcome reduction in the price, but we can’t help but feel short-changed with the corresponding reduction in standard equipment that in some cases means you now have to pay more for features that previously came standard.

If you can happily go without creature comforts like smart entry or an electric tailgate, the entry-grade UX 200 still comes with the same luxurious interior, comfortable cabin and quirky exterior.

But the safety omissions are disappointing, and the powertrain revisions fail to hit the mark when compared against its major competitors.

The natural-breathing 2.0-litre engine feels a step behind rivals such as the BMW X1 and Audi Q3, each with more engaging turbocharged powerplants.

It still does plenty right, but we’re not so sure the 2022 Lexus UX 200 Luxury is better value for money.

How much does the 2022 Lexus UX 200 Luxury cost?
Price: $44,445 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 126kW/205Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable automatic
Fuel: 5.8L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 132g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2019)