Giant Cartoon Robots & Japanese Porches Inspired the Lexus UX Crossover Design


With every Lexus model, there are specific ideas and themes that help to shape the overall design. For the new UX crossover, two very different concepts influenced its appearance: an anime robot from the 1980s, and a Japanese-style house verdana called Engawa.

The cartoon robot Mazinger Z was a warning sign in the early design stages of the UX, as chief engineer Chika Kako did not want the crossover to resemble the anime legend — from Cool Hunting:

When Chika Kako, the first woman chief engineer at Lexus, saw designs for the brand’s all-new UX subcompact crossover, she thought of childhood days spent watching anime cartoons with her brother. The SUV’s rear lights reminded her of Mazinger Z, a hulking manga robot on the small screen in the late 70’s and early 80’s. It was a good look for an animated character, she thought, but not on the latest addition to the Lexus line-up.

“The original shape was really unnatural-looking,” Kako tells us via a translator at the vehicle’s global launch in Stockholm earlier this month. Once she told the all-male design team to soften the aggressive exterior, they got the message. “Simply by mentioning Mazinger, they understood what I meant.”

Engawa is essentially a porch that surrounds Japanese homes, extending the living space out into the world — from the Robb Report:

Because of the vehicle’s small size, [chief designer] Suga and Kako wanted to give the interior a greater sense of space. To achieve this, they drew inspiration from Japanese architecture. “We have this concept where you use the outside space as a continuation of your environment,” Suga says.

“Japanese houses are very small, but they have large windows, so the mountains and trees and nature outside are like a picture, an extension of your living space.” Kako adds, “One thing I asked for right away was this line that goes from the dashboard and continues to the outside of the fenders,” she says. The result was not only a sense of openness but also a commanding view of the road, despite the vehicle’s relatively low seating position and center of gravity (no top-heaviness here).

Lexus UX: First Generation
Comments
Gecko
Funny how so many years later, the CT is still exponentially better looking. UX is a real "miss" in my book... hopefully they do better in the future.
dunno, CT today looks stale and boring. And it is still expensive.

C-HR looks like a space ship next to it, that is why it is selling like crazy.
Gecko
Funny how so many years later, the CT is still exponentially better looking. UX is a real "miss" in my book... hopefully they do better in the future.
dunno, CT today looks stale and boring. And it is still expensive.

C-HR looks like a space ship next to it, that is why it is selling like crazy.
Gecko
Funny how so many years later, the CT is still exponentially better looking. UX is a real "miss" in my book... hopefully they do better in the future.
dunno, CT today looks stale and boring. And it is still expensive.

C-HR looks like a space ship next to it, that is why it is selling like crazy.
spwolf
dunno, CT today looks stale and boring. And it is still expensive.

C-HR looks like a space ship next to it, that is why it is selling like crazy.
Completely correct, only, the UX is not a C-HR.
spwolf
dunno, CT today looks stale and boring. And it is still expensive.

C-HR looks like a space ship next to it, that is why it is selling like crazy.
Completely correct, only, the UX is not a C-HR.
spwolf
dunno, CT today looks stale and boring. And it is still expensive.

C-HR looks like a space ship next to it, that is why it is selling like crazy.
Completely correct, only, the UX is not a C-HR.
corradoMR2
Agree, however the silver lining is that bigger wheels and a drop can fix this, though then it starts to look more like a hot hatch and less so a crossover.

[​IMG]
When we worked on the UX above the stock wheels are very tiny and not very wide. I was shocked we got to fit a 20x8.5 front and 20x10 rear on it with no issues (the wheels are Vossen FS-1 in gloss black). Tons of room. As the norm, anything lowered with larger good looking wheels improves the looks.

I have to disagree with MP here, while I am not very excited about the UX, I do feel the styling was nailed. When I inspected it I was shocked to come away with the feeling it didn't look cheap. I always felt the CT had some cues that just didn't speak premium, especially compared to its amazing looking concept.

Overall I just would love to see an AMG 45 fighter as a dark horse. We all know the UX 250 and 250h will sell with no issues.
corradoMR2
Agree, however the silver lining is that bigger wheels and a drop can fix this, though then it starts to look more like a hot hatch and less so a crossover.

[​IMG]
When we worked on the UX above the stock wheels are very tiny and not very wide. I was shocked we got to fit a 20x8.5 front and 20x10 rear on it with no issues (the wheels are Vossen FS-1 in gloss black). Tons of room. As the norm, anything lowered with larger good looking wheels improves the looks.

I have to disagree with MP here, while I am not very excited about the UX, I do feel the styling was nailed. When I inspected it I was shocked to come away with the feeling it didn't look cheap. I always felt the CT had some cues that just didn't speak premium, especially compared to its amazing looking concept.

Overall I just would love to see an AMG 45 fighter as a dark horse. We all know the UX 250 and 250h will sell with no issues.
corradoMR2
Agree, however the silver lining is that bigger wheels and a drop can fix this, though then it starts to look more like a hot hatch and less so a crossover.

[​IMG]
When we worked on the UX above the stock wheels are very tiny and not very wide. I was shocked we got to fit a 20x8.5 front and 20x10 rear on it with no issues (the wheels are Vossen FS-1 in gloss black). Tons of room. As the norm, anything lowered with larger good looking wheels improves the looks.

I have to disagree with MP here, while I am not very excited about the UX, I do feel the styling was nailed. When I inspected it I was shocked to come away with the feeling it didn't look cheap. I always felt the CT had some cues that just didn't speak premium, especially compared to its amazing looking concept.

Overall I just would love to see an AMG 45 fighter as a dark horse. We all know the UX 250 and 250h will sell with no issues.
T
I'm still somewhat interested in the UX. I have my concerns about the power/weight ratio on it, however. It would be nice if Lexus would offer it with the 2.5L hybrid system :grinning:.
mikeavelli
When we worked on the UX above the stock wheels are very tiny and not very wide. I was shocked we got to fit a 20x8.5 front and 20x10 rear on it with no issues (the wheels are Vossen FS-1 in gloss black). Tons of room. As the norm, anything lowered with larger good looking wheels improves the looks.

I have to disagree with MP here, while I am not very excited about the UX, I do feel the styling was nailed. When I inspected it I was shocked to come away with the feeling it didn't look cheap. I always felt the CT had some cues that just didn't speak premium, especially compared to its amazing looking concept.

Overall I just would love to see an AMG 45 fighter as a dark horse. We all know the UX 250 and 250h will sell with no issues.
I test drove the CT200H. It certainly didn't feel premium going up a bridge. All you could hear was engine noise. While the UX is probably not anemic, I really wish Lexus was offering an optional, higher power engine in the realm of 250hp. That could be quite fun.
T
I'm still somewhat interested in the UX. I have my concerns about the power/weight ratio on it, however. It would be nice if Lexus would offer it with the 2.5L hybrid system :grinning:.
mikeavelli
When we worked on the UX above the stock wheels are very tiny and not very wide. I was shocked we got to fit a 20x8.5 front and 20x10 rear on it with no issues (the wheels are Vossen FS-1 in gloss black). Tons of room. As the norm, anything lowered with larger good looking wheels improves the looks.

I have to disagree with MP here, while I am not very excited about the UX, I do feel the styling was nailed. When I inspected it I was shocked to come away with the feeling it didn't look cheap. I always felt the CT had some cues that just didn't speak premium, especially compared to its amazing looking concept.

Overall I just would love to see an AMG 45 fighter as a dark horse. We all know the UX 250 and 250h will sell with no issues.
I test drove the CT200H. It certainly didn't feel premium going up a bridge. All you could hear was engine noise. While the UX is probably not anemic, I really wish Lexus was offering an optional, higher power engine in the realm of 250hp. That could be quite fun.
T
I'm still somewhat interested in the UX. I have my concerns about the power/weight ratio on it, however. It would be nice if Lexus would offer it with the 2.5L hybrid system :grinning:.
mikeavelli
When we worked on the UX above the stock wheels are very tiny and not very wide. I was shocked we got to fit a 20x8.5 front and 20x10 rear on it with no issues (the wheels are Vossen FS-1 in gloss black). Tons of room. As the norm, anything lowered with larger good looking wheels improves the looks.

I have to disagree with MP here, while I am not very excited about the UX, I do feel the styling was nailed. When I inspected it I was shocked to come away with the feeling it didn't look cheap. I always felt the CT had some cues that just didn't speak premium, especially compared to its amazing looking concept.

Overall I just would love to see an AMG 45 fighter as a dark horse. We all know the UX 250 and 250h will sell with no issues.
I test drove the CT200H. It certainly didn't feel premium going up a bridge. All you could hear was engine noise. While the UX is probably not anemic, I really wish Lexus was offering an optional, higher power engine in the realm of 250hp. That could be quite fun.
spwolf
dunno, CT today looks stale and boring. And it is still expensive.

C-HR looks like a space ship next to it, that is why it is selling like crazy.
As a Lexus Europian Enthusiast and proud owner of a Lexus I am telling that the UX will be the biggest failure in the history of Lexus. A missed opportunity for the company to see the future.

And C-HR is selling like crazy because people who can't afford a more expensive car to stand out in the crowd are choosing a more distinct (but less classic/timeless) design that will be outdated in the next couple of years... as usual! Lexus owners are not (in any way) among them...
spwolf
dunno, CT today looks stale and boring. And it is still expensive.

C-HR looks like a space ship next to it, that is why it is selling like crazy.
As a Lexus Europian Enthusiast and proud owner of a Lexus I am telling that the UX will be the biggest failure in the history of Lexus. A missed opportunity for the company to see the future.

And C-HR is selling like crazy because people who can't afford a more expensive car to stand out in the crowd are choosing a more distinct (but less classic/timeless) design that will be outdated in the next couple of years... as usual! Lexus owners are not (in any way) among them...
spwolf
dunno, CT today looks stale and boring. And it is still expensive.

C-HR looks like a space ship next to it, that is why it is selling like crazy.
As a Lexus Europian Enthusiast and proud owner of a Lexus I am telling that the UX will be the biggest failure in the history of Lexus. A missed opportunity for the company to see the future.

And C-HR is selling like crazy because people who can't afford a more expensive car to stand out in the crowd are choosing a more distinct (but less classic/timeless) design that will be outdated in the next couple of years... as usual! Lexus owners are not (in any way) among them...
ct200e
As a Lexus Europian Enthusiast and proud owner of a Lexus I am telling that the UX will be the biggest failure in the history of Lexus. A missed opportunity for the company to see the future.

And C-HR is selling like crazy because people who can't afford a more expensive car to stand out in the crowd are choosing a more distinct (but less classic/timeless) design that will be outdated in the next couple of years... as usual! Lexus owners are not (in any way) among them...
that is certainly your opinion, which is fine... but to me CT looks old now, C-HR still looks fresh.
ct200e
As a Lexus Europian Enthusiast and proud owner of a Lexus I am telling that the UX will be the biggest failure in the history of Lexus. A missed opportunity for the company to see the future.

And C-HR is selling like crazy because people who can't afford a more expensive car to stand out in the crowd are choosing a more distinct (but less classic/timeless) design that will be outdated in the next couple of years... as usual! Lexus owners are not (in any way) among them...
that is certainly your opinion, which is fine... but to me CT looks old now, C-HR still looks fresh.
ct200e
As a Lexus Europian Enthusiast and proud owner of a Lexus I am telling that the UX will be the biggest failure in the history of Lexus. A missed opportunity for the company to see the future.

And C-HR is selling like crazy because people who can't afford a more expensive car to stand out in the crowd are choosing a more distinct (but less classic/timeless) design that will be outdated in the next couple of years... as usual! Lexus owners are not (in any way) among them...
that is certainly your opinion, which is fine... but to me CT looks old now, C-HR still looks fresh.
mikeavelli
I have to disagree with MP here, while I am not very excited about the UX, I do feel the styling was nailed. When I inspected it I was shocked to come away with the feeling it didn't look cheap. I always felt the CT had some cues that just didn't speak premium, especially compared to its amazing looking concept.

Overall I just would love to see an AMG 45 fighter as a dark horse. We all know the UX 250 and 250h will sell with no issues.
cool... thanks for the info. As to the F, there were rumors in Japanese mags about 1.6l (3cly?) turbo with 240hp for 2019.
mikeavelli
I have to disagree with MP here, while I am not very excited about the UX, I do feel the styling was nailed. When I inspected it I was shocked to come away with the feeling it didn't look cheap. I always felt the CT had some cues that just didn't speak premium, especially compared to its amazing looking concept.

Overall I just would love to see an AMG 45 fighter as a dark horse. We all know the UX 250 and 250h will sell with no issues.
cool... thanks for the info. As to the F, there were rumors in Japanese mags about 1.6l (3cly?) turbo with 240hp for 2019.
mikeavelli
I have to disagree with MP here, while I am not very excited about the UX, I do feel the styling was nailed. When I inspected it I was shocked to come away with the feeling it didn't look cheap. I always felt the CT had some cues that just didn't speak premium, especially compared to its amazing looking concept.

Overall I just would love to see an AMG 45 fighter as a dark horse. We all know the UX 250 and 250h will sell with no issues.
cool... thanks for the info. As to the F, there were rumors in Japanese mags about 1.6l (3cly?) turbo with 240hp for 2019.
S
  • S
    S10
  • August 29, 2018
ct200e
As a Lexus Europian Enthusiast and proud owner of a Lexus I am telling that the UX will be the biggest failure in the history of Lexus. A missed opportunity for the company to see the future.
Thats a bold prediction, and most likely wrong. This segment is the biggest growing one at the moment, and I think, and so does Lexus, that this could well become the best selling Lexus ever.
S
  • S
    S10
  • August 29, 2018
ct200e
As a Lexus Europian Enthusiast and proud owner of a Lexus I am telling that the UX will be the biggest failure in the history of Lexus. A missed opportunity for the company to see the future.
Thats a bold prediction, and most likely wrong. This segment is the biggest growing one at the moment, and I think, and so does Lexus, that this could well become the best selling Lexus ever.
S
  • S
    S10
  • August 29, 2018
ct200e
As a Lexus Europian Enthusiast and proud owner of a Lexus I am telling that the UX will be the biggest failure in the history of Lexus. A missed opportunity for the company to see the future.
Thats a bold prediction, and most likely wrong. This segment is the biggest growing one at the moment, and I think, and so does Lexus, that this could well become the best selling Lexus ever.
S10
Thats a bold prediction, and most likely wrong. This segment is the biggest growing one at the moment, and I think, and so does Lexus, that this could well become the best selling Lexus ever.
i doubt it will become best selling, because it is going to have lower sales in USA due to the nature/size of it.... but good selling, yes.
S10
Thats a bold prediction, and most likely wrong. This segment is the biggest growing one at the moment, and I think, and so does Lexus, that this could well become the best selling Lexus ever.
i doubt it will become best selling, because it is going to have lower sales in USA due to the nature/size of it.... but good selling, yes.
S10
Thats a bold prediction, and most likely wrong. This segment is the biggest growing one at the moment, and I think, and so does Lexus, that this could well become the best selling Lexus ever.
i doubt it will become best selling, because it is going to have lower sales in USA due to the nature/size of it.... but good selling, yes.
  • Joe
    Joe
  • August 30, 2018
To be added to the nice photoshoots that Krew already posted here, there are still a lot more pictures with other exterior colors to be found on the European press newsroom:
https://newsroom.lexus.eu/media-library/
For those who can't wait until Krew launches another extensive picture gallery, check out for yourselves :D







  • Joe
    Joe
  • August 30, 2018
To be added to the nice photoshoots that Krew already posted here, there are still a lot more pictures with other exterior colors to be found on the European press newsroom:
https://newsroom.lexus.eu/media-library/
For those who can't wait until Krew launches another extensive picture gallery, check out for yourselves :D







  • Joe
    Joe
  • August 30, 2018
To be added to the nice photoshoots that Krew already posted here, there are still a lot more pictures with other exterior colors to be found on the European press newsroom:
https://newsroom.lexus.eu/media-library/
For those who can't wait until Krew launches another extensive picture gallery, check out for yourselves :D







J