Lexus UX 250h 2020 Review

There are more than 20 combinations of Lexus UX to choose from, courtesy of three trim grades, two engine options (petrol UX 200 or hybrid UX 250h) and front- or all-wheel drive layouts, as well as several optional Enhancement Packs.

The MY20 Lexus UX model range opens at $46,500 plus on-road costs for the UX 200 Luxury and extends to $64,000 plus ORCs for the top-shelf all-wheel drive UX 250h F Sport.

It’s worth noting that an updated MY21 Lexus UX was recently announced and is now available in showrooms, bringing a range of running changes and price reductions of up to $2000 or so.

We spent a couple of months in the UX 200 recently, so we’re testing the petrol-electric MY20 UX 250h Sports Luxury grade, also in front-drive form. It’s priced at $59,000 plus ORCs, and the same spec can be had with all-wheel drive for another $4500.

Our tester is fitted with the optional Enhancement Pack ($3500) that adds a sunroof, head-up display and smart key card, bringing its total price up to $62,500 (plus ORCs).

Equipped with a four-year/100,000km warranty, the Lexus UX 250h sits at the pointy end of the small hybrid SUV segment where rivals are few and far between.

Two noteworthy contenders, however, include the larger Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (from $40,070) and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (from $47,990). Unlike the Lexus and Toyota, the latter is not exclusively self-charging and its bigger battery delivers a decent electric-only range and can be replenished via a household power point or charging station.

Standard UX 250h equipment includes 18-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, rear tinted windows, a 7.0-inch instrument cluster, wireless phone charging and heated and ventilated front seats with 10-way electric adjustment for driver (eight-way for passenger).

Adding to the generous standard equipment level for Sports Luxury grades is a cracking 13-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, complemented by a 10.3-inch infotainment unit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, plus digital radio, Bluetooth, navigation and an in-dash DVD player.

There’s no shortage of safety and technology on board the 2020 Lexus UX 250h, which comes with the brand’s comprehensive driver assistance safety suite and a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating.

Standard features include eight airbags, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, brake assist, blind spot monitoring, lane trace assist, adaptive cruise control, tyre pressure warning and hill start assist.

Other big-SUV features include an electric tailgate, heated door mirrors and powered steering column adjustment (tilt and telescopic) with auto-away and auto-return function.

There’s also voice recognition, although it’s limited to vehicle functions and won’t work with Siri when using Apple CarPlay, for example.

The centre console can be opened from either the driver or passenger side and offers two USB and one auxiliary port, while rear seat passengers get another two USB ports and air-conditioning vents.

Sports Luxury grades also get funky illuminated adjustment knobs on the air-conditioning vents, which come on with the interior lighting.

Hybrid models can run solely on battery power, so you can creep in and out of the driveway without disturbing the neighbours – or waking up mum and dad (or your partner) when you’re sneaking out late. Activated by an ‘EV mode’ button on the centre console, it only works for short distances and at low speeds (up to 45km/h).

Overall, the Lexus UX’s cabin is modern and practical, and packed high-quality materials that help justify its $60K-plus price tag. That said, our tester did have some minor (but noticeable) squeaks and rattles from the centre console at times.

The Lexus UX 250h gets its power from the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine as its UX 200 sibling, but the addition of an electric motor adds more punch and helps lower fuel consumption.

That hybrid tech boosts the UX 250h’s total outputs to 131kW of power and, because it’s a self-charging hybrid that regenerates power as you drive, you won’t have to plug it into an external power source.

Our test car sends its power directly to the front wheels, via an electronic continuously variable transmission (CVT), which is standard in all UX models. As mentioned earlier, however, the same hybrid drivetrain is available in all-wheel drive guise (priced from$63,500 plus ORCs).

On the road, the hybrid does a good job of moving you along, with a noticeable boost from the electric motor when you put your foot down and ask it to really get going. It’s quiet and peppy (except when you’re revving it out) and really quite enjoyable to drive – probably not what most would expect from a fuel-savvy ‘green car’.

Coasting to a stop at traffic lights, you can hear the UX switching between electric and petrol power with audible clicking noises in the background; admittedly it’s a little eerie until you get used to it, but you don’t feel the shift, which is the main thing.

It’s also good on fuel – as it should be – with Lexus claiming front-drive models sip just 4.5L/100km (4.7L for AWD versions). On test we covered mostly suburban and highway roads and averaged 5.8L/100km, which is still a commendable effort.

Altogether, the powertrain is more than adequate, with a transmission that’s just as smooth and convincing. With plenty of torque on offer from low speeds, dare we say, the hybrid UX is actually… fun to drive!

The front-drive UX is also the quickest of the small SUV family to cover the 0-100km/h sprint, doing so in a claimed 8.5 seconds. Compared to its siblings (8.7sec for the UX 250h AWD and 9.2sec for petrol UX 200s) it’s a decent effort considering its 1.6-tonne mass.

Although it’s focussed on fuel consumption, the 2020 Lexus UX 250h doesn’t miss out on any creature comforts inside its inviting cabin. And, there are no shortcuts taken in the pursuit of luxury.

The leather-trimmed seats – albeit boring in black – are comfortable and come with plenty of adjustment options (as does the electrically adjustable steering wheel). The carpet is also softer than perhaps it needs to be, but we’re not complaining – and neither are our heels.

Three driving modes are available (Eco/Normal/Sport), but no adaptive dampers means they only adjust throttle and steering inputs. You can also manually flick through ‘gears’ if you so wish, via the gear shifter’s manual mode.

While the UX 250h is comfortable to drive under normal conditions, it’s fitted with what feels like rather stiff rear suspension – perhaps a move to counteract the heavy hybrid running gear that’s planted in the crossover’s rear-end.

That translates to a harsh, rigid feel at the rear, which is noticeable when tackling speedhumps or entering and exiting car parks or driveways. The front-end is more forgiving and better able to soak up bumps with more cushioning.

Otherwise, the driving experience is seamless. It’s easy to get around in with its hatch-like proportions and parking is made even easier with its 360-degree camera and multiple view settings.

Meanwhile, those tired of climbing down into small cars or heaving themselves up into large SUVs will be pleased at the UX’s universally appealing ride height.

Where storage is concerned, the UX 250h is better suited to those with a minimalist lifestyle. The centre console is shallow and the glovebox isn’t much bigger, but it wins points back for decent-sized storage pockets in the front doors.

Not so at the rear, where the only storage available for passengers is their laps. Not only do they miss out on storage solutions, but there’s not a lot of toe, leg or head room for taller passengers out back either.

Sports Luxury grades don’t come with an actual spare tyre (not even a space-saver); that job is left to the tyre inflator kit in the boot, which can hold a lacklustre 364 litres of cargo space.

It’s a small SUV, sure, but let’s be real: nobody buys a $60K crossover for its cargo-carrying ability.

Whether you’re after a more fuel-efficient small SUV or something more stylish that doesn’t skimp on luxury, the 2020 Lexus UX 250h ticks a lot of boxes.

It’s comfortable, safe, fun and tech-savvy. Even better, the Lexus UX 250h Sports Luxury makes you feel a little more special than other SUVs when you’re behind the wheel – but it’ll cost you.

How much does the 2020 Lexus UX 250h Sports Luxury cost?
Price: $62,500 (as-tested, plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol-electric
Output: 107kW/188Nm
Motor: Permanent magnet
Output: 80kW/202Nm
Transmission: Electronic Continuously Variable Automatic
Fuel: 4.5L/100km (ADR Combined); 5.8L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 103g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2019)

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