Lexus UX review

The UX feels suitably car-like on the move, as opposed to a top-heavy crossover, thanks to its low centre of gravity and rakish demeanour. Lexus has also attempted to improve body control courtesy of more bracing and stiffer panels, and it generally handles itself pretty well.

And for the most part it’s pleasingly hushed and refined too, particularly around town where it sits in EV mode more than you might expect. It’s beyond the city walls where it starts to show its weaknesses, largely because of its CVT transmission which, as ever, is a touch shouty.

Is it at all fun?

The UX makes a half-hearted effort at being sporty, with a drive mode selector on the steering wheel or a stalk to the left of the instrument binnacle (less awkward than it sounds) and options for Eco, Normal and Sport modes. 

If you plump for the F Sport model you get adaptive suspension along with a selection of extra sporty modes for variety (Eco, Normal, Sport S, Sport S+ and Custom), but it’s not necessarily variety you’ll welcome. The new digital instrument cluster also rather oddly introduces a g-force meter that you’ll surely never look at.

That’s because the responsiveness and extra power of the sportiest settings make it feel a little hyperactive and overwrought. That and the shouting of the CVT, obvs. No, the UX is at its wafty best in the Normal or Eco modes.

How cheap is it to run?

Along with the performance tweaks there have also been improvements in fuel consumption, with Lexus claiming 45mpg for the FWD model (up from 42mpg) and around 41mpg (up from 39mpg) for the AWD one.

This is one of the rare cars where it’s eminently plausible to match – or even better, as we did – those figures thanks to all the electronic wizardry beneath the exterior. It’s worth bearing in mind that the real strength of this kind of hybrid setup is around town, where the regen and electric assistance work best.