Most Luxury carmakers stake out a space where they can offer vehicles for a specific group of drivers.
The Lexus brand has enough financial and engineering muscle to build passenger based platforms that fit into nearly every size category.
Bumper2Bumpertv says an example is the UX250h Hybrid.
THERE IS SMALL AND THEN THERE IS COMPACT, WHICH IS CAR SPEAK FOR REALLY SMALL AND THAT IS WHERE THE LEXUS UX FITS IN AS A COMPACT CROSSOVER WITH A LUXURY PEDIGREE.
SINCE THE BRAND LIKES TO COMPETE IN NEARLY EVERY SEGMENT OF PASSENGER VEHICLES THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE UX SEEMS LOGICAL.
THIS WAS OUR SECOND OPPORTUNITY TO DRIVE ONE AND IF YOU WANT AN EASY TO PARK, WELL APPOINTED CROSSOVER THEN THE UX CAN HOLD SOME APPEAL.
AT AN OVERALL LENGTH OF 177 INCHES IT SQUEEZES INTO THE COMPACT SEGMENT WHILE OFFERING A NICE ARRAY OF TECHNOLOGY AND INFOTAINMENT SYSTEMS. AS A HYBRID DOES WHAT IS EXPECTED WITH A 2.0 LITER 4 CYLINDER ENGINE.
COMBINED WITH THE BATTERY SYSTEM IT OFFERS 181 HORSEPOWER AND AS EXPECTED IS VERY QUIET.THE UX HAS TWO ELECTRIC MOTORS, ONE IS UNDER THE HOOD WHERE YOU EXPECT TO FIND IT.
AS FOR THE OTHER CHECK IN THE REAR UNDER THE CARGO MAT.
IT IS ASSIGNED TO THE REAR WHEELS AND AXLE.
THE TRANSMISSION IS THE EXPECTED CVT LINKED TO AN ALL WHEEL DRIVE ARRANGEMENT.
There are a lot of things we do like about the Lexus UX.
It’s size, the fact that it gets great fuel economy.
But one of the things we don’t like is the back seat.
This is way too small.
Let me show you.
Now I’m 5’ 8’ …Yeah, this ain’t working folks!
THE REAR SEAT HAS CONSIDERABLY LESS LEGROOM, SHOULDER ROOM OR HIP ROOM THAN THE FRONT AND SERVES BETTER AS A PACKAGE SHELF THAN A SEAT FOR THREE ADULTS.
NOW THE FRONT SEAT IS A DIFFERENT STORY WITH REASONABLE DIMENSIONS.
THE DRIVER HAS EASY ACCESS TO A LOT OF DATA ABOUT THE UX AND A HEADS-UP DISPLAY THAT IS WELL WITHIN THEIR SIGHTLINE.
AS WE MENTIONED EARLIER, WE HAVE HAD EXPERIENCE WITH THE UX IN THE PAST AND ENJOYED THE FACT THAT IT RUNS ON REGULAR GRADE FUEL.
THE SEATING SURFACES ARE WHAT YOU EXPECT FROM A LUXURY BRAND AND THE OTHER TOUCH POINTS LIVE UP TO THAT EXPECTATIONS AS WELL.
FROM OUR POINT OF VIEW IT IS A GOOD FIT FOR A DRIVER AND ADDITIONAL PASSENGER BUT NOT SOMETHING WE WOULD RECOMMEND FOR A FAMILY.
I’M GREG MORRISON.