Lexus UX 300e 2020 Review
First taste of luxury brand's first ever EV is pleasing – and it could dine out in OzWhen Audi and Mercedes launched their first mainstream EVs, the pre-launch hype and build-up was thermonuclear. We're talking months of teasers, tech explanations – you name it. Lexus? "We're going to reveal our first EV in two weeks," said the company out of the blue. "Wanna drive it?" Yeah, we do. And so it was that, before the car was even shown publicly in China today, we punted the Lexus UX 300e at a Lexus proving ground in Japan. Long story short? It doesn't have the wow-factor of other EVs, but is perhaps more appealing because of that.
What's it all about?
The Lexus UX 300e is a compact SUV powered by a single electric motor driving the front wheels and it’s a really big deal for the Japanese brand.
As the first EV from Lexus – a company that's been staunch in its adherence to hybrids, not EVs – it represents an about-face, but a pleasantly impressive one.
What sets it apart from its rivals' first mainstream EVs, the Mercedes EQC and Audi e-tron, is that it ain't going to break the bank.
It looks like any other Lexus UX compact SUV, inside and out, with a high-quality luxury cabin, albeit a somewhat iffy infotainment system, seating for four adults and so-so boot space. For a lot of customers though, it'll tick most of the boxes.
The Lexus EV is powered by a modest 150kW/300Nm synchronous electric motor that drives the front wheels and in practice the linear, potent acceleration makes it an engaging, satisfying car to razz around in.
The engine is based on the same unit used in the Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel-cell EV, and has a top speed of 160km/h.
Power comes from a relatively small 54kWh lithium-ion battery that you can charge at various power outlets, and it can accept a maximum charging rate of 50kW.
While that's quite low compared to other EVs hitting the market, at this energy flow rate it takes only around one hour to fully charge, says Lexus.
That might sound like a lot of time compared to filling up with petrol, but in the EV world it’s on the faster side.
What's it like to drive?
Even though the Lexus UX 300e is a fairly chubby little SUV (1900kg), the instant torque delivery gives it smooth and compelling acceleration. And, like many EVs, the novelty of crushing the accelerator pedal never gets old.
While 150kW and 300Nm may not sound like much, it's delivered in a convincing manner. I ran a few standing starts and while there is a touch of hesitation off the mark, between 30 and 110km/h it’s excitingly rapid.
There was even some front wheel spin accelerating out of right-hand corner on the damp Lexus proving ground track, but it was predictable and progressive.
The extra weight of the battery pack is mounted low in the vehicle, ensuring the significant mass is low to the ground. The electric motor meanwhile is positioned lower and further back than the petrol engine of the regular Lexus UX 200, improving the machine's driving dynamics.
Lexus' new EV sits flat through corners and changes direction without too much head shake, thanks to nicely controlled weight transition. Whoever worked on the suspension should be given a promotion.
Ride comfort was excellent, the little luxury SUV remaining very smooth over rougher patches of concrete.
The Lexus UX 300e goes, stops and turns better than any other Lexus SUV available today (especially the roly-poly regular UX) and offers a decent range -- Lexus says about 400km on the NEDC cycle, but it will be closer to 350km in the real world.
The steering isn't gifted with the clarity of a Porsche Macan SUV, but it doesn't really need to be. The tiller is super light in normal and eco mode and firms up a little in sport. The brakes weren't too touchy either, even when set to the strongest of the four regenerative braking modes.
This is the kind of car that will be used as a daily driver -- a commuter, a vehicle to buy groceries in and check out the latest coffee joint on weekends -- and is unlikely to be flogged around a top-secret Japanese test track.
In that respect, the light steering, small footprint and prompt throttle response augur well for the little SUV.
The Lexus UX 300e offers the typically high levels of comfort and luxury that are Lexus hallmarks. It's a neat and tidy little EV inside, where the dials and instruments are mostly pretty intuitive.
But the awful infotainment input system called Lexus Remote Touch needs killing off and it doesn't feel particularly high-tech or fancy at the wheel. The instrument panel is the only unique element, and even then you have to strain to pick out the differences.
The Lexus UX EV doesn't have door cameras like the Audi e-tron, there's no giant touch-screens like in the Mercedes-Benz EQC and it can't make fart sounds like the Tesla Model 3.
But you know what? The battery-powered Lexus UX doesn't need to be fancy. You can't even tell this is an EV (until you gun the throttle), which has its own appeal.
How much is the Lexus UX 300e?
The Lexus EV won't break the bank – at least in EV terms. Expected to cost around $70,000 in Australia by our estimation, it will be about $10K pricier than the similarly-sized Hyundai Kona Electric and about $25K more than the cheapest Lexus UX.
The burning question is, when will it be on sale in Australia?
For Lexus' sake, the sooner the better, because in many ways it is a smarter first attempt at an electric vehicle than those of its German rivals'.
Why should/shouldn’t I buy it?
The way UX 300e drives is impressive. Although the steering is a bit wooly, everything else about the way the first Lexus EV motivates is charming. It sits flat through corners, is predictable in its reactions and has way more thrust than pretty much any other SUV that Lexus makes.
There's an on-off switch for a sound generator so although it creates more synthesised (but not unpleasant) noise than the Kona Electric, you can always switch it off.
Its compact size will make it easy to park and live with and while boot space seems pretty cramped, it’s not a deal-breaker as you can fold the rear seats down.
Lexus’ reputation for building reliable vehicles may give it a few wins where the Tesla Model 3 couldn’t. The very nature of EVs with fewer moving parts suggests this will be a well-built, reliable and user-friendly machine… assuming you don't run out of juice halfway down the Hume highway.
I'm not sure this is going to be the 'best' EV on offer when it comes to Australia, nor does it have any unique selling points like some of its super-tech rivals. Even so, I reckon it could become a very popular EV.
If Lexus can get the price right – and bring it to market sooner rather than later – it could have one of the best-selling electric SUVs on its hands.
How much does the 2020 Lexus UX 300e cost?
Price: $70,000 (estimated)
Engine: Electric motor, 54kWh lithium-ion battery
Output: 150kW/300Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Range: About 400km
CO2: 0g/km
Safety Rating: TBC
- Simple execution
- Predictable dynamics
- Relative affordability
- Infotainment input
- Same-same design
- Potentially short range
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