The Star: July 18, 2019

news online at www.star.kiwi
Chiselled design
for Lexus UX
IF YOU WANT something
out of the mainstream and
styling is important in your
sport utility vehicle buying
decision, then the new
Lexus UX range should be
a consideration.
The UX oozes style, it has
an edgy, chiselled design,
and with its bold up-front
appearance it certainly
captures attention in a very
crowded mid-size SUV
market.
If the name Lexus
frightens you off financially,
take into account that
at a starting point of
just $59,900 the UX is
affordable for those who
want just that little bit extra
in a versatile family wagon.
The UX range is
very extensive, Lexus
has launched it with but that is not fitted to the
determination, there are UX series.
seven variants, five of
Nevertheless, the engine
those are hybrid which will is rated with a healthy
draw the environmentallyfriendly
buyer. The hybrid power outputs. They are
126kW and 205Nm
models start at just $62,900 developed at tall points in
and will top out at $75,900 the rev band – 6600rpm
for a Limited.
and 4800rpm. While
At the other end of they sit high, it must be
the range are the two taken into account the
petrol-only models. The engine drives through
evaluation car was an a continuously variable
F-Sport variant at $69,900 automatic transmission.
which to me also represents
good value given the
• Price – Lexus UX
badge on the car, the level
F-Sport, $69,900
of specification and the
• Dimensions –
quality of build.
Length, 4495mm;
Take into account, too,
width, 1840mm;
the UX does have two
height, 1520mm
hybrid four-wheel-drive
• Configuration –
options, the F-Sport as
Four-cylinder, frontwheel-drive,
1987cc,
tested was front-drive only,
but for many buyers, drive
to two wheels would be 126kW, 205Nm,
satisfactory, most SUVs continuously
don’t travel off the seal a lot, variable automatic.
and although all-drive gives • Performance –
a higher degree of grip on 0-100km/h, 8.9sec
all surfaces, most journeys • Fuel usage –
don’t require the extra
5.8l/100km
technology.
The UX is best described The beauty of CVT is
as a compact SUV; at 4.5m that it doesn’t load the
it isn’t big, and that has engine, the latter works
a beneficial effect on its freely, and with the
handling performance. It seamless flow of power
steers well through the front distribution there is
wheels thanks to beautiful driveline smoothness and
Bridgestone Turanza tyres refinement that fits well
(225/50 x 18in), rubber I with the Lexus image.
describe as some of the best There is also a certain
you can get.
amount of urgency
There is also strong produced through the
suspension control, body mechanical process. The
balance is even, and with engine feels feisty and
spring and damper rates lively, there is immediate
not overly firmed, in-cabin response from any point,
comfort is high.
and performance is well up
Under the bonnet sits to par.
a new-generation, 2-litre, The UX in this form will
four-cylinder engine. accelerate to 100km/h in
As with modern build 8.9sec and will complete a
techniques, it is a twincamshaft
type and is Paddle shifters will step
highway overtake in 5sec.
naturally aspirated. I say down the ratios so that top
that because Lexus and end engine performance
Toyota have a very special is always on tap, and will
turbocharged 2-litre unit, enhance engine braking
Motoring
Ross Kiddie
LEXUS UX F-SPORT: Bold up-front styling cues.
when slowing to a stop, for
instance.
The engine has also been
designed for efficiency and
you’d expect nothing less
from the manufacturer.
Lexus claims a 5.8-litre
per 100km/h (49mpg)
combined cycle fuel usage
average. That sits well with
the evaluation car’s readout
which was constantly
listing at around 7l/100km
(40mpg). At 100km/h the
engine is turning over quite
slowly at 1500rpm, sipping
fuel at an instantaneous rate
of just 5l/100km (56mpg).
The UX travels with
dignity and high levels of
comfort. In F-Sport trim,
red and black leather seats
are on offer, and they look
just great and feel even
better to be in. The layout
of the controls and dash
panel area is very much
in-line with other Lexus
models, the materials are
high grade, and there is a
wealth of functions and
specification items.
Importantly, for me, the
UX is a fine combination of
what small families would
require in an SUV purchase
along with the feel and
performance you can expect
from the brand overall. It’s
no sports car, but it does
have a feel-good factor from
behind the wheel and, as
I’ve eluded to, it looks great.
Not only will the UX
have an internal battle in
terms of sales, the NX and
RX series from the same
stable are crossover models
which have commanded
a good part of the luxury
SUV market, it will also
have to battle Toyota’s new
RAV4 and other mid-size
stalwarts.
However, given the UX
price positioning and
choice within the series it
will be popular for those
who want a taste of luxury
and a bold presence.
Winter conditions require
different techniques
TYPICAL winter
conditions now dominate
with frosts, chilly prevailing
winds, wet and cold soil –
hardly inviting gardening
weather.
However, the gloom of
winter is ‘lightened’ by the
appearance of flowers on
azaleas, camellias, daphne,
early flowering rhododendrons
and the first of the
flowering cherries ‘Prunus
campanulate’.
Houseplants
A reminder not to overwater
your houseplants in
winter, some plants require
watering only once a week.
A light misting of indoor
plants with lukewarm water
helps prevent leaves from
drying in heated indoor
conditions, you may need
to shift your houseplants
during the winter months
as parts of the house
can become too dark for
healthy growth.
Vegetable garden
Continue harvesting
winter maturing vegetables,
artichoke (Jerusalem),
broccoli, brussells sprouts,
cabbages, cauliflowers, carrots,
celery, leeks, lettuce,
parsnips, peas, silverbeet,
spinach and swedes. Spread
compost around maturing
vegetables as this helps
absorb excess water during
winter downpours and
eventually improve the soil.
By raising vegetable plots
drainage is enhanced and
vegetable growth improved.
Flowering annuals
Winter flowering annuals
should now be providing
masses of colour in your
garden and containers. Remove
dead flowers, ‘deadheading’
from the plants
to encourage continuous
blooming throughout
winter. Flowering annuals
for winter display include
ageratum, calendulas,
naTiVe planT
nursery
Trees for CanTerbury
speCialisTs in
• Groundcovers
• Ferns
• Grasses
• Small to big
sized shrubs
• Shelterbelts
• ALL grades
• Expert advice
• Planting now
Ask us about Super
Gold Card discounts
Helping our community grow
42 Charlesworth Street
Ph/Fax (03) 982-1028
OPEN 7 DAYS
www.treesforcanterbury.org.nz
cineraria, cornflower,
nemesias, pansies, poppies,
primulas, snapdragon,
stock and sweet pea.
Fruit trees
After completing the
annual pruning of fruit
trees, spray with Copper
Oxychloride to reduce the
possibility of fungal disease
reappearing in spring. Kiwifruit
can now be pruned
as all the fruit have been
harvested. In warmer areas
a number of citrus are now
ripening, mandarins, lemons,
limes, grapefruit and
early oranges. Complete
any plantings of new pip
and stone fruit trees.
Ornamental trees
and shrubs
Garden centres now have
the widest range of trees
and shrubs. July is a very
‘safe’ month for planting so
Thursday July 18 2019 The Star
GARDENING 29
COLD
HANDS:
July is
the time
to dig
plenty of
compost
into the
soil and
to prune
plants.
prepare individual planting
sites thoroughly with plenty
of compost.
Roses
Complete your annual
rose pruning, spray with
Copper Oxychloride after
pruning. Plant new specimens
where required as
garden centres have excellent
supplies in July. Plant
into well-prepared soil to
which compost has been
added. Prune your new
plants to outward facing
buds before planting.
Container gardens
Potted colour (winter
annuals grown to the flower
stage) brightens up a dreary
winter garden and provides
an instant flowering effect.
Always use a good quality
container mix or potting
mix.