Lexus UX (UX 200, UX 300h, 300e) Megathread

[mikeavelli]

Without seeing it in person yet I like it a bit and it is exactly as I thought it would be, an honest looking car with the spindle grill. At this price one I don't expect amazing styling though I admit the CH-R is a knock-out for its price.

They are going to sell every last one. Also note a white show car isn't the best color and will seem bland compared to a more vibrant color like the LF-1.

 

[mikeavelli]

UK LIve Stream was good. I'm up so until KREW posts the good stuff here is some links.

http://pressroom.lexus.com/releases/all+new+lexus+ux+crossover+makes+world+debut+geneva.htm

4:20am here lol...

Car looks much better in professional photos. I am beginning to think those initial images are computer renderings/complete photoshops.

The UV also looked much better live. Very well done.
http://pressroom.lexus.com/album_display.cfm?album_id=1283&section_id=421

Killer photos there..
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[krew]

Introducing the Lexus UX 200 & Lexus UX 250h

Revealed today at Geneva.

View the original article post

 

[Levi]

It is ok from a product/sales perspective. Interior is really nice, especially compared to other cars, even premium, in this class.

 

[zeusus]

F Sport will sell like hot cakes!

Going on sale in the US in December, seems like its Lexus' strategy to pad up their 2018 sales reports.

 

[krew]

Photo Gallery: The Lexus UX Subcompact Crossover

60 official photos released.

View the original article post

 

[Brooks2IS]

Would love to see a closer look of the center console near the Remote Touch interface--Integrating radio controls into the hand rest is an interesting idea.

 

[Ian Schmidt]

It's actually kind of cute, in a "honey, I shrunk the RX" kei car sort of way. That interior is phenomenal for the class - it's better than the NX, IMO.

 

[J Le]

Love the looks and interior But why a 2.0 non turbo combined with a turbo, it is definitly going to be under powered compared to the GLA or Q3.

 

[Ian Schmidt]

Car looks much better in professional photos. I am beginning to think those initial images are computer renderings/complete photoshops.

Agreed, I like it better in these new photos than I did in the teasers. As I said, it's actually a genuine cute-ute.

 

[ssun30]

Predictive Efficient Drive
Some hybrid drivers enjoy using “hypermiling” techniques to maximize fuel efficiency. The Lexus UX 250h introduces new technologies that take hypermiling to new heights. The UX 250h debuts Predictive Efficient Drive, a Lexus-first system that analyzes driving habits and the expected road and traffic conditions to optimize charging and discharging of the hybrid battery. The more the UX 250h is driven, the more data is gathered to help optimize fuel consumption. (The system can be turned off if desired.)

Predictive Deceleration Support technology uses accumulated knowledge about a driver’s behavior to predict when and where the vehicle is likely to slow down or stop. For example, when the UX approaches a location where the driver has slowed or stopped in the past, and the driver releases the accelerator pedal, Predictive Deceleration Support increases regenerative braking, allowing more efficient energy recovery and recharging of the hybrid battery. The system can provide deceleration support up to about 1,000 feet ahead of the vehicle.

Predictive State of Charge (SOC) control for the hybrid battery is a world-first technology that functions on both downhill roads and in congested traffic. Operating when the UX is following guidance from the navigation system, it will predict the route for a distance of up to about six miles (10km) ahead.

This is something that I wanted to post on the forum but never found an appropriate opportunity for it. The next big thing in vehicle efficiency is Predictive Hybrid System Control. I expected TMC to debut such technology on the next-gen Prius, but it seems they are putting a Beta version right now. The Predictive Regenerative Braking thing is already a feature on the Prius Prime. Looks like the UX takes it a step further.

In an ideal world, a highly intelligent hybrid system can predict how much energy it will take to complete a certain route. It will then divide that energy by the optimal power at which the ICE is the most efficient, and only operate the ICE at that point. Whenever there is a power overflow or deficiency, the battery will balance the power budget by regeneration or boost. Such a hybrid system will be completely neutral to driving style, so any driver can get close to hypermiler MPGs. As a hybrid hypermiler myself, I commit a considerable amount of my attention span during driving on managing regen and boost. A computer that will do it automatically will be super helpful.

It looks like Lexus incorporates some level of machine learning here. To fully unlock the potential of the system, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication working in tandem with machine learning is a necessity. A fleet of networked hybrid vehicles can automatically work out a solution to minimize congestion, and every vehicle in that fleet knows how to perfectly balance the individual power budget.

 

[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!

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.)

 

[ssun30]

OK now the looks make much more sense.

 

[ssun30]

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!

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]

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."

 

[ssun30]

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.

 

[mediumhot]

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

 

[internalaudit]

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.

 

[Axel]

Still the CHR looks better. This NX is trying toot hard