Lexus has brought “wide-ranging upgrades” to its popular UX crossover in South Africa for the new year.
Enhancements include the latest-generation multimedia system, additional driver assistance programmes, a few design tweaks, new interior colours, and a larger paint palette.
The updated Lexus is still offered in EX, SE, and F Sport grades, now with a starting price of R808,600.
What’s new
The 2023 UX line-up has been brought up-to-date with fitment of Lexus’ newest infotainment system incorporating a 12.3-inch central touchscreen that now sits 143mm further forward on the instrument panel than before to make operation for the driver less of a hassle.
“Significantly increased computing power means command responses are quicker, while ‘always connected’ cloud-based navigation is provided as standard, giving access to real-time road and traffic information for easier journey planning,” said Lexus.
Furthermore, the infotainment hub provides abilities ranging from wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, to over-the-air software updates.
Below this, the centre console has been redesigned seeing the removal of the touchpad found in the previous model, in favour of controls for the heated front seats and an illuminated smartphone tray.
In the driver assistance department, Lexus has improved the Safety System+ which is standard fit on the UX range.
The automaker sharpened the reactions of the pre-collision system as well as equipped the crossover with intersection turning assist, emergency steering assist, and all-speed dynamic cruise control with curve speed reduction.
Other revisions comprise a new Hazel Brown shade for both the synthetic leather in the EX and genuine leather in the SE, as well as a new “sashiko” pleating effect for the seats in the EX and “kagome” stitchwork for those in the SE.
The F Sport, on the other hand, gets a model-exclusive steering wheel and Sports seats, aluminium pedals and footrests, a leather shifter, a “digitally-rendered” 8-inch instrument cluster with a movable ring inspired by the LFA supercar, and three unique cabin trim combinations namely white, F Black, and Flare Red.
Last, but not least, cosmetic enhancements come in the form of “stylistic fettling of the front headlamps, rear combination lamps, and darker outer mirrors,” said Lexus, as well as new exterior paints such as Sonic Iridium and Poseidon Blue – the latter of which is now the factory colour for the F Sport.
New bi-tone hues are also on the options list, including White Nova, Sonic Iridium, Sonic Chrome, Madder Red, Blazing Carnelian, and Poseidon Blue.
Available in UX250h guise only, the Lexus comes equipped with a 2.0-litre, petrol-hybrid drivetrain generating 130kW and 188Nm.
With a CVT gearbox turning the front wheels, the semi-electrified crossover is capable of claiming the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.5 seconds while reporting an average fuel usage of 4.5l/100km.
The configuration provides a Normal drive mode that achieves a balance between driving performance and fuel economy, an ECO mode that prioritises fuel savings by smoothing the throttle response and moderating air conditioning operation, and a Sport mode that delivers quicker throttle response and increased steering feel.
As the range-topper, the F Sport further gets adaptive variable suspension (AVS) which increases damping force when cornering or changing lanes thus minimising body roll, or reduces damping force in straight-line driving to preserve ride quality.
AVS also brings a Sport S+ drive mode which is exclusive to this model, along with a new rigid joint between the steering gearbox mount and front suspension member which assures “an even more precise steering feel” than before.
“To optimise the benefits of this, the shock absorber damping force has been fine-tuned, enhancing the linear steering feel,” said Lexus.
Price
The South African pricing and model line-up for the new Lexus UX are as follows:
- Lexus UX250h EX – R808,600
- Lexus UX250h SE – R891,800
- Lexus UX250h F Sport – R947,500
- Lexus UX250h F Sport Bi-tone – R958,100
Each model is sold with a 7-year/105,000km warranty and maintenance plan alongside an 8-year/195,000km hybrid battery warranty.
Lexus UX250h F Sport
Keyword: Lexus upgrades UX for South Africa – New pricing and features