Lexus UX Electric - TopCarNews

Lexus UX Electric (2020 – present) | Expert Rating [hide]

Summary

The Lexus UX Electric (UX 300e) is a battery-powered electric version of the estabished Lexus UX 250h Hybrid. It is the first fully-electric model from Lexus, launching in 2020 and arriving in the UK in early 2021.

Initial reviews have scored the Lexus UX Electric several points behind the regular UX Hybrid versions, the UX Electric obtaining an Expert Rating of 54%. As of December 2021, we only have a handful of reviews for the UX Electric, so its Expert Rating score is likely to shift (either up or down) as local reviews are published by various titles through the coming year.

The Lexus UX 300e has received mostly average scores to date from the European launch. Reviewers have praised its urban driving dynamics, which is where its electric powertrain is best suited, but have criticised its poor infotainment system and cramped interior dimensions. Its driving range is also less than several significantly cheaper alternatives.

Lexus UX Electric highlights

Leisurely driving experience
Great build quality
Powerful performance
Comfortable interior trim

Lexus UX Electric lowlights

Cramped rear seats and boot
Shorter battery range than rivals
Confusing infotainment
Top trims get expensive
Slow battery charging

Key specifications

Body style: Compact SUV/crossoverPower unit: single electric motor with batteryPrice: From £40,900 on-road*
*includes £3,000 government plug-in car grant

Launched: Autumn 2020Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express

Model reviewed: UX 300eScore: 7 / 10“Don’t be fooled by the rating here; it’s the same as the regular UX hybrid’s, but in truth, we think that cheaper versions of the Lexus UX 300e will probably be worth an extra half-star. This EV is nicely finished, just about practical enough for most buyers’ needs, and particularly refined.”
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Auto Trader

Score: 7.6 / 10“The UX 300e builds on the wide experience Lexus has in building hybrid models. Rather than an all-new model, Lexus has instead electrified the existing UX SUV, which you can still buy as a petrol-electric hybrid if you prefer. The UX 300e impresses with its build quality and style, but the relatively short range and middling performance put it on a back foot compared with many rivals.”
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Autocar

Score: 7 / 10“The Lexus UX 300e is an interesting option and has some lovely touches.”
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Model reviewed: UX 300eScore: 6 / 10“If you have a family, it’s hard to ignore the fact that there are a plethora of cheaper and significantly more spacious rivals out there, ranging from the Kia e-Niro to the Tesla Model 3. Both of those cars also offer notably longer ranges and have better infotainment systems.”
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Carbuyer

Score: 8.4 / 10“The Lexus UX 300e is a refined electric SUV with respectable range”
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Carwow

“Combining the traditional Lexus benefits of build-quality and reliability with electric power should make the Lexus UX 300e a popular choice.”
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Company Car Today

“Lexus has positioned itself well with a small SUV that offers reasonable range, a high-quality interior and a decent driving experience.”
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Daily Mail

“Though technically it is a compact urban SUV, the Lexus UX 300e feels roomy and high-riding. It’s sprightly enough and smooth, refined and well-balanced to drive. It whizzes along dual-carriageways and A-roads, and has a bit of poke thanks to its friction-free early electric acceleration.”
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Daily Mirror

Score: 6 / 10“Everybody inside the UX 300e will appreciate the silence but this Lexus is not strikingly good value and there is a lot of competition with more on the way.”
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Driving Electric

Model reviewed: Score: 7 / 10“The Lexus UX 300e electric car suits its drivetrain well and is one of the most refined small SUVs around.”
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Fleetworld

Model reviewed: UX 300e Premium PlusScore: 7 / 10“The Lexus UX is a good electric car with a strong business case made without re-writing the rule book, unlike its competition.”
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Honest John

“Notably, the Lexus UX 300e is currently the only premium SUV which meets the eligibility criteria for the £3,000 plug-in vehicle grant from OLEV, the Government’s Office for Low Emission Vehicles.”
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The Telegraph

Score: 6 / 10“The Lexus UX 300e is well priced and nicely specced. It’s not a bad drive, though the traction isn’t the greatest, and Lexus models tend to be reliable and have good residual values. But the range isn’t wonderful and will fall considerably in cold weather, at high speeds or on hills, and there are more interesting models out there.”
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Top Gear

Score: 7 / 10“The Lexus UX 300e is quiet, efficient enough, makes good use of the advantages of the drivetrain and is a relaxing car to drive.”
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What Car?

Score: 6 / 10“If you live in a city, we can see why the Lexus UX 300e would be a tempting proposition. However, if you have a family, it’s hard to ignore the fact that there are a plethora of cheaper and significantly more spacious rivals out there, the Kia e-Niro and Tesla Model 3 being among them.”
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Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall rating: 5 stars
Date tested: October 2019

97%

ADULT OCCUPANT

87%

CHILD OCCUPANT

87%

VULNERABLE ROAD USERS

76%

SAFETY ASSIST

Read full Euro NCAP review

The Lexus UX Electric shares its Euro NCAP safety rating with the UX Hybrid range, which was rated five stars in 2019.

A shared rating is not automatic for electric versions of conventional vehicles because the electric motor and battery layout can lead to very different crash test results. In this case, Euro NCAP confirmed in early 2021 that the UX 300e shares the UX Hybrid’s 2019 rating rather than conducting separate crash tests based on newer protocols.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

Model tested: Electric 4×2 Automatic
Date tested: November 2021

10 / 10

CLEAN AIR INDEX

9.7 / 10

ENERGY EFFICIENCY INDEX

10 / 10

GREENHOUSE GAS INDEX

Read full Green NCAP review

The Lexus UX Electric was reviewed by emissions testers Green NCAP in their last batch of 2021 tests, achieving a full five-star rating.

Green NCAP concluded, “A higher driving range would improve the vehicle’s functionality and user experience, but for those wishing to minimize their environmental impact, the Lexus 300e offers an excellent choice.”

Security rating

Independent vehicle theft and security ratings from Thatcham Research

Rating: Superior | Good | Basic | Poor | Unacceptable
Relay Attack: Fail

Date: 2019

Although the Lexus UX Electric hasn’t specifically been tested by Thatcham, the regular Lexus UX Hybrid received a Poor rating because it failed a relay attack test, which measures the security of a car’s keyless entry and/or keyless start system. This means the car is susceptible to thieves intercepting its keyless signal and using it to steal the car.

As the UX Electic uses the same key technology as its hybrid sister, it will have the same weakness.

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Keyword: Lexus UX Electric