Lexus's Luxury UX 300e SUV is enough to convert me to electric.
Jeremy Webb
Lexus's Luxury UX 300e SUV is enough to convert me to electric.
This months review is an electric car from luxury brand Lexus. The company has been at the forefront of Hybrid vehicles producing the RX 400h in 2005, and it has kept on pushing technology so it can manufacture full-electric cars such as their UX 300e.
The UX 300e is the marque's first fully Battery Electric vehicle, and they have done an excellent job. Lexus has just popped in batteries and an electric motor using the existing UX platform. So the new car is proven in reliability and build quality.
The UX 300e benefits from superb performance with the electric motor providing rapid acceleration, giving you a real buzz when you put your foot down. The high-capacity batteries sit low in the vehicle, under the cabin's floor. Providing a great centre of gravity and handling is safe even when pushing the UX 300e through tight twisty road sections.
The range is crucial when selecting an electric vehicle, and you have to know the car's intended use. Is it just for Urban use where the short-range is not an issue, as charging can be made frequently, or is the car going to be used for commuting where charging could be an issue? Then is the vehicle to be used for regular long journies? With the UX 300e, you can use it for any of these tasks as the maximum range comes in at 249 miles and 186 miles for combined Urban use. The battery is 54.3 kWh, and the vehicle has a 150 kW Motor giving you plenty of power in any situation.
Conveniently you can plug the car into your standard electric power supply using a three-pin plug. You get a full charge much quicker by using 53.4 kW chargers that are now easier to find. If you have a home electric wall box providing 6.6 kW, a full charge can take as little as eight hours, meaning you could plug the UX 300e in overnight, and it will be ready for any journey in the morning.
As expected, with a Lexus, the UX 300e comes fitted with safety features and a glorious Driver display. The SUV has excellent sound proving to make it one of the quietest in the segment, and all inside benefit from this. The ergonomics of the entertainment system and cockpit display are supreme, with everything to hand, either on the steering wheel or touchpad.
Connect to Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto® through your smartphone, and you can use your Apps via the seven-inch infotainment screen. You also get
•Maps (Google/Apple)
•News
•Music
•Hands-free calls and the ability to send and receive text messages
When driving the car, you use the Drive Mode Select function, enabling you to manage how the vehicle uses acceleration and deceleration. The UX 300e also harvests power back to the battery through regeneration under braking, and you can alter this through the paddle shifts.
Lexus always puts the Driver and passengers at the centre of their priorities, so the UX 300e has the Lexus Safety System+. The package has numerous functions to assist the Driver, such as lane guidance, distance to the vehicle in front warning, and blind-spot warning.
True to Lexus's prioritisation of new, advanced safety technologies and quickly making them available to customers, the UX 300e is equipped with Lexus Safety System+, helping prevent accidents, injuries and fatalities. At the same time, the development of driver assistance systems helps reduce driver stress and promote a more natural and safe driving experience.
The entry model comes with Lexus Safety System +
7" Media Screen with Remote Touch Interface
Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto®
Reversing Camera with Back Guidelines
Intelligent Front and Rear Parking Sensors
Bi-LED Headlights with Auto High Beam (AHB)
8-way Electrically Adjustable Front Seats
Using the LexusLink app, you can connect your smartphone to check battery charge and driving range. Charging controls are included, such as a timer which indicates when a full charge will be reached, and a charging schedule according to when the vehicle is next expected to be driven or when energy prices are low. The app also allows the owner to control the car's climate remotely.
The UX 300e has a spacious interior for five people and good sized luggage carrying capability. It is classified as a compact SUV with competition from Skoda's Kodiaq five-seater or BMW's X3 xDrive30e Hybrid. The Lexus model is a bit more luxurious, but it does come at a price.
The UX 300e is a real contender in the booming full-electric market, and no doubt, many existing Lexus owners will purchase it. I also predict that many others will as the build quality and luxury feel are tempting assets. Comfort and handling are impressive too, and then you have the low running costs for what is a good-sized SUV. Inexpensive to charge and free of Road Tax, the UX 300e is an attractive package.
Pricing:
£41,750 for the entry-level model up to £51,345 for the top of the range Takumi version.