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
spwolf
very detailed spec sheet and pricing for France:
https://www.largus.fr/actualite-automobile/lexus-ux-la-lexus-qui-va-changer-lexus-9355391.html

- 0-100kmh in 8.5s/8.7s (fwd vs e-four)
- Starts at €36k, until €43.5k
- Curb weight 1540kg/1610kg
- Head-up display, 360 camera, sunroof, avs, auto parking all available
Weight is very impressive and about the same as C-HR, despite whatever extras were added to make it a Lexus. Nicely done!
spwolf
very detailed spec sheet and pricing for France:
https://www.largus.fr/actualite-automobile/lexus-ux-la-lexus-qui-va-changer-lexus-9355391.html

- 0-100kmh in 8.5s/8.7s (fwd vs e-four)
- Starts at €36k, until €43.5k
- Curb weight 1540kg/1610kg
- Head-up display, 360 camera, sunroof, avs, auto parking all available
Weight is very impressive and about the same as C-HR, despite whatever extras were added to make it a Lexus. Nicely done!
spwolf
very detailed spec sheet and pricing for France:
https://www.largus.fr/actualite-automobile/lexus-ux-la-lexus-qui-va-changer-lexus-9355391.html

- 0-100kmh in 8.5s/8.7s (fwd vs e-four)
- Starts at €36k, until €43.5k
- Curb weight 1540kg/1610kg
- Head-up display, 360 camera, sunroof, avs, auto parking all available
Weight is very impressive and about the same as C-HR, despite whatever extras were added to make it a Lexus. Nicely done!
Gecko
Weight is very impressive and about the same as C-HR, despite whatever extras were added to make it a Lexus. Nicely done!
i am not so sure, remember euro vs us weight, different counting (dry weight, etc). In any case, it has aluminium doors, front fenders and plastic hatch.

edit: Toyota.fr says 1460 kg for C-HR Hybrid... keep in mind this is likely without full equipment and no e-awd of course.
Gecko
Weight is very impressive and about the same as C-HR, despite whatever extras were added to make it a Lexus. Nicely done!
i am not so sure, remember euro vs us weight, different counting (dry weight, etc). In any case, it has aluminium doors, front fenders and plastic hatch.

edit: Toyota.fr says 1460 kg for C-HR Hybrid... keep in mind this is likely without full equipment and no e-awd of course.
Gecko
Weight is very impressive and about the same as C-HR, despite whatever extras were added to make it a Lexus. Nicely done!
i am not so sure, remember euro vs us weight, different counting (dry weight, etc). In any case, it has aluminium doors, front fenders and plastic hatch.

edit: Toyota.fr says 1460 kg for C-HR Hybrid... keep in mind this is likely without full equipment and no e-awd of course.
With a 70kg weight penalty for the 250h system it will still be hard to justify E-Four on a bigger vehicle like the Highlander/RX.
With a 70kg weight penalty for the 250h system it will still be hard to justify E-Four on a bigger vehicle like the Highlander/RX.
With a 70kg weight penalty for the 250h system it will still be hard to justify E-Four on a bigger vehicle like the Highlander/RX.
ssun30
With a 70kg weight penalty for the 250h system it will still be hard to justify E-Four on a bigger vehicle like the Highlander/RX.
Not if you need snow performance.

For everything else maybe, but gotta drive it first I guess.
ssun30
With a 70kg weight penalty for the 250h system it will still be hard to justify E-Four on a bigger vehicle like the Highlander/RX.
Not if you need snow performance.

For everything else maybe, but gotta drive it first I guess.
ssun30
With a 70kg weight penalty for the 250h system it will still be hard to justify E-Four on a bigger vehicle like the Highlander/RX.
Not if you need snow performance.

For everything else maybe, but gotta drive it first I guess.
^Was referring to the engineering choice on their part. The point is E-Four is still too heavy and complex compared to a regular transverse AWD system at high power ratings.
^Was referring to the engineering choice on their part. The point is E-Four is still too heavy and complex compared to a regular transverse AWD system at high power ratings.
^Was referring to the engineering choice on their part. The point is E-Four is still too heavy and complex compared to a regular transverse AWD system at high power ratings.
ssun30
^Was referring to the engineering choice on their part. The point is E-Four is still too heavy and complex compared to a regular transverse AWD system at high power ratings.
system in UX is same weight as in C-HR 2.0l... both add 70 kg.
ssun30
^Was referring to the engineering choice on their part. The point is E-Four is still too heavy and complex compared to a regular transverse AWD system at high power ratings.
system in UX is same weight as in C-HR 2.0l... both add 70 kg.
ssun30
^Was referring to the engineering choice on their part. The point is E-Four is still too heavy and complex compared to a regular transverse AWD system at high power ratings.
system in UX is same weight as in C-HR 2.0l... both add 70 kg.
L
  • L
  • September 10, 2018
I'm sold on the lexus UX and I'm looking to replace my RX400H with the UX soon.

Noob question. is the UX Hybrid system the same as Lexus RX Hybrid and E-CVT ? As I understand, the UX Hybrid only has 1 battery to drive the rear wheels so the system is quite different to the RX setup which has 3 batteries. Also, being a Hybrid, does the UX runs aircon from the hybrid battery or ICE engine?

Official 0-100km/h is 8.7 secs for the Hybrid. I think this is like 2 secs faster than Prius. C-HR 1.2L Turbo takes 11.0s

80km - 120km/h is 6.5 secs
L
  • L
  • September 10, 2018
I'm sold on the lexus UX and I'm looking to replace my RX400H with the UX soon.

Noob question. is the UX Hybrid system the same as Lexus RX Hybrid and E-CVT ? As I understand, the UX Hybrid only has 1 battery to drive the rear wheels so the system is quite different to the RX setup which has 3 batteries. Also, being a Hybrid, does the UX runs aircon from the hybrid battery or ICE engine?

Official 0-100km/h is 8.7 secs for the Hybrid. I think this is like 2 secs faster than Prius. C-HR 1.2L Turbo takes 11.0s

80km - 120km/h is 6.5 secs
L
  • L
  • September 10, 2018
I'm sold on the lexus UX and I'm looking to replace my RX400H with the UX soon.

Noob question. is the UX Hybrid system the same as Lexus RX Hybrid and E-CVT ? As I understand, the UX Hybrid only has 1 battery to drive the rear wheels so the system is quite different to the RX setup which has 3 batteries. Also, being a Hybrid, does the UX runs aircon from the hybrid battery or ICE engine?

Official 0-100km/h is 8.7 secs for the Hybrid. I think this is like 2 secs faster than Prius. C-HR 1.2L Turbo takes 11.0s

80km - 120km/h is 6.5 secs
Lexii
I'm sold on the lexus UX and I'm looking to replace my RX400H with the UX soon.

Noob question. is the UX Hybrid system the same as Lexus RX Hybrid and E-CVT ? As I understand, the UX Hybrid only has 1 battery to drive the rear wheels so the system is quite different to the RX setup which has 3 batteries. Also, being a Hybrid, does the UX runs aircon from the hybrid battery or ICE engine?

Official 0-100km/h is 8.7 secs for the Hybrid. I think this is like 2 secs faster than Prius. C-HR 1.2L Turbo takes 11.0s

80km - 120km/h is 6.5 secs
it is same concept, smaller engine than RX... so 3 motors (not batteries), with one being at the back.

Also - Prius 80-120kmh is 8.3s-8.5s... so UX is substantially faster.
Lexii
I'm sold on the lexus UX and I'm looking to replace my RX400H with the UX soon.

Noob question. is the UX Hybrid system the same as Lexus RX Hybrid and E-CVT ? As I understand, the UX Hybrid only has 1 battery to drive the rear wheels so the system is quite different to the RX setup which has 3 batteries. Also, being a Hybrid, does the UX runs aircon from the hybrid battery or ICE engine?

Official 0-100km/h is 8.7 secs for the Hybrid. I think this is like 2 secs faster than Prius. C-HR 1.2L Turbo takes 11.0s

80km - 120km/h is 6.5 secs
it is same concept, smaller engine than RX... so 3 motors (not batteries), with one being at the back.

Also - Prius 80-120kmh is 8.3s-8.5s... so UX is substantially faster.
Lexii
I'm sold on the lexus UX and I'm looking to replace my RX400H with the UX soon.

Noob question. is the UX Hybrid system the same as Lexus RX Hybrid and E-CVT ? As I understand, the UX Hybrid only has 1 battery to drive the rear wheels so the system is quite different to the RX setup which has 3 batteries. Also, being a Hybrid, does the UX runs aircon from the hybrid battery or ICE engine?

Official 0-100km/h is 8.7 secs for the Hybrid. I think this is like 2 secs faster than Prius. C-HR 1.2L Turbo takes 11.0s

80km - 120km/h is 6.5 secs
it is same concept, smaller engine than RX... so 3 motors (not batteries), with one being at the back.

Also - Prius 80-120kmh is 8.3s-8.5s... so UX is substantially faster.
L
  • L
  • September 10, 2018
spwolf
it is same concept, smaller engine than RX... so 3 motors (not batteries), with one being at the back.

Also - Prius 80-120kmh is 8.3s-8.5s... so UX is substantially faster.
Thanks for confirming. I'm so used to the serenity of zero vibration while my RX400H is stationary that I can't see myself going back to the conventional engine. I can live with the UX if it can do 0-100km/h in under 9 secs. 8.7s to 100km/hr is quite decent for a 2.0L Hybrid.
L
  • L
  • September 10, 2018
spwolf
it is same concept, smaller engine than RX... so 3 motors (not batteries), with one being at the back.

Also - Prius 80-120kmh is 8.3s-8.5s... so UX is substantially faster.
Thanks for confirming. I'm so used to the serenity of zero vibration while my RX400H is stationary that I can't see myself going back to the conventional engine. I can live with the UX if it can do 0-100km/h in under 9 secs. 8.7s to 100km/hr is quite decent for a 2.0L Hybrid.
L
  • L
  • September 10, 2018
spwolf
it is same concept, smaller engine than RX... so 3 motors (not batteries), with one being at the back.

Also - Prius 80-120kmh is 8.3s-8.5s... so UX is substantially faster.
Thanks for confirming. I'm so used to the serenity of zero vibration while my RX400H is stationary that I can't see myself going back to the conventional engine. I can live with the UX if it can do 0-100km/h in under 9 secs. 8.7s to 100km/hr is quite decent for a 2.0L Hybrid.
Decent handling says C/D

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2019-lexus-ux-crossover-first-drive

If the UX is a commuter car under its wild skin, it's a good car to drive. We continue to be impressed with the dynamic qualities of Toyota models that ride on the brand's TNGA family of platforms, and the UX's chassis boasts progressive-feeling steering, nicely tuned damping, and a satisfying sense of quiet refinement.
Decent handling says C/D

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2019-lexus-ux-crossover-first-drive

If the UX is a commuter car under its wild skin, it's a good car to drive. We continue to be impressed with the dynamic qualities of Toyota models that ride on the brand's TNGA family of platforms, and the UX's chassis boasts progressive-feeling steering, nicely tuned damping, and a satisfying sense of quiet refinement.
Decent handling says C/D

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2019-lexus-ux-crossover-first-drive

If the UX is a commuter car under its wild skin, it's a good car to drive. We continue to be impressed with the dynamic qualities of Toyota models that ride on the brand's TNGA family of platforms, and the UX's chassis boasts progressive-feeling steering, nicely tuned damping, and a satisfying sense of quiet refinement.

I