Lexus Australia has announced pricing for its first small SUV, confirming the all-new Lexus UX will be priced from under $45,000.
The entry-level Lexus UX 200 Luxury will cost $44,450 plus on-road costs, making it cheaper than any other Lexus except the entry-level CT 200h Luxury.
Three four-cylinder powertrains will be available, with the 126kW 2.0-litre UX 200 arriving first in late November, followed by the 131kW UX 250h hybrid (available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive form) in mid-January.
Both the UX 200 and UX 250h 2WD are available in Luxury, Sports Luxury (for an extra $8550) and F Sport form – the latter commanding only a $450 price premium. The hybrid UX 250h costs $3500 more than the equivalent conventional UX 200.
Hybrid models are not only slightly more powerful and quicker, but more efficient at 4.5L/100km.
The UX 250h AWD, equipped with a small electric motor to power the rear axle in what Lexus calls the E-Four system, costs a further $4500 but is not available in base Luxury trim.
That means the 2019 Lexus UX line-up ranges from $44,450 to $61,450 for the top-shelf UX 250h Sports Luxury AWD, overlapping the larger Lexus NX 300 range (from $54,800).
Apart from the entry-level UX 200 Luxury, which remains $2650 pricier than the base Audi Q2 (from $41,800), the only other sub-$50,000 model is the UX 250h Luxury 2WD ($47,950 plus ORCs).
A number of options are available, including range-wide premium paint ($1500) and a $1550 enhancement pack for Luxury variants comprising hands-free power tailgate, wireless charger, alloy scuff plates, headlight washer, rear privacy glass and cornering lamps.
Luxury models can only be equipped with a sunroof, which costs $2500 in F Sport models, in conjunction with these features for $4050.
A $5600 F Sport Enhancement Pack includes the moonroof, 13-speaker Mark Levinson audio, head-up display, panoramic view monitor and smart key card, while the $3500 Sports Luxury enhancement pack adds moonroof, head-up display and smart key card.
"The UX delivers a fresh and contemporary appeal to young buyers seeking new and exciting experiences relevant to their lifestyles," said Lexus Australia chief executive Scott Thompson.
"For many of them, this will not only be their first Lexus vehicle, but also their first entry into the luxury segment.”
The UX is the first model to be built on the Lexus Global Architecture -- C platform, which is shared with the Toyota C-HR.
Standard features include Lexus Safety Sense + including a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, all-speed active cruise control, lane trace assist, traffic sign recognition, auto high-beam, blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert.
Additional safety features include eight airbags, reversing camera, parking sensors, tyre inflation warning, vehicle speed-limit warning and an anti-theft system.
Entry-level Luxury models are equipped with a 10.3-inch display screen, satellite navigation, eight-speaker DAB audio, 7.0-inch thin-film transistor meter, GPS clock, illuminated entry, leather-accented steering wheel and shift lever, power-adjustable steering column, electro-chromatic rear-view mirror and eight-way power-adjustable, heated front seats.
Outside the base model, which can tow up to 750kg only in UX 200 form, there are 17-inch alloy wheels, acoustic windscreen glass, roof rails, LED headlights, fog lights and tail-lights, power-adjustable heated mirrors and three drive modes (normal, eco, sport).
Sports Luxury variants add 18-inch wheels with run-flat tyres, leather-accented seats, front seat ventilation, 13-speaker Mark Levinson audio, adaptive high-beam, panoramic view monitor and high-grade finishes.
Apart from being equipped with adaptive variable suspension, five drive modes, rear performance damper and active sound control, F Sport grades are distinguished by sportier bumpers, grille and special 18-inch wheels, plus sports seats, steering wheel, shift lever and pedals.
How much does the 2019 Lexus UX cost?
UX 200 Luxury -- $44,450
UX 200 Sports Luxury -- $53,000
UX 200 F Sport -- $53,450
UX 250h Luxury 2WD -- $47,950
UX 250h Sports Luxury 2WD -- $56,500
UX 250h F Sport 2WD -- $56,950
UX 250h Sports Luxury AWD -- $61,000
UX 250h F Sport AWD -- $61,450
* Prices exclude on-road costs
Options:
Premium paint -- $1500
Luxury Enhancement Pack 1 -- $1550:
Hands-free power tailgate, wireless charger, alloy scuff plates, headlamp washer, rear privacy glass, cornering lamp
Luxury Enhancement Pack 2 -- $4050:
Enhancement Pack 1 features plus moonroof
F Sport moonroof -- $2500
F Sport Enhancement Pack -- $5600:
Moonroof, 13-speaker Mark Levinson audio, head-up display, panoramic view monitor, smart key card
Sports Luxury enhancement pack -- $3500:
Moonroof, head-up display, smart key card