The meeting with the Lexus UX 300e electric car turned out to be quite unexpected, but it did not become any less pleasant or interesting. After all, you are looking at the updated Lexus UX 300e, which has an improved interior and a larger battery. So: let’s get acquainted with the Lexus UX crossover in general and the Lexus UX 300e electric vehicle in particular.
Design: crossover or hatchback?
This is probably the first question that comes to mind when looking at the Lexus UX crossover in any of its manifestations. It’s because of the low height and too short rear end without additional windows. You get the impression that this is not a crossover, but just a C-class hatchback. Moreover, in the case of the Lexus UX 300e electric vehicle, this impression is further enhanced by the usual “passenger car” ground clearance of 140 mm (this is a feature of the electric version) and painted wheel arch covers, which is a feature of the Luxury package.
As well as pointed headlights with triple LED elements and an adaptive light module. If you combine these headlights with the branded grille and sharp lines on the doors, there is no doubt: we are looking at a Lexus! But rather youthful in character and bold in design. For example, the Lexus UX was one of the first cars to have a solid lantern line running through the entire trunk lid.
Any version of Lexus UX is quite compact: length – 4.5 meters; width – 1.84 meters; height – 1.52 meters; wheelbase – 2.64 meters. Formally, Lexus UX belongs to crossovers and SUVs: brand designation with the letter X (remember the models NX, RX, GX, LX); black plastic around the perimeter of the body; wheel arch covers can also be dark plastic; the ground clearance of the hybrid version of Lexus UX is 160 mm. However, the electric car Lexus UX 300e has a battery underneath the body and a ground clearance of only 140 mm, and the Luxury package brings painted wheel arch covers – as a result, theLexus UX 300e looks like a passenger hatchback rather than a crossover. Another distinctive feature of the electric vehicle is two charging ports: Type 2 Mennekes ( alternating AC current with a capacity of up to 7 kW) and CHAdeMO ( direct DC current with a capacity of up to 50 kW).
The interior is also unmistakably Lexus, and there’s no doubt that it belongs to the Lexus family. Especially this one – with the front panel decor in the style of Japanese Washi paper and with light cream perforated leather seats. In general, the interior of the Lexus UX has many interesting details: the dashboard has protruding switch washers (selecting driving modes and turning off the stabilization system), the update of the Lexus UX crossover gave it an enlarged central display with a new multimedia system; accordingly, this allowed to “unload” the center console, where the buttons for heating and ventilation of the seats are now located.
However, in terms of headroom, the Lexus UX again resembles a hatchback: the ceiling is rather low, there is no headroom, and it is impossible to form a high upright position, which is usually provided by crossovers. While the driver and passenger in the front can still adjust their seats and choose a comfortable fit, there is no such option in the back – there is not enough space not only above the head but also for the knees. Moreover, the small doors are not conducive to comfortable seating. But thanks to the blind panels and the “deep” seating position, the passengers behind feel protected and cozy. In addition, there are numerous compensating amenities: an armrest, ventilation deflectors, and even 2-mode seat heating.
Traditionally for Lexus, the interior is made of several layers of different shapes and materials that seem to overlap. The updated Lexus UX is generally recognizable by its enlarged central display and the latest multimedia system; and the electric Lexus UX 300e is particularly recognizable by its instrument cluster, where it is unusual to see a battery level indicator. The center console has a drive mode selector and heating/ventilation control buttons; the seats have pleasant light perforated leather. The seating position is traditionally light and rather low, with just enough space in front and behind. An interesting feature: while the Lexus UX hybrid crossover has a 220-liter trunk, the Lexus UX 300e electric vehicle offers 303 liters; but it lacks a spare tire – only a tire repair kit.
Technology: attention to the features of the updated electric car
The Lexus UX crossover is based on the GA-C platform, which allows for the installation of different engines and drive types. For example: in general, there are versions of the Lexus UX with a gasoline engine, a gasoline-electric hybrid, and an all-electric version; the drive can be front-wheel or all-wheel drive. However, there are currently two versions of the Lexus UX crossover available in Ukraine: the hybrid Lexus UX 250h is a 2-liter gasoline engine plus an electric motor with a total power of 184 hp, front-wheel drive; the all-electric Lexus UX 300e is a 150 kW or 204 hp electric motor, front-wheel drive, and a Li-Ion battery in the lower part of the body.
And now for the details of the update. From the beginning of its career, the Lexus UX 300e electric car received a 54.3 kWh battery, which was supposed to be enough for 400 km of driving on the NEDC cycle (which has always been quite optimistic). However, the 2022 update gave the Lexus UX the aforementioned multimedia system, new suspension and steering settings, and – for the electric version of the Lexus UX 300e – an increased battery: now we have 72.8 kWh, which should be enough for 440 km of driving, but according to the WLTP cycle (which is quite realistic). The new battery has 96 cells and operates at 355 volts. By the way, if you’re interested: the Lexus UX 300e electric car weighs at least 1800 kg, which is 200+ kg more than the aforementioned hybrid version of the Lexus UX 250h. It’s unlikely that this can be attributed to the battery, as there are also changes in the body structure; however, the fact is that the electric car is much heavier.
TheLexus UXcrossover in general is a GA-C platform , a load-bearing body, fully independent wheel suspensions, different engines and the type of drive (front or all-wheel drive). The electric car Lexus UX 300e in particular is an electric motor with a capacity of 150 kW or 204 hp with a torque of 300 Nm, as well as a battery in the lower part of the body. Moreover, during a scheduled update, the battery capacity was increased by a third, and today it is this Lexus UX 300e that offers the largest battery and the longest range of all Lexus electric vehicles (yes, even compared to the more modern Lexus RZ). All of this promises us the following: acceleration from 0-100 km/h in 7.5 seconds, top speed of 160 km/h, and a range of 440 km. So…
Behind the wheel: comfort, softness, quietness
The first and main thought-observation on the topic: the idea of an electric car is very well superimposed on the idea of Lexus cars in general. What I personally expect from Lexus is comfort on the move, softness in reactions, and silence while driving. And in this case, the electric drive seems to further emphasize the advantages that the Lexus UX crossover offers from the very beginning: good comfort and quietness while driving. When I first met the Lexus UX, I described it in one phrase: small but real Lexus. After all, it really does offer a very soft suspension, good comfort on rough roads, and good sound insulation. I’d even go so far as to say that it behaves very gently while driving.
And now all of this is combined with a silent electric motor, instantaneous responses to the accelerator pedal, and no shifts or pauses in the transmission. Just one continuous line of acceleration, one seamless line of movement. In almost absolute silence. The Lexus UX 300e electric car offers several driving modes – normal, eco, or sport – but I used the latter very rarely. After all, the mood inside the Lexus UX 300e is such that you want to relax and have a rest. That’s not to say that the Lexus UX 300e can’t drive dynamically, though. Just take a look at the dynamics measurement below: it almost fulfills the promise of acceleration in 7.5 seconds, and this “almost” is due to a slight slippage of the wheels – if you avoid it, you can win back 0.1-0.2 seconds to get the “passport” result. In addition, the Lexus UX 300e electric car is very pleasant in corners. Despite the softness of the suspension and the general relaxed mood, every turn is easy and with minimal body roll – that’s where the low body height and lower battery location come into play.
Do you have any comments? Of course, there are some. First of all, the Lexus UX 300e electric car has a 4-level regeneration control (petals under the steering wheel), and when the B-mode is activated with the selector on the center console, the third level is immediately activated. But in any case, the recovery is rather weak, the electric car slows down just a little; accordingly, it gathers little power. For example, on Olena Teliha’s descent, you can collect energy for only +1-2 km of run, which is one of the lowest rates among the electric vehicles I have seen. Moreover, it seems that it is possible to do more intensive recuperation – but for some reason, the development engineers of the Lexus UX 300e have forcibly limited such possibilities. Secondly, turning on the climate control takes about 10% of the predicted range. Okay, I understand turning on the cabin heater or air conditioning compressor; but when I forcefully turn off the air conditioning and leave only the ventilation, it’s still minus 10% of the range.
Finally, the third comment is about charging capabilities: only 50 kW when using DC fast charging stations and only 7 kW when charging from AC chargers – this is frankly not enough today. It seems that the charging capabilities were designed for the initial version of the electric vehicle with a smaller battery, but when the battery was updated and the battery was increased, the charging capabilities did not improve. What does this mean? It means that it will take about 9.5 hours to fully charge the battery from a 7 kW AC power source. Now, it is not a problem to find a 10 kW power source and, with the ability to accept more power, the battery could be charged in 7 hours – but the Lexus UX 300e simply does not provide this opportunity. The story is similar with recharging from direct current (DC) sources: there are already charging stations in Ukraine (albeit few, but they exist) that can deliver more than 50 kW; but again, we run into the limitations of the Lexus UX 300e – it will only accept 50 kW maximum.
The electric motor almost lives up to the promise of dynamics, the recovery can be made more intense, the driving modes barely affect the driving experience and do not affect the range at all (unlike climate control). A few words about fuel consumption… oops, energy! On average, in the city we get 17-18 kWh per 100 km, which, taking into account the battery capacity, actually gives us 400+ km of range. At a minimum, I received about 15-15.5 kWh in the city (you can swing for the promised 440 km), and the maximum exceeded 20+ kWh (you can drive the entire battery in plus or minus 300 km). On the highway, when driving at 100 km/h, energy consumption is about 18 kWh per hundred.
Cost: how much does Lexus UX cost and who are the competitors
The Lexus UX crossover is now offered in Ukraine in several versions, which differ in both the powertrain (hybrid or electric drive) and the level of equipment – respectively, all this forms the price. For example.
TheLexus UX 250hhybrid crossover in the F Sport Design configuration costs UAH 1.98 million or almost $48 thousand. The list of equipment includes the following: F Sport front bumper, F Sport rear bumper, F Sport 18-inch alloy wheels, LED low- and high-beam headlights, AHB automatic high beam system, adaptive cruise control, heated steering wheel and front seats, rearview camera, 2-zone climate control, instrument cluster with 7-inch digital display, 8-inch center touchscreen display and Lexus Link multimedia system, wireless charging, six-speaker Lexus Premium audio, faux leather seating, stability control, front collision avoidance, lane departure warning and lane keeping assist, traffic sign recognition, front and side airbags, inflatable side curtains, keyless entry, and more.
TheLexus UX 300e electric car in the Luxury configuration costs UAH 2.23 million or $54 thousand. In addition to a complete change of engine type, there is also an extended package: painted wheel arch linings and gray milled 17-inch wheels, triple headlights and adaptive high beams, a four-camera surround view system, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, HUD projection on the windshield, an enlarged 12.3-inch center display and Lexus Link Pro multimedia system, Mark Levinson audio, mirror blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert, and more.
A customizable digital instrument cluster, climate control, and many security systems are present in any version of the Lexus UX; the maximum Luxurytrim adds adaptive high beams, an enlarged center display, all-round visibility, front seat ventilation, and more.
A few words about competitors. At first glance, it seems that the Audi Q3, BMW X1, and Mercedes GLA are worth mentioning here; however, they are much larger and more spacious inside, offer a wider range of versions, and are available with turbo diesel and all-wheel drive. As is usually the case, the Lexus UX is played up by the level of equipment: where its German rivals are just starting out, it already offers a very complete package. But it seems to me that in terms of the crossover-hatchback format, the emphasis on comfort, the offer of front-wheel drive only, and the combination of good equipment for the money, the closest ideological competitor is the DS 4.
Now a few words about electric cars. If we compare the cost, battery size, and range, the Lexus UX 300e (like many other models) loses out to electric vehicles from the Chinese market – for example, we can mention the Honda e:NS1 or Nissan Ariya. However, it is unlikely that a potential buyer of the Lexus UX 300e will choose among such electric vehicles without the support of authorized dealers. At most, they can look at Tesla Model 3 and Model Model Y; but they are already familiar. Among the interesting official novelties, for example, there is the new Citroen e-C4, but that’s too easy. And suddenly, but as an interesting competitor, the MINI Aceman appears. So…
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