2020 Lexus UX 250h hybrid

The UX250h is contested by the Jaguar E-Pace, the Range Rover Evoque, and the Volvo XC40 among numerous cars in this segment. The competition is powerful than the UX250h but this Lexus has the privilege of style and a sense of occasion unmatched by its competitors and its a hybrid too. Being a Lexus, it also enjoys the privilege of being unique in a population of Europeans. Let see how the competition rolls.

The UX 250h comes in three trim levels Base, F Sport and Luxury. All cars are mechanically the same except that each higher trim adds some more features in the car. The F Sport also gets some visual updates with a sportier look.

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The UX is a lot about its features and its luxury quotient. For that matter, picking the top of the line Luxury trim is a very good choice. You could also pick the F Sport trim if sporty looks are your priority. However, the best pick in the UX range is certainly the UX 250h which is the hybrid version of the UX. It comes with more power and torque from the electric motors and also has the benefit of AWD.

UX 250h has 181 horsepower, just 12 hp more than the non-hybrid UX, but its electric motors help give it a more instant surge of power when you need it. The UX 250h is also stable and fun to pilot around turns. Ironically, the sportiest UX happens to be the hybrid. - Edmunds

Engine and Transmission

The Lexus US 250h is powered by a 2.0L, naturally aspirated, 4-cylinder engine producing 143 hp and 133 lb-ft of torque of peak torque. It also has two electric motors with a nickle-metal hydride battery back at each of the front wheels and a third electric motor on the rear axle, thus effectivekly making it all-wheel drive. The combined output of the drivetrain is 181 horsepower, just 12 horsepower more than the non-hybrid UX200.

While the electric motors does give you some extra boost when you floor the gas pedal, it still not quite exiciting. The added power will help you in your over taking manuevers and off the line acceleration but the effect fades out soon. It will cruise confortably at decent speeds but do not ask much from it. It still better than the non-hybrid engine and it can even drive some distance in pure electric mode. Also, the AWD system works only upto speeds of 45 mph.

The engine is mated to a CVT gearbox but with a trick up its sleeve. The first gear is a conventional mechanical gear from where the CVT takes over. It has been made so to remove the sluggishness and unresponsiveness of a CVT gearbox and give better off the line performance and it indeed does work well. The first gear blends into the CVT seamlessly and then on, the CVT can simulate 10 gears if you tap at the paddles. However, the CVT isn’t an exceptional one and behaves quite like all other CVTs and disappointing at that.

In comparison, all its competitors are way more powerful similar engines of 2.0L, 4-cylinder motors but they are all turbocharged. The Volvo XC40 is the most powerful with 248 horsepower. The competition also uses conventional automatics whereas the Lexus is the only one to be using a CVT gearbox.

Acceleration

The UX 250h takes 8.6 seconds to accelerate from standstill to 60 mph which is a pretty decent number but slowest in the competition. That of course is no surprise as the Lexus is quite underpowered but intentionally so as it prioritizes fuel economy over performance. The Range Rover Evoque is the fastest car to 60 mph at just 6.0 seconds which is quite good for a compact SUV.

Ride and Handling

The ride quality is one of the biggest highlights of the UX 200. It has a really comfortable ride, perhaps one of the best in the segment. It soaks up bumps and potholes very well, even at highway speeds. What also impressive is that in spite of having a soft ride quality, it remains quite stable and composed around corners as well. It also benefits from the added weight of the battery back and elctric motors which give it some more stability at higher speeds. Body roll is very well managed and it really inspires confidence even if you are pushing it hard.

The steering is sharp and precise with a nice hefty feeling to it. It not too light, it not too heavy, just the perfect amount to weight to get some feeling out of it. The UX 200 is based on the same platform as the Toyota CH-R which is quite a fun car to drive. The UX naturally inherited the fun and nimble nature of the CH-R and then the dynamics have been really well engineered.

Braking

The brakes are something that Lexus couldn’t get right with the UX 200. The brakes are too sensitive and a little jab at the pedal brakes the car with a hard jerk. It really difficult to bring the car to a smooth stop with a steady pressure on the pedal. That said, the brakes are really strong and provide great biting force. It takes the UX 250h 173 ft to come to a dead stop from 70 mph which is pretty decent in this segment.

Where the Lexus really beats the competition is with its fuel economy. The engine was optimized to return great fuel economy figures and it really does, even more so with the hybrid powertrain over the non-hybrid UX200. It returns 39 miles to the gallon combined which is really amazing for

the segment. The Volvo XC40 follows next but returns only 26 miles to the gallon combined.

The front of the UX cabin is where Lexus plays one of its trump cards. Smart, (mainly) logical and less cluttered than its bigger brother NX, the space feels generous and welcoming. Material quality is excellent and original in places too, notably in the optional dashboard covering that resembles textured Japanese washi paper.- Top Gear

Design

The interiors are busy but still quite aesthetic. What catches your eyes first are the 10.3-inch infotainment screen set deep inside the dashboard. The AC vents that sit below are sleek and stylish. The piano style switches for the climate controls feel really good to use as well. The layout is typically Lexus and it really looks good. There also a unique dashboard trim in blue fabric like material which is also really cool.

What catches your eye next is the 7-inch or an 8-inch (on the higher trims) screen in the instrument cluster. There is a physical gauge cluster within the digital screen and it houses the speedometer which is a really cool touch. Fit and finish of the materials are really nice and there are soft touch panels at most places you would touch. The analog clock beside the infotainment screen is another very good touch.

Seating

The Lexus does not have the most spacious interiors as its rivals are a bit roomier. Having said that, there still is plenty space inside with good legroom and headroom. The seats are quite comfortable and can be heated or cooled. There are AC vents for the rear passengers as well. The cabin is very well built and long hours would be very happily spent in this car.

Infotainment System

Infotainment system is not something Lexus seems to be getting right. While the system itself is good and packs in all the features you’d need, the way to control the system is just not good enough. The track pad that Lexus uses to operate the infotainment system requires you to take your eyes off the road and quite some time getting used to. There are much better ways to operate an infotainment system and Lexus should definitely consider that.

Apart from the inconveniences of the track pad, the system itself is quite good. The graphics are nice, the system is intuitive and feature loaded and certainly an improvement over what Lexus has been doing before. Also, the music controls are via some buttons and dials placed under the central armrest and is quite convenient to use.

Interior Features

• Privacy Glass or Deep Tinted Glass
• Leather Steering Wheel
• Power Windows
• Tilt and Telescope Steering
• Power Adjustable Exterior Mirror
• 10.3 inch infotainment screen
• 7 inch digital instrument cluster
• Heated and Cooled seats
• Automatic climate control

Cargo Capacity

The Lexus has the least capacity cargo capacity for the class. The Jaguar has 24.2 cu.ft of space which is the best in the class. The boot caapcity is smaller even than in the UX200 becuase some space is taken up by the battery pack. Still, the boot is big enough to pack in at least three large bags and maybe some more.

On the UX, the current styling theme playful and adventurous in a way its European competition is not, and that a positive development for a brand that has followed more than it led in styling.- The Car Connection

Design

The UX 250h is a very handsome looking car. It has very good proportions and looks distinctly Lexus. The front is dominate by the large spindle grille. It looks aggressive and bold with a chrome garnish at the lower lip of the bumper. The headlamps are extremely stylish and the detailing with the DRLs looks stunning. The fog lamp housings run vertically down from the headlights, all the way to the bottom to give it a really sharp and mean look.

Move over to the sides and you are met with a multitude of lines and creases that beautifully bring out the muscular haunches of the car. The squared wheel arches with black claddings all around add some ruggedness to the design. The dual tone wing mirrors also are very stylishly designed.

The rear is probably the most pleasing angle of the UX 200. There nothing very fancy going on, just a light band connecting the brake lights on either side to make one seamless tail light. Some more lines and creases, a Lexus logo and black and silver claddings on the bumper finish off the rear design. The design is very distinctive and would easily catch eyes.

Exterior Dimensions

If we talk about dimensions, the UX 200 is not the biggest. It has the maximum length but the least width, least height and the least wheelbase too. The compact dimensions also makes it the lightest. The dimensions and weight greatly contribute to the nimble nature of the car. Also, its wheelbase is not much smaller than the competition which means interior space is not much compromised.

Exterior Features

• Spindle grille with mesh pattern
• LED DRLs and headlamps
• Dual Tone wing mirrors
• Body Cladding
• Light Band for the tail lights
• 18-inch wheels
• Rear Spoiler

The Lexus UX 200 has not been rated by NHTSA or IIHS as of yet as it a brand new car but it comes loaded with pretty good safety features as you would expect from a Lexus.

• Pre-Collision System (PCS) with Pedestrian Detection
• All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
• Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist
• Lane Tracing Assist
• Road Sign Assist (RSA)
• Intelligent High-Beam headlamps
• Anti-lock brakes
• Stability control
• Multiple Airbags

Lexus UX 250h vs Volvo XC40

The Lexus UX250h may be quite underpowered in comparison to the XC40 but it does pretty well what it does. It has good body control and a good ride quality as well. It looks very stylish and quite apart. The interiors are good but the infotainment system could have been better. It has way better fuel economy than any of its competitors. The XC40 does all the good things that the Lexus does but with way more power and performance. Also, the interiors in the Volvo are way nicer too. What really works for the Volvo is that it priced almost similarly to the Lexus and for that, it clearly the better choice amongst the two.

Lexus UX 250h vs Land Rover Range Rover Evoque

The Range Rover Evoque just received a fresh update this year and it looks smarter and sleeker than before. The Evoque has best in class interiors and technology with this new update. It also the fastest to 60 mph and is expected to ride and drive much better than before. Being a Range Rover, the Evoque has proper offroad capabilities and there no beating the Evoque at that. The Rangie is far better than the UX250h in every respect but it quite more expensive as well. If money is not a concern, the Evoque is easily the better car but if you want a competitive car in this segment at a very reasonable price, the UX250h fits the bill quite well.

Lexus UX 250h vs Jaguar E-pace

Not quite as powerful as the Jaguar E-Pace but it does pretty well for what it meant to do. It has a good balance between ride quality and body control. It certainly has the visual appeal which is quite distinctive and though not very special with the interiors, it good enough to challenge the Jaguar with its materials and technology. It has way better fuel economy than any of its competitors. On the other hand, the Jaguar is quite more powerful and much faster. If horsepower is not your concern, then the UX250h is the most sensible buy at a reasonable price but the E-Pace seems worth it for the extra power and performance it comes with.

The Lexus UX250h is a pretty nice car. Yes, it not quite as powerful as some of its competitors but once you look beyond that, it a great car for what it has been designed to be. You do feel underpowered sometimes when you really want to push it out on the highways but on the contrary, it gives fuel economy from its hybrid powerplant which is unheard of in this segment. Also, it the only hybrid compact SUV in this segment.

The engine is refined, it has good ride quality and good body control. It looks very stylish and very different from the numerous other Jaguars, Range Rovers and Volvos in this segment. The interiors feel rich and it comes decently well-equipped but it could have done better still. Lastly, when you consider the price at which you get the UX250h, it seems great value for its money and it opens the segment of compact luxury to a whole new audience.