Video: Quick Tour of the Lexus UX Subcompact Crossover

Posted by Kevin on June 20th, 2018

With such a long wait between reveal and availability, the new Lexus UX subcompact crossover is not exactly top of mind. This makes Lexus Canada’s refresher video a nice reminder of what’s yet to come:

(The new ES had yet to be announced when the UX was revealed, and the similarities between the interiors are pronounced. Have to think this is Lexus locking down a common cabin design for models below the flagship level.)

Lexus UX: First Generation
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Comments
C
Looks good. Overall I like it and I may want to get one. We'll see what the wife says though if she wants to give up her '17 RX F SPort! :D

However, one gripe I have with Lexus still with most their cars is they are underpowered. 168 hp or 176 hp (hybrid) does not cut it today when competition has turbo fours pumping out 250+ hp (Volvo XC40, Jag E-Pace, to name a couple.)
C
Looks good. Overall I like it and I may want to get one. We'll see what the wife says though if she wants to give up her '17 RX F SPort! :D

However, one gripe I have with Lexus still with most their cars is they are underpowered. 168 hp or 176 hp (hybrid) does not cut it today when competition has turbo fours pumping out 250+ hp (Volvo XC40, Jag E-Pace, to name a couple.)
C
Looks good. Overall I like it and I may want to get one. We'll see what the wife says though if she wants to give up her '17 RX F SPort! :D

However, one gripe I have with Lexus still with most their cars is they are underpowered. 168 hp or 176 hp (hybrid) does not cut it today when competition has turbo fours pumping out 250+ hp (Volvo XC40, Jag E-Pace, to name a couple.)
S
OK now the looks make much more sense.
S
OK now the looks make much more sense.
S
OK now the looks make much more sense.
S
corradoMR2
Looks good. Overall I like it and I may want to get one. We'll see what the wife says though if she wants to give up her '17 RX F SPort! :D

However, one gripe I have with Lexus still with most their cars is they are underpowered. 168 hp or 176 hp (hybrid) does not cut it today when competition has turbo fours pumping out 250+ hp (Volvo XC40, Jag E-Pace, to name a couple.)
While US is not UX's major market and despite the fact that there will be a 206hp UX250 for the US. It is very true that the UX will not be convincing enough when the XC40 starts with 248hp and AWD.
S
corradoMR2
Looks good. Overall I like it and I may want to get one. We'll see what the wife says though if she wants to give up her '17 RX F SPort! :D

However, one gripe I have with Lexus still with most their cars is they are underpowered. 168 hp or 176 hp (hybrid) does not cut it today when competition has turbo fours pumping out 250+ hp (Volvo XC40, Jag E-Pace, to name a couple.)
While US is not UX's major market and despite the fact that there will be a 206hp UX250 for the US. It is very true that the UX will not be convincing enough when the XC40 starts with 248hp and AWD.
S
corradoMR2
Looks good. Overall I like it and I may want to get one. We'll see what the wife says though if she wants to give up her '17 RX F SPort! :D

However, one gripe I have with Lexus still with most their cars is they are underpowered. 168 hp or 176 hp (hybrid) does not cut it today when competition has turbo fours pumping out 250+ hp (Volvo XC40, Jag E-Pace, to name a couple.)
While US is not UX's major market and despite the fact that there will be a 206hp UX250 for the US. It is very true that the UX will not be convincing enough when the XC40 starts with 248hp and AWD.
Gecko
ssun30
While US is not UX's major market and despite the fact that there will be a 206hp UX250 for the US. It is very true that the UX will not be convincing enough when the XC40 starts with 248hp and AWD.
Are we sure there will actually be a UX 250? The press release says:

"The UX 200 and UX 250h will start production this fall and go on sale in the U.S. in December. Pricing will be announced closer to the on-sale date."
Gecko
ssun30
While US is not UX's major market and despite the fact that there will be a 206hp UX250 for the US. It is very true that the UX will not be convincing enough when the XC40 starts with 248hp and AWD.
Are we sure there will actually be a UX 250? The press release says:

"The UX 200 and UX 250h will start production this fall and go on sale in the U.S. in December. Pricing will be announced closer to the on-sale date."
Gecko
ssun30
While US is not UX's major market and despite the fact that there will be a 206hp UX250 for the US. It is very true that the UX will not be convincing enough when the XC40 starts with 248hp and AWD.
Are we sure there will actually be a UX 250? The press release says:

"The UX 200 and UX 250h will start production this fall and go on sale in the U.S. in December. Pricing will be announced closer to the on-sale date."
S
Gecko
Are we sure there will actually be a UX 250?
Maybe I should use 'despite the fact' less then...it will suck if there isn't one.
S
Gecko
Are we sure there will actually be a UX 250?
Maybe I should use 'despite the fact' less then...it will suck if there isn't one.
S
Gecko
Are we sure there will actually be a UX 250?
Maybe I should use 'despite the fact' less then...it will suck if there isn't one.
M
Don't want to steal the thread but CT replacement has debuted as new Toyota Auris as well, all together with UX hybrid powertrain. Can you imagine UX interior with this exterior? Surfaces and lights look more premium than UX. I don't want to spam with pictures but the back of it look like evolved CT

M
Don't want to steal the thread but CT replacement has debuted as new Toyota Auris as well, all together with UX hybrid powertrain. Can you imagine UX interior with this exterior? Surfaces and lights look more premium than UX. I don't want to spam with pictures but the back of it look like evolved CT

M
Don't want to steal the thread but CT replacement has debuted as new Toyota Auris as well, all together with UX hybrid powertrain. Can you imagine UX interior with this exterior? Surfaces and lights look more premium than UX. I don't want to spam with pictures but the back of it look like evolved CT

I
Could this be the first Lexus to be fully electrified? Early 2020's is what Toyota says and this is the only Lexus (at least at the moment) on the new platform.
I
Could this be the first Lexus to be fully electrified? Early 2020's is what Toyota says and this is the only Lexus (at least at the moment) on the new platform.
I
Could this be the first Lexus to be fully electrified? Early 2020's is what Toyota says and this is the only Lexus (at least at the moment) on the new platform.
Gecko
A few things I like:
  • The non-F Sport model is definitely nicer looking than the F Sport model, IMO. I like the normal mesh grille pattern a lot more.
  • The sashiko leather treatment is absolutely gorgeous - I hope this moves to many other models quickly.
  • Similarly, the washi trim also looks really unique and beautiful. I'm loving these traditional Japanese influences... finally!
  • Overall, the interior looks top-rate for the class.
  • Are the triple LED projectors standard? If so, that's also impressive for this class.
  • There is a lot of tech packed into this thing: eFour AWD, new CVTs, new engines, Predictive Efficient Drive, etc
  • I was worried about the unibrow tail lights but they actually look really nice

A few things I don't like:
  • When is this horrendous front overhang issue going to stop? With a strong tailwind from the rear, it looks like this UX could tip forward. Awful. Awful, awful. I don't know if it's FWD or the packaging around the spindle grille or both, but it really is TERRIBLE.
  • The overall design. Why does it just look like a lifted hatchback? I feel like Lexus could and should have done more to make it look like a proper SUV - more upright at the front, a straighter, more upright roofline and ditch the fastback rear end. As much as shoppers are caught up in the CUV craze, what we know is that they like SUV-looking vehicles that drive like cars. The Toyota FT-4X and forthcoming Mercedes GLB are going to be immensely popular for this reason. I'd have preferred something that looked less like a lowered Nissan Juke and more like a mini SUV.
  • Anemic engines. 168hp base and 176hp hybrid is just not enough for North American luxury buyers. C-HR is already 3,300lbs... what is this going to be? 3,600lb? 3,700lb? Probably so. That is too much weight to be powered by a 168hp 4cyl. They need a small 2.0T or the A25A-FTS under the hood and the press release makes no mention of UX 250.
Overall:

This is probably a 5/10 for me. For where Lexus is at now with LS 500, LC 500, LF-1, I completely understand that this UX is at the rock bottom of the portfolio, but it doesn't have to look like it. The design looks dated, plain and too cheap for a Lexus - like a Nissan Juke with a spindle grille. With the success of the NX and RX, they should have done more to tie the design to those two instead of making it look so much like a Toyota hatchback. The weak engines are really disappointing also.

While certainly flawed, I feel confident saying the X1 or XC40 would be my choices over the UX. Much stronger engine options and it looks like a small X5/XC90 (read: PREMIUM) instead of a mainstream hatchback. Same can be said for the E-Pace. New Q3 is around the corner as well.

Lexus seems to be engineering vehicles in a vacuum without much regard for the competition, lately (LS, UX). Not a good strategy.
Gecko
A few things I like:
  • The non-F Sport model is definitely nicer looking than the F Sport model, IMO. I like the normal mesh grille pattern a lot more.
  • The sashiko leather treatment is absolutely gorgeous - I hope this moves to many other models quickly.
  • Similarly, the washi trim also looks really unique and beautiful. I'm loving these traditional Japanese influences... finally!
  • Overall, the interior looks top-rate for the class.
  • Are the triple LED projectors standard? If so, that's also impressive for this class.
  • There is a lot of tech packed into this thing: eFour AWD, new CVTs, new engines, Predictive Efficient Drive, etc
  • I was worried about the unibrow tail lights but they actually look really nice

A few things I don't like:
  • When is this horrendous front overhang issue going to stop? With a strong tailwind from the rear, it looks like this UX could tip forward. Awful. Awful, awful. I don't know if it's FWD or the packaging around the spindle grille or both, but it really is TERRIBLE.
  • The overall design. Why does it just look like a lifted hatchback? I feel like Lexus could and should have done more to make it look like a proper SUV - more upright at the front, a straighter, more upright roofline and ditch the fastback rear end. As much as shoppers are caught up in the CUV craze, what we know is that they like SUV-looking vehicles that drive like cars. The Toyota FT-4X and forthcoming Mercedes GLB are going to be immensely popular for this reason. I'd have preferred something that looked less like a lowered Nissan Juke and more like a mini SUV.
  • Anemic engines. 168hp base and 176hp hybrid is just not enough for North American luxury buyers. C-HR is already 3,300lbs... what is this going to be? 3,600lb? 3,700lb? Probably so. That is too much weight to be powered by a 168hp 4cyl. They need a small 2.0T or the A25A-FTS under the hood and the press release makes no mention of UX 250.
Overall:

This is probably a 5/10 for me. For where Lexus is at now with LS 500, LC 500, LF-1, I completely understand that this UX is at the rock bottom of the portfolio, but it doesn't have to look like it. The design looks dated, plain and too cheap for a Lexus - like a Nissan Juke with a spindle grille. With the success of the NX and RX, they should have done more to tie the design to those two instead of making it look so much like a Toyota hatchback. The weak engines are really disappointing also.

While certainly flawed, I feel confident saying the X1 or XC40 would be my choices over the UX. Much stronger engine options and it looks like a small X5/XC90 (read: PREMIUM) instead of a mainstream hatchback. Same can be said for the E-Pace. New Q3 is around the corner as well.

Lexus seems to be engineering vehicles in a vacuum without much regard for the competition, lately (LS, UX). Not a good strategy.
Gecko
A few things I like:
  • The non-F Sport model is definitely nicer looking than the F Sport model, IMO. I like the normal mesh grille pattern a lot more.
  • The sashiko leather treatment is absolutely gorgeous - I hope this moves to many other models quickly.
  • Similarly, the washi trim also looks really unique and beautiful. I'm loving these traditional Japanese influences... finally!
  • Overall, the interior looks top-rate for the class.
  • Are the triple LED projectors standard? If so, that's also impressive for this class.
  • There is a lot of tech packed into this thing: eFour AWD, new CVTs, new engines, Predictive Efficient Drive, etc
  • I was worried about the unibrow tail lights but they actually look really nice

A few things I don't like:
  • When is this horrendous front overhang issue going to stop? With a strong tailwind from the rear, it looks like this UX could tip forward. Awful. Awful, awful. I don't know if it's FWD or the packaging around the spindle grille or both, but it really is TERRIBLE.
  • The overall design. Why does it just look like a lifted hatchback? I feel like Lexus could and should have done more to make it look like a proper SUV - more upright at the front, a straighter, more upright roofline and ditch the fastback rear end. As much as shoppers are caught up in the CUV craze, what we know is that they like SUV-looking vehicles that drive like cars. The Toyota FT-4X and forthcoming Mercedes GLB are going to be immensely popular for this reason. I'd have preferred something that looked less like a lowered Nissan Juke and more like a mini SUV.
  • Anemic engines. 168hp base and 176hp hybrid is just not enough for North American luxury buyers. C-HR is already 3,300lbs... what is this going to be? 3,600lb? 3,700lb? Probably so. That is too much weight to be powered by a 168hp 4cyl. They need a small 2.0T or the A25A-FTS under the hood and the press release makes no mention of UX 250.
Overall:

This is probably a 5/10 for me. For where Lexus is at now with LS 500, LC 500, LF-1, I completely understand that this UX is at the rock bottom of the portfolio, but it doesn't have to look like it. The design looks dated, plain and too cheap for a Lexus - like a Nissan Juke with a spindle grille. With the success of the NX and RX, they should have done more to tie the design to those two instead of making it look so much like a Toyota hatchback. The weak engines are really disappointing also.

While certainly flawed, I feel confident saying the X1 or XC40 would be my choices over the UX. Much stronger engine options and it looks like a small X5/XC90 (read: PREMIUM) instead of a mainstream hatchback. Same can be said for the E-Pace. New Q3 is around the corner as well.

Lexus seems to be engineering vehicles in a vacuum without much regard for the competition, lately (LS, UX). Not a good strategy.
A
Still the CHR looks better. This NX is trying toot hard
A
Still the CHR looks better. This NX is trying toot hard
A
Still the CHR looks better. This NX is trying toot hard
Gecko
For comparison:











How could you ever purchase UX over either of these two - especially the Volvo? I couldn't.
Gecko
For comparison:











How could you ever purchase UX over either of these two - especially the Volvo? I couldn't.
Gecko
For comparison:











How could you ever purchase UX over either of these two - especially the Volvo? I couldn't.

G