Bay Harbour: May 22, 2019

PAGE 16 Wednesday May 22 2019
BAY HARBOUR
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Lexus UX – gateway into the luxury brand
Motoring
Ross Kiddie
I NEVER would have picked the
change of direction that Lexus has
travelled in the last few years.
The company came onto the
global market in 1989 with a
large sedan and since then sport
sedans, coupes and convertibles,
along with a luxury four-wheeldrive
vehicle, have accounted for
a large part of its sales.
However, in recent times, to
capitalise on the global demand
for sport utility vehicles, Lexus
has changed direction slightly,
there are a large number of SUVs
in the company’s line-up, and it is
ever-increasing.
Just recently, a compact SUV
has been launched by Lexus.
Badged simply UX, it sits beneath
the small-to-medium NX and
RX. If you think of Toyota RAV4
size, then the UX is about that
stature, however, it gets a heap of
upmarket kit that clearly has it
sitting in the luxury car category.
The UX lands here in force,
there are seven front-wheel-drive
and all-wheel-drive variants, all
are 2-litre powered, yet there is
the option of hybrid technology.
From what I’m picking up from
Lexus New Zealand and at local
dealer level, the hybrid is the
car to beat and it is the subject
of this evaluation , an F-Sport
Limited to be exact. It sits at
$72,900.
Incidentally, the UX hits the
showroom floors at $59,900 for
a 2-litre petrol, while a rangetopping
4WD Limited hybrid sits
at $75,900.
I’ve driven a lot of hybrids out
of the Lexus and Toyota stables
recently, and I agree, the UX in
hybrid form takes a lot of beating.
For one the hybrid system has
become what I would call normal.
Whereas once hybrids took a little
understanding and a technique
to drive them effectively, that
has all changed. Today’s hybrid
works much like any other petrolpowered
car, it feels just so right,
and in Lexus form the refinement
within the driveline mechanicals
makes it hard to detect any
transfer of power between electric
delivery and when the petrol
engine kicks in.
Of course, there are many
other benefits other than the
sophistication, the UX hybrid is
rated with a 4.5-litre per 100km
(63mpg) combined cycle fuel
usage rating. That claim sits
well with the readout on the
evaluation car, it was showing
around 7l/100km (40mpg) when
I took it back to the dealership.
The UX is also quick, that’s the
LEXUS UX F-SPORT: Two-litre engine with or without hybrid
option.
benefit of electric delivery. It will
scamper to 100km/h in 8.6sec,
and will complete an overtake
manoeuvre in 5sec. The latter
is attributed to the solid midrange
delivery between electric
and petrol, the UX has dynamic
performance, Lexus claiming
power outputs of 135kW and
188Nm.
Not only is the UX a spirited
drive, it also handles with aplomb.
I guess it doesn’t wear a F-Sport
badge for nothing, the UX has
accurate corner turn-in and
definite steering feel.
This is something Lexus does
so well, the steering is involving
and communicative. Riding on
beautiful Bridgestone Turanza
tyres (225/50 x 18in), there is a lot
of rubber in contact with the road
and it shows, grip levels are high
even without the four-wheeldrive
option.
There is little sensation power
is coming out the front wheels
only, the UX is balanced and
controlled and, of course, you
get an amazingly compliant ride,
traditional with all Lexus models.
That luxury feel doesn’t end
there, the cockpit and cabin area
is plush, the way Lexus create
interiors is a real credit. The test
car was trimmed with white
leather, yet there are contrasting
elements which work effectively
to tone down the overpowering
effect of light.
There are also the ingredients
which luxury car owners would
expect even from an SUV. The
UX is chock full of the latest
technology for safety, comfort
and convenience, and its styling
and design inside and out is eyecatching
and desirable. All of the
ingredients are in place to make
the UX very much a part of the
• Price – Lexus UX 250h
F-Sport, $72,900
• Dimensions – Length,
4495mm; width, 1840mm;
height, 1520mm
• Configuration – Fourcylinder,
front-wheel-drive,
1987cc, 135kW, 188Nm,
continuously variable
automatic.
• Performance –
0-100km/h, 8.4sec
• Fuel usage – 4.5l/100km
Lexus family.
Lexus claim the UX is the
gateway model into the brand. I
guess that’s a good call, however,
the company will have to market
that hard, Toyota have just
launched an amazing new RAV4,
and some models have similar
drivelines to the UX. While it’s nice
to step up into Lexus luxury, some
buyers may well be happy with the
cheaper option.
Wherever the UX goes in
terms of sales, it is just part of
a spectacular range of Lexus
models.
Personally, I’d still be sticking
to one of the sport sedans or
coupes from the stable, but for
those who do need or want an
SUV, the UX will certainly be
a purchase which will keep the
buyer happy for many years, and
it will definitely put a smile on
their face every time they see
the savings hybrids offer when it
comes to fill-up time at the local
service station.