The UX 300e is Lexus’ first EV, but a few years from now that may be all we remember about it
It took Lexus quite a while to get rolling, but it has now launched its first electric vehicle in Australia, the UX 300e. The compact luxury SUV is an extension of the orthodox UX line-up and kicks off at an attention-getting $74,000 plus on-road costs. For that you get mild performance and limited range that is outdone by cheaper offerings from more mainstream brands.
A bit overdue
The 2022 Lexus UX 300e electric compact SUV is a bit overdue. Think about it. Is there a luxury vehicle brand better suited to the hushed ambience electrified motoring can deliver?
BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche (especially the latter) have an internal combustion tradition that has recruited generations of fans. Some of them will not easily give that addiction up.
But Lexus? No, for all the efforts made by models like the RC coupe and the LFA supercar, it has nothing like the enthusiast following of its rivals. Instead, this is a brand that has made a refined name for itself.
So the Lexus UX 300e, its first EV, makes lots of sense. Quiet, pleasant, motoring for up to five occupants.
But the UX 300e is what’s commonly dubbed a compliance car. It’s an EV based on a platform for an internal combustion-engined (ICE) vehicle, which means it has inbuilt compromises compared to something like the Hyundai IONIQ 5 – the 2021 carsales Car of the Year.
The electric UX is more expensive, with less range and less performance. But at least Lexus is not alone. There are several compliance cars out there right now, including the Mercedes-Benz EQA and Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric.
There are two UX 300e models, the Luxury being tested here – priced from $74,000 plus on-road costs – and the Sports Luxury, which starts at $81,000 plus ORCs. They are the two most expensive models in the otherwise ICE petrol and petrol-electric hybrid UX line-up.
Both EVs share a 150kW/300Nm front-wheel drive powertrain and 54.3kWh lithium-ion battery pack that adds up to a claimed 360km range. The EQA and XC40 claim much longer ranges, by the way.
Where they vary is in the equipment lists.
The Luxury grade features 17-inch alloy wheels, a powered tailgate, keyless entry/start, a power-adjustable steering column, heated steering wheel, eight-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, rear seat heating and a synthetic upholstery material.
It also has a 10.3-inch infotainment screen, wireless smartphone charging, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, digital radio and a 13-speaker Mark Levinson audio system.
The Sports Luxury adds to that with 18-inch alloys, a sunroof, head-up display, panoramic view monitor, leather-accented seat trim with ‘Washi’ upholstery finish and a 3D look for climate control vents.
There is no spare tyre for either grade.
Both come with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, as well as an industry-leading 10-year/unlimited warranty for the battery with a guarantee of at least 70 per cent of the original capacity.
A capped-price servicing program equates to $295 for each of the first five services (12 months or 15,000km).
The UX 300e comes with a complimentary JetCharge home charger including installation and three-year complimentary Chargefox on-road recharging.
There’s also three-year complimentary membership of Lexus Encore Platinum, which is usually reserved for more expensive models such as the LS, LX and LC. Included in the deal, along with more mundane stuff like valet parking, is Lexus on Demand, which allows members to borrow another Lexus up to four times over the subscription period, for up to eight days at a time.
Eight airbags, five stars
The 2022 Lexus UX 300e comes with eight airbags, a five-star ANCAP rating (2019 standard) transferred over from the ICE models and autonomous emergency braking (AEB) that detects vehicles and pedestrians day or night and cyclists during the day.
Other driver assist systems include active cruise control, lane keeping aid and departure warning, traffic sign recognition, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert.
There is also a reversing camera with guides, and front and rear parking sensors. There are two ISOFIX and three child-seat top tether strap points in row two.
The Sports Luxury gains a 360-degree camera and more sophisticated LED headlight array that can selectively dip high beam in certain areas of the road ahead to avoid dazzling other traffic.
Almost identical
The 2022 Lexus UX 300e measures up almost identically to the ICE model. The overall 4495mm length is exactly the same while the EV is a fraction (5mm) taller at 1525mm.
It looks much the same externally too, given away by ‘electric’ badges either side and a blue badge on the tailgate.
The big difference is kerb weight, which is up to 300kg heavier at 1840kg. You can put a lot of that down to the battery pack.
Boot space in the UX 300e is claimed at 414 litres – bigger than the hybrid and almost as big as orthodox ICE UX models. But it looks pretty small.
The dynamic set-up fundamentals are the same as other UX models. MacPherson struts up front and trailing wishbones at the rear are retuned, while electric-assist power steering and disc brakes all-round are included, albeit bigger at the rear.
The EV comes with the assistance of multiple stage regenerative braking and – like other UX models – three drive modes: Eco, Normal and Sport. The latter allows full acceleration and adds steering wheel effort.
The permanent magnet synchronous motor engages the front wheels via a two-stage reduction gear. Steering wheel paddles give a gear change effect by adjusting the regenerative braking effect.
The claimed 0-100km/h acceleration rate is 7.5sec, but it does feel faster thanks to that typical EV snappiness from a standing start.
The UX 300e can recharge in nine hours at a maximum AC 6.6kW charge via a Type 2 plug. DC charging at a maximum (and pretty slow) 50kW can be achieved in about 80 minutes, via the now rarely seen CHAdeMO plug.
The claimed consumption rate is 15kWh/100km, which equates to the aforementioned 360km.
We won’t keep you in suspense. Never got near it. After topping the UX off the best range estimate it provided was about 270km and the best consumption rate we saw was 17.1kW/100km, or just over 300km.
The message from all that is the UX 300e does not provide the sort of range the latest generation of EVs are delivering, some for less money.
Toyota family architecture
Like the orthodox UX line-up, the 2022 Lexus UX 300e is based on Toyota’s TNGA-C monocoque architecture, which means it’s underpinned by something similar to the Toyota Corolla, Prius, C-HR and many others.
Like we’ve already said this is a compromised set-up compared to an EV designed from the ground up to be an EV.
That’s obvious from the moment the UX 300e is entered. It’s got a significant central tunnel intended to house exhaust pipes and other gubbins not used by this car.
It divides the front passengers and helps makes the centre-rear seat very much the weakest choice when it comes to comfort.
The UX 300e also inherits another of its brethren’s packaging signatures, which is the tight space in the rear seat. The seat itself is generous – apart from some outboard plastic trimming where material should be – and headroom is fine, but knee-room is tight and there is no foot-room at all if the driver drops the front seat as low as it can go.
It’s also disappointing there are no door pockets back there, only one seatback pocket and minimal adjustment for the air-conditioning.
It’s rare to feel like a second-rate citizen in the back of a Lexus but you do in this one.
Up front, it’s much better; comfy seats, great materials, expert assembly. The infotainment screen and other controls – there are plenty of them – are even canted toward the driver.
If only the weird finger pad for the infotainment screen worked a bit more intuitively. Or Lexus just opted for something more orthodox.
Anyway, let’s talk about the driving…
Range aside, our impressions are pretty positive.
The UX 300e does what EVs do best. It accelerates with real energy from a standing start and does it quietly and smoothly. There’s even a chirrup from the front tyres if the throttle is used a bit too enthusiastically.
Then, exploiting its small size, the low positioning of the heavy battery pack in the frame and an electric motor about 50 per cent lighter than an ICE that’s mounted lower, the UX 300e handles cleanly and nimbly and steers quickly and pointedly, albeit with a suggestion of torque steer (tug on the wheel when accelerating) in corners.
The ride is perhaps a little stiff-legged because of the need to control extra weight, but the tuning is good and the comfort level is, at worst, acceptable. That’s allied with quiet EV progress, although tyre noise does try and fill in some of that space.
The regenerative braking paddles are of limited assistance. The UX 300e doesn’t pull you up as noticeably as Hyundai’s much more effective system in the IONIQ 5 and Kona Electric. The transition from regen braking to friction braking is well modulated.
Sport mode sparkles up the drivetrain and adds a cool whooshing turbine noise. But the added steering weight seems of little advantage.
The steering is quick (2.76 turns lock to lock) and the turning circle small at 10.4m. Combine that with its small overall size, accessible power, snappy handling and zero emissions, and the UX 300e is a likeable city car.
Starting point
The 2022 Lexus UX 300e earns its place in future Trivia Quiz as the first Lexus EV, but that’s about all it will be remembered for.
It is costly, has a limited range and its interior is compromised because it uses an ICE platform to underpin an EV.
The good news is there is much to look forward to. Lexus has already given us a sneak preview of some of the exciting new-generation EV models it will roll out in coming years.
If you must have a Lexus EV now, then this is your only choice. It certainly previews the quiet and refined future of the brand.
How much does the 2022 Lexus UX 300e Luxury cost?Price: $74,000 (plus on-road costs)Available: NowPowertrain: Single permanent magnet synchronous electric motorOutput: 150kW/300NmTransmission: Single-speed reduction gearBattery: 54.3kWh lithium-ionRange: 360km (ADR)Energy consumption: 15.0kWh/100km (ADR)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2019)
Keyword: Lexus UX 300e Luxury 2022 Review