The Netherlands September 2019: Lexus made its entrance into the crossover class when they announced the UX250H in March 2018. The Crossover is a combination of a hatchback & SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) and is gaining popularity rapidly since 2010. A special thanks goes to Louwman Groningen & Lexus Zwolle who provided us a beautiful Lexus UX250h so we can delight your senses regarding this compact crossover.
Text Benjamin/ Roley Richardson
Picture Benjamin Wefer
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The UX has been introduced as a compact car with all the luxury that Lexus has to offer. Lexus wanted the UX to have an eye-catching design and I think they really nailed it. The body has a flawless design that unites the front and the back of the car with each other. The rear lights blends 120 LEDs into one continuous line at the back of the car. It’s not just candy for the eye but it also contributes to the car’s aerodynamics. The arrow/L shape headlight and daytime running lights, big front grill and the S shaped front bumper gives the UX an aggressive look; making this an excellent choice for a modern small family looking for an all-round crossover.
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The UX is available in thirteen different colours. With two newly introduced colors one of them being the ‘Blazing Carnelian metallic’ which is an orange/copper color and the second one is named ‘Terrane Khaki’ which is a cactus like green. Just for fun I would take this car in Terrane Khaki and when people ask me if my car is green, I would immediately correct them by saying; No! No! it’s Terrane Khaki!
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| UX; Color F-White + UX; Color Blazing Carnelian + UX; Color Therrane Khaki |
The name UX stands for Urban eXplorer. it’s built on the new GA-C platform and the UX focuses on looks, compact/performance and the driver as the center of attention. The GA-C platform gives the UX a lower center of gravity, which gives it a more direct steering. New techniques like laser screw welding is used on the UX, enhancing overall rigidity.
We had the opportunity to test drive both AWD (All Wheel Drive) and FWD (Front Wheel Drive).
The AWD, gives you a more confident feeling in the corners almost as if you’re driving a hatchback.
The AWD gives you the sense that it wants to launch the car forward than the FWD. When driving the FWD; you quickly realize that the Naturally aspirated engine needs all its power, to move UX 1600 kg body forward and you can easily get the SUV feeling in the corners. Thus it’s nearly a crime selling the UX without the AWD option in my humble opinion.
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The Lexus UX for the European market is powered by a naturally aspirated 2.0 liter four cylinder engine. The new 2.0 liter engine has a high compression ratio (14.1) and includes the D-4S fuel injection system (Direct + secondary port injectors). This all to reduce emission and increase fuel efficiency. Together with a front axle hybrid system including two electric motor/generators, the Lexus UX produces 184 horsepower at 6000 rpm. With a total length of 4.4 meter bumper to bumper ( Distance wheelbase = 2.6 meters) and a turning radius of just above 5 meters/17.1 feet), the UX250h was specially designed for the crowded big cities.
The Panoramic view monitor combines four cameras around the car to give you a top view of the UX and surroundings, reinforcing your steering capabilities when driving through narrow streets or parking it in a crowded parking lot. Together with the blind spot monitor (Sensor in rear bumper register in coming traffic/Parking Assist ( Assistance when reverse parking), it feels like you can drive the UX with your eyes closed (Please don’t try this at home).
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Lexus chose a ‘Driver-centric’ design for the UX and this is noticeable as soon as you step in; the whole dashboard is facing towards you, the high seating position and the way the interior merges into the exterior gives you superb visibility. Lexus introduced additional control bottom into the top end of the arm rest, which makes easier to control the multimedia system. Your fingers are at the right buttons when resting your arm on the arm rest. Controlling the multimedia goes effortless without!
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A 10.3” split screen makes it easier to customize settings on the side while having your main menu untouched. Also for the UX, Lexus choose for the mouse pad to switch from one menu to the other, and this requires some skills. I honestly wouldn’t mind to reach far to the screen if this was a touchscreen, but that’s my opinion. The wide Head up display (HUD) is good enough; It gives you all the information you might want to see and yet it’s not that big to disturb your view.
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If I can describe the Lexus UX in one word I would say; bold! It’s Lexus First Crossover and they went the extra mile to give you; all the new technology, comfort and eye-catching design you would expect from Lexus. It’s not a traditional family car and yes; you lose some space here and there, but it sure fits the purpose. I would say it even can accept a challenge for a trip off-road!
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