Lexus UX Subcompact Crossover Revealed!

Unfortunately, my worries so far haven't ceased. It looks great against budget cars. But, I think it damages the luxury image direction that Lexus seemed to follow lately.

It is quite possible that fwd will face internal competition from CHR hsd 4wd.

In this class of premium vehicles, I fully expect the UX to be a competitive and strong seller.

Very disappointing but I didn't expect much as the concept as an absolute mess to begin with so I could never imagine a production version. It just looks so underwhelming. I hate the headlights, they look like the latest Alfa Romeo SUV.

Joe

For those who don't like the first looks on these pictures: bear in mind that almost every new Lexus doesn't look well on screen or paper (the LC was perhaps an exception, but then again we're talking sky high standards... ;))
The specific Lexus design with curves and edges is very difficult to grasp in a picture, whereas in reality most of their models show a whole other thing... White is not an easy 'colour' to communicate on picture, either.

Take the wheel arches, for example: they look rather similar to the UX Concept, luckily a bit downtuned. Also a nice detail is the visual continuation of the elevated side parts of the bonnet into the dashboard.
Combined with the original rear part with the horizontal continuous red line, I think the subtle original details of this car will surprise you positively when you see it in the flesh...

You're right, Lexus and photography is usually not a successful marriage.
And maybe is the white color not the best choice here, but why do they choose this?
Choosing a white color was hot, 5 years ago or so.

Was this car launched 2-3 years ago, then I was an enthusiastic. Now a little less, I expected more especially with the concept in mind.
I miss the WOW-factor here, and was not that promised to us, more emotion at Lexus?
It started well with the concept, perhaps a bit exaggerated on the other side, but that's allowed for a concept.

If we look around us once, especially in Europe, then we see a lot of those little-big ones.
Whether Lexus can still leave his mark here, I doubt it. Very late in the market and they do not jump out.
And they will not be cheap either. But certainly a good successor to the CT, is that the intention ?

Joaquin Ruhi

On a separate note, the Lexus Europe official news release adds a significant detail missing from its U.S. counterpart Mikeavelli linked to a few posts above: the UX's Chief Engineer is none other than Chika Kako, newly-minted Lexus International vice president, the highest-ranked woman in Toyota's corporate hierarchy and chief engineer for Lexus CT's first and second refresh.

VERY significant detail. Pretty amazing that the chief engineer for the UX is also the second-ranked executive for Lexus.

Gecko

Regardless of what any of us say or think, they're about to sell so many of these it'll be stupid. Probably instantly Lexus third best selling model behind RX and NX.

If it wasn't for the new RXL, I could see this passing the RX worldwide.

Andyl

One thing that is puzzling to me. There are two versions of the front fenders. One has smoother and the other one has a squared shaped besides the headlight. Maybe for different markets?

Honestly, I believe this is just the lighting on the photos vs. video.

Yikes. While I like the interior, the exterior leaves much to be desired.

Dreski

The most important question is. Does it come in AWD?

well considering tech reveal that most likely featured UX tech, yes.. E-Four for hybrid and Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD for the Petrol. Look at the top of this page for info.

krew

If it wasn't for the new RXL, I could see this passing the RX worldwide.

It wont outsell NX everywhere... NX has cool situation where it sells well EVERYWHERE.

For instance, UX might outsell it in Europe and even in Japan, but then in US it wont get more than 50% of NX sales and likely the same goes for China where they prefer larger vehicles too. Same goes for Russia.

The problem of making the LC look so gorgeous. Everything else looks so bland...

The problem of making the LC look so gorgeous. Everything else looks so bland...

I'm afraid Lexus is playing it too safe with the UX. I see where they are coming from. The competitors (BMW, MB, Audi, Volvo, Alfa Romeo, etc.) all have similar conservative mini crossovers that don't stand out, but sell like crazy due to the low entry price. And when I say low entry price, I'm not kidding: The new Audi Q2 costs $20.000 less than an entry level CT200h in Denmark (I'm comparing with the price when Lexus sold cars in Denmark...)

I would have preferred that Lexus repeated the formula of the NX and RX and made a car that really stood out in the sea of beige German competitors. I hope the eyebrow DRL works better here than on the CT refresh, and that it has a rump to die for.

LDeleuran

I'm afraid Lexus is playing it too safe with the UX. I see where they are coming from. The competitors (BMW, MB, Audi, Volvo, Alfa Romeo, etc.) all have similar conservative mini crossovers that don't stand out, but sell like crazy due to the low entry price. And when I say low entry price, I'm not kidding: The new Audi Q2 costs $20.000 less than an entry level CT200h in Denmark (I'm comparing with the price when Lexus sold cars in Denmark...)

I would have preferred that Lexus repeated the formula of the NX and RX and made a car that really stood out in the sea of beige German competitors. I hope the eyebrow DRL works better here than on the CT refresh, and that it has a rump to die for.

I completely agree with you but I can see this looking better than NX these days. NX is now very regular looking vehicle, and UX certainly looks like it has way better interior too.

I don't think it looks too bad.
I've been kind of quiet here lately after I lost interest in Lexus products after the new LS (yes I went and saw the LS in person, and was actually driving behind one the other day and I absolutely hate the way it looks).
I am actually looking forward to seeing the UX in person. But, unless Lexus finally make a plug-in hybrid and adds features I can get on a RAV 4 but not an NX (360 camera, pano roof) I am afraid I won't be too interested.
But, at least they got me looking again.
I am enjoying my orange RC 350 though!

Enthusiast88

I don't think it looks too bad.
I've been kind of quiet here lately after I lost interest in Lexus products after the new LS (yes I went and saw the LS in person, and was actually driving behind one the other day and I absolutely hate the way it looks).
I am actually looking forward to seeing the UX in person. But, unless Lexus finally make a plug-in hybrid and adds features I can get on a RAV 4 but not an NX (360 camera, pano roof) I am afraid I won't be too interested.
But, at least they got me looking again.
I am enjoying my orange RC 350 though!

I agree. To show the LF - FC and then show the facelift with overhauled interior actual nextgen LS was criminal.

Lexus showed and promised more outrageous products with the LC. The new LS looks little like the concept that had every corner of motoring media in love and this UX is a pathetically pale imitation of the concept.

Just look at the concept vs reality headlight. The production is just so ugly and samey.

I think the exterior's fine and interior's great. I'm surprised at how toned down it is from the production RX and NX, let alone the UX concept. I mean, this is the first spindle-grille Lexus I'd call almost boring. Need to see it in other colors for final judgement though.

I agree with Krew. It's a mix of CT, IS, and NX.

It looks better than I expected. Let's see the rear now!

It certainly looks bland, even compared to the C-HR. I don't quite understand why Lexus decides to play safe here.

Lexus is playing it waaay too safe with the UX. Don't think it will sell well. Kind of reminds me of mazda.

Most likely the UX will sell well because the price point which obviously will be lower than the NX (which is on fire), it's an SUV and it's a Lexus, people want the badge (brand recognition) and of course the tech/hybrid, not too sure of the performance. Lexus is gonna make a killing with the UX, NX, RX, GX and somewhat of the LX...and in the future LF-1 limitless...

I share the disappointment. After the utterly desirable and unaffordable, (to me) LC, I really expected and hoped for a more 'edgy' styling of the UX.

A year ago we swapped our NX Premier for a C-HR thinking it would give me an insight into how good the UX was going to be. The C-HR has exceeded my expectations in all respects, fuel consumption, chassis, ride quality etc. My hope was to have the C-HR for a couple of years and then step back up to a Lexus.

Based on this image I can't see me paying a premium for something that looks so mediocre. I was really looking forward to the reveal next week at Geneva, I might not even bother to tap in now. Very underwhelmed, sorry Lexus.

isanatori

I apologize if I confused anyone with my wording. I acknowledge this site is not related to Lexus company and I expect nothing particular from any member. It was just a request only. I should did not make the request.

I just assumed from the brightened photo, there are major deviations from the concept and expected something different.

Having seen the chassis of the production version of LC, remaining identical to the concept, I was expecting Lexus to bring the UX design more closely to the concept too.

From the brightened photo, it seems to me, the rear columns were moved outwards (I guess in favour of cabin roominess). Also the rear windshield is less curved.
As a consequence, the rear design changed dramatically. Basic design elements and shapes had to be changed or removed. Having the impressively raised & sculptured sheet metal next to the rear columns removed, the taillight edges twisted and shortened, degenerated lying in the air like horns. This is what I meant.

Having seen the Toyota CHR, I can say that it's silhouete favours style over function, which is a surprising and quite risky decision for a budget car.

I believe Lexus should aim for making a luxury and sensational statement even more radical and futuristic than the budget car Chr. That's my concern and I hope my worries to be proved unreasonable.

There are also people, including myself, like the production teaser much over the concept. I feel the styling was too much in the concept especially for the tail part. It’s simply to many elements that I fail to appreciate completely. So I guess TMC has to balance out the flavors for the entire target audience

spwolf

It wont outsell NX everywhere... NX has cool situation where it sells well EVERYWHERE.

For instance, UX might outsell it in Europe and even in Japan, but then in US it wont get more than 50% of NX sales and likely the same goes for China where they prefer larger vehicles too. Same goes for Russia.

Oh, you know what -- I assumed the NX was the #1 selling crossover for Lexus worldwide, which is pretty silly in retrospect. I take back my comment, and believe worldwide it will be RX, NX, then UX.

So embarrassed. :cold_sweat:

amoschen7

There are also people, including myself, like the production teaser much over the concept. I feel the styling was too much in the concept especially for the tail part. It’s simply to many elements that I fail to appreciate completely. So I guess TMC has to balance out the flavors for the entire target audience

My feelings on the UX are complex, but I can say without a doubt that I like this production model over the concept. Lexus has chosen to be pragmatic with the UX, keeping it fairly close to the other current crossovers instead of pushing the Lexus crossover design forward. The UX will fit alongside the NX & RX -- remember, the RX hasn't even had a mid-cycle refresh yet and the NX update is less than a year old. There's still a lot of life left in these two models, and no real point to have the UX as an outlier with its design.

I echo what others are saying -- after the LS & LC & LF-1, I fully expected the UX to be wild. Even so, I wouldn't call the UX design "safe".

The UX is impressive and beautiful. I am just extremely enthusiastic about the concept.
https://goo.gl/images/Km8Lxo

krew

My feelings on the UX are complex, but I can say without a doubt that I like this production model over the concept. Lexus has chosen to be pragmatic with the UX, keeping it fairly close to the other current crossovers instead of pushing the Lexus crossover design forward. The UX will fit alongside the NX & RX -- remember, the RX hasn't even had a mid-cycle refresh yet and the NX update is less than a year old. There's still a lot of life left in these two models, and no real point to have the UX as an outlier with its design.

I echo what others are saying -- after the LS & LC & LF-1, I fully expected the UX to be wild. Even so, I wouldn't call the UX design "safe".

I hope you have seen full pics when you wrote this :)

I still feel a bit uneasy about exterior design, not sure if there are any negative surprises - i am hoping that shoulder lines and rear is a positive.

But interior... OMG. So far i think it is big step up for affordable Lexus, just like how C-HR has been for Toyota.

am i the only person that likes the front end? :(

Nope. Surprisingly, other than that eyebrow DRL where in nicest terms I would say "not very appealing", but the front fascia is actually quite nice. The spindle is a lot more regal than the RX (where its spindle grille is horrifically comical), and it has cleaner lines than the NX. Still is not a LC/LS job but it is still nice.

So, nice one Lexus. Continue triggering the haters with their blinded comments, Lexus design always needed time for people to warm up to it, and this is no different.

meth.ix

am i the only person that likes the front end? :(

Nope. Surprisingly, other than that eyebrow DRL where in nicest terms I would say "not very appealing", but the front fascia is actually quite nice. The spindle is a lot more regal than the RX (where its spindle grille is horrifically comical), and it has cleaner lines than the NX. Still is not a LC/LS job but it is still nice.

So, nice one Lexus. Continue triggering the haters with their blinded comments, Lexus design always needed time for people to warm up to it, and this is no different

meth.ix

am i the only person that likes the front end? :(

I love the front end. It's not as aggressive as the concept. The grill on the F Sport looks good. I like how the front fender and hood are bulged right a the A pillar. The inner part of the headlight seems elongated. Overall I love it and can't wait to see it in person and drive it...

corradoMR2

I agree with Krew. It's a mix of CT, IS, and NX.

It looks better than I expected. Let's see the rear now!

Me, too. Really want to see the rear. Not to mention more interior shots and engine choices, etc.. Still a week to go.. This 2nd teaser from Lexus is quite effective to keep people interested in what UX offers.