ON THE ROAD – IAN LYNAS DRIVES THE NEW LEXUS UX 300h

Lexus, when it arrived on the motoring scene,  delivered in terms of quality of build, drive and performance with the LS400; a car which was to challenge the established premium brands head on.

Since then, the Japanese carmaker has continued to bring to market cars of outstanding quality and I recently had the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the latest in line- the UX 300h. This is an in fashion luxury compact crossover which amongst its numerous plus points is a more powerful hybrid system, new digital instrumentation and a number of much improved safety features. The first Lexus to bear the UX badge arrived in 2018 and with the new model with its high capacity lithium ion battery; the good news is that the total power system is up by some eight percent. With that comes faster acceleration and improved fuel consumption. With E-Four all-wheel drive it benefits from a new rear motor with more than five times the power of the previous model, thus resulting in a sharper throttle response, which as I discovered a more pleasing drive experience.

This is an important sector of the market to be in and to date the UX has become one of the best sellers for Lexus across Europe. I am often asked the question to explain what is a crossover; it is the mix of a small SUV type like vehicle with a hatchback, in other words, the best of both worlds. This newcomer replaces the UX 250h and uses a two litre petrol engine with fifth generation Lexus hybrid technology and power is up from 181bhp to 196bhp. Variants equipped with the E-Four all wheel drive system feature a new permanent magnet high-torque motor-generator that is 5.6 times more powerful than the previous induction-type unit, producing 30kW (vs 5.3kW) and 84Nm of torque (vs 55Nm). Not only do you discover the sharper throttle response but enhanced stability. The increase in power provides rest to 100kph (62mph) in 8.1 seconds (FWD versions), while the all wheel drive models reach 100kph (62mph) in 7.9 seconds and the CO2 figures are 113 and 126 respectively. All versions feature the Lexus Drive Mode Select to tailor your driving enjoyment. Normal mode ensures the best balance of performance and fuel efficiency; Eco mode priorities fuel and energy efficiency by smoothing throttle response and moderating air conditioning operation; and Sport gives sharper acceleration and adds reassuring weight to the steering feel.

My choice in the line-up, the UX 300h F Sport which is equipped as standard with adaptive variable suspension, this allows for additional Sport S, Sport S+ and Custom drive modes. With the chassis setting in Sport, selecting Sport S+ or Custom modes engages firmer damper settings for a more dynamic driving feel while Custom mode also allows you to combine preferred settings for the powertrain, chassis and air conditioning. The car is built on Lexus’s GA-C global architecture platform, a light and rigid structure which gives prompt responses; and by the way UX stands for Urban Explorer; in my mind this is a vehicle for town and country driving. On the move, the cabin is a pleasant environment and increased attention to sound proofing carries on the great tradition of Lexus. There is a 12.3-inch digital driver’s instrument combimeter on some versions which can be customised for appearance, style, and type of information delivered, creating a seamless and intuitive user experience for accessing information, entertainment, and connectivity and Its appearance changes according to the selected drive mode and its layout can be adapted to suit the your personal preferences. The system can save the preferred multimedia, audio, and navigation settings of up to three people and the seven-inch display featured on other model grades is also fully digitised and customisable. The latest multimedia systems, according to model grade, Lexus Link Connect with an eight-inch touchscreen display, or, with additional functionality and 12.3-inch screen, Lexus Link Pro (Premium Plus/F Sport Design Tech grades and above). As well as being very easy to operate, the systems have increased computing power and deliver faster response to inputs. Both versions present graphics in high definition for good readability in all lighting conditions. Quality of drive is matched by the employment of top class materials for the interior, leaving this compact Lexus with a genuine feel of being just that much better than its competitors. Three upholstery options are offered: fabric, Tahara synthetic leather, and genuine smooth leather and the leather and synthetic leather feature a stitch work pattern inspired by the Japanese Sashiko quilting technique; the perforated leather displays feature a.hexagonal kagome pattern taken from traditional basket-weaving.

Summing up, the new UX 300h comes with an array of safety and security systems and thankfully all of the controls are not lost in touchscreens. The end result is a practical small Lexus which verges close to being sporty, my kind of wheels.

Ian Lynas