Lexus UX Hybrid - TopCarNews

Lexus UX Hybrid (2019 – present) | Expert Rating [hide]

Summary

The Lexus UX Hybrid is a premium compact SUV/crossover and the first model in this sector for Lexus. The UX shares its underpinnings with several Toyota models and is only available in the UK as a petrol-electric hybrid.

An electric version of the Lexus UX called the UX 300e joined the range in 2020. We have built a separate page for that model as it drives somewhat differently to the conventional UX Hybrid models covered here.

The UX has received mostly average to good scores from the UK motoring media. Reviewers have praised its urban fuel economy and driving dynamics, which are greatly helped by its hybrid drivetrain, but have criticised its poor infotainment system and cramped interior dimensions.

As of November 2021, the Lexus UX Hybrid holds an Expert Rating of 61%, based on 23 reviews.

Key specifications

Body style: Compact SUV/crossoverPower unit: petrol-electric hybrid
Price: From £29,950 on-road

Launched: Spring 2019Last 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.

The Car Expert

“Those who spend most of their driving time around towns and villages will no doubt find the Lexus UX suits them down to the ground.”
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Auto Express

Score: 7 / 10“The Lexus UX is a compelling alternative to the best compact SUVs you can buy. The styling is daring and different, the interior is finished to the usual Lexus high standards, and it’s packed with an impressive array of safety equipment.”
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Model reviewed: UX 250hScore: 7 / 10“The UX is a likeable compact SUV and arguably the best car Lexus makes. However, few UK buyers will see the benefit in the four-wheel drive version, especially when it costs more to buy, fuel and tax than the front-wheel-drive UX – some of the main draws of owning the hybrid Lexus.”
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Score: 7 / 10“The Lexus UX hybrid is good to drive, economical and should be easy to live with, too.”
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Auto Trader

Score: 6 / 10“Dynamically speaking, the UX is the most competitive car Lexus makes, blending a comfortable ride with neat, controlled handling. However, if you’re looking for family-friendly practicality, you’ll need to look elsewhere, due to the UX’s cramped rear seats and tiny boot.”
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Autocar

Model reviewed: UX 250h Premium Plus PackScore: 7 / 10“A Volvo XC40 is a more complete, well-rounded package, while the Audi Q3’s cabin offers even greater levels of premium appeal. But for those after something a little different, that’ll stand out from the rest of the compact SUV field, the Lexus UX is easy enough to recommend.”
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Score: 7 / 10“Refreshingly different, cost-effective premium SUV is a credible, if not class-leading, alternative.”
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Car

Model reviewed: 250h LuxuryScore: 6 / 10“There’s no doubting that if you’re in the front, at least, the Lexus UX is a cocooningly pleasurable place in which to spend time. It soothes with its comfort, quietness and air of refinement, particularly if you stick with the standard 17-inch wheels and go for a Luxury specification model.”
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Carbuyer

Score: 7.8 / 10“The economical Lexus UX looks and feels great, but falls short on versatility.”
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Carwow

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7 / 10“The Lexus UX is a striking small SUV with a classy, well-equipped interior, but those looks won’t be to everyone’s taste and the infotainment system is about the fiddliest there is.”
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Company Car Today

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol hybrid automatic 250h TakumiScore: 7.8 / 10“The Lexus UX stacks up brilliantly for business drivers, but has practicality issues and some styling and especially usability nuances that would improve the car if ironed out.”
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Daily Mirror

Model reviewed: UX 250h F SportScore: 8 / 10“The Lexus UX F Sport with Takumi Pack may be difficult to get to grips with at first – but once you do you’ll find it’s beautifully complicated.”
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Green Car Guide

Model reviewed: UX 250hScore: 8 / 10“The Lexus UX 250h is a compact SUV, it has an efficient petrol-electric hybrid powertrain, and a premium badge, so it ticks lots of boxes with potential buyers – and it’s also good to drive.”
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Honest John

“It’s frustrating that more effort hasn’t been concentrated on giving the UX an extra sprinkling of showroom appeal, but the budget has clearly been spent on producing a car that’s well built and will be cheap to run.”
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Motoring Research

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“Not perfect, but painless to drive and own.”
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Parkers

Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 8 / 10“Compact crossover is an intriguing, leftfield choice”
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The Sun

“Is the UX enough to compete with the XC40? For me, not quite. But it’s the first Lexus which knows exactly what customers want, rather than persuading them to break the norm and take a gamble.”
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The Sunday Times

Model reviewed: UX 250h SE (FWD)Score: 7 / 10“Everything we’ve come to expect from the bigger Lexus SUVs, but in a tighter package.”
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The Telegraph

Model reviewed: UX 200h F SportScore: 6 / 10“The family SUV market really needs hybrid cars like this to reduce CO2 emissions and provide an alternative to diesel. Unfortunately the UX, while providing a serviceable hybrid drivetrain, misses the mark with its poor internal packaging, connectivity options and screen graphics.”
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Top Gear

Model reviewed: 250hScore: 7 / 10“It’s more interesting, and more town-friendly, than most of its immediate rivals.”
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Score: 7 / 10“In a tax (and social) environment increasingly turning against diesel, the UX hybrid offers a unique solution and silhouette in a crowded segment”
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What Car?

Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 4 / 10“The driving experience is so-so, the infotainment system is poor, while practicality is shocking for a family SUV when it comes to rear-seat and boot space. If you want a hybrid SUV you’d be better off with a larger Toyota RAV4 for the same money.”
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Which?

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7.5 / 10“In the popular compact SUV market, the Lexus UX stands out not only because of how it looks, but also how well it performs in pretty much all respects. It’s easy and relaxing to drive, is comfortable and feels very well built. If you can live with the small boot, it’s a great choice.”
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Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall rating: 5 stars
Date tested: May 2019

96%

ADULT OCCUPANT

85%

CHILD OCCUPANT

82%

VULNERABLE ROAD USERS

77%

SAFETY ASSIST

Read full Euro NCAP review

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

The Lexus UX Hybrid has not been lab tested by Green NCAP. This is a new initiative, launched in 2018 as a sister organisation to Euro NCAP.

As yet, very few new cars have been tested for environmental impact by Green NCAP, and inevitably the testing programme was halted in early 2020 by the coronavirus pandemic before resuming later in the year.

Security rating

Independent vehicle theft and security ratings from Thatcham Research

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

Date: 2019

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