Used Lexus UX 2019-present review

Foolish would be the mainstream manufacturer that doesn’t carry a family SUV in its range these days.

Lexus seemed to cater pretty well for the affluent classes after a large SUV and a luxury SUV – with its NX and RX models – but it took until the arrival of this Lexus UX in 2019 before it could snap up sales in the smaller class from families eager to sample its intriguing blend of petrol-electric, hybrid-powered opulence.

It certainly looks the part. It shares the creases and eye-catching style of its larger siblings but is better proportioned. Its hybrid drive means its rivals encapsulate both petrol and diesel family SUVs, and its reputation for luxury and reliability put it firmly into the premium market sector.

In 2021 it was also joined by a fully electric version, the Lexus UX 300e, which shares all the regular car's good features but comes with a slightly disappointing electric range of 196 miles, way below the range offered by many of its rivals.

Under its origami-style bonnet is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine mated to an electric motor, producing a combined power output of 182bhp. It is a self-charging hybrid, rather than a plug-in one, and therefore can run for only short distances on electric power alone. A four-wheel-drive version, the E4, is available, with an extra electric motor driving the rear wheels.

Trim levels start with the standard level, which is reasonably well equipped, to which you then add a series of packs. It’s with these Premium, Premium Plus or Tech and Sound Packs that you start to build in the luxuries that count. For instance, the Premium Plus Pack includes leather seats, privacy glass, bigger 18in alloy wheels, a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, keyless entry and a powered tailgate. The Tech and Sound pack includes parking sensors, electric seats and a high-end hi-fi.

The standalone trim F-Sport costs roughly the same as the standard UX with a Premium Plus Pack fitted, but still doesn't come quite as well equipped. You do get unique features, though, including sports suspension, sports seats and a black grille, bumpers and side sills. Takumi spec is focused on luxury and is equipped with a larger, 10.3in infotainment screen with DVD player, an upgraded sound system, head-up display, leather upholstery and a sunroof.

On the road, the UX is smother than a diesel, although it can grow noisy when you accelerate hard, due to the workings of its CVT gearbox. There’s also a fair amount of wind and road noise at motorway speeds. It always feels solidly planted, though, even if its ride, which is comfortable most of the time, can grow crashy on larger bumps and road imperfections.

The steering is light and fairly precise, while its cornering abilities, though unlikely to please a keen driver, are business-like rather than athletic. It would be fair to say that most of its rivals offer more enjoyment to the driver via more agile and nimble setups.

Inside, the driving position is excellent, and the seats, especially the sports seats in the F Sport trim, very comfortable. You sit lower than you do in some SUVs, and visibility is reasonable - all options come with a rear-view camera as standard.

You’d expect a Lexus to feel plush inside and to a certain degree the UX does, although there are one of two scratchier plastics on display than you’d find in the firm’s more expensive models.

Another major sticking point, common to other Lexus models, is the UX’s infotainment system. The standard 7.0in screen is tiny by class standard, and both it and the optional 10.3in display are of low resolution next to the sharp and clear screens found in nearly every other rival. The menus are overly complicated, too, and the whole thing fiddly to use, especially on the move.

Space up front is good, but rear-seat space is very compromised. There’s less space in the back than most of its rivals. The boot is usefully square but terribly small, especially for this class of car.

If you're interested in finding a used UX, or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.

You’ll need around £15,000 to get behind the wheel of a UX. This will buy you a good condition 2019 car with an average to high mileage for the year and a full service history. Up the wedge a little for a car in F Sport trim or with one or more of the premium packs added or an E4 version, and expect to pay £16,000 to £20,000 for a 2020 model and £24,000 for a 2021 or 2022 one. Spend over £25,000 on a 2023 car. The all-electric UX 300e will set you back from £23,000

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MPG

The claimed official fuel consumption figure as recorded under the newer WLTP tests is 53.3mpg for the standard UXs. The E4 four-wheel-drive version with the extra electric motor claims an official 48.7mpg. The electric UX 300e has an official range of 196 miles, which is below nearly all of its rivals.

Road tax

All UXs will have been registered after the road tax changes of April 2017 so the annual car tax (VED) will be charged at a flat rate, currently £170 per year for hybrids (rather than being based on CO2 emissions). Beware the more expensive versions of the UX, which, if costing more than £40,000 new, will attract an extra supplementary luxury car tax, currently £390 per year for years two to five after the car is registered.

Insurance and servicing

Insurance groups range from a reasonable 22 to 26, while servicing costs can be expensive, although Lexus pricing is simple to work out on its website and it operates a number of plans designed to help spread the cost.

We’d stick with the standard car in front-wheel-drive form, in an effort to keep all costs reasonable.

Our favourite Lexus UX: UX 250h 2.0 5dr CVT

The Volvo XC40 is our former What Car? Car of the Year winner and a tremendous all-round package, either new or used. It’s a grown-up car, available in either petrol or diesel-engined forms. It’s comfortable, practical and has a really classy interior.

The Kia Niro hybrid is a close relation of the all-electric e-Niro, another former What Car? Car of the Year. It can be had as a plug-in hybrid, with a longer range, or a self-charging version. It’s quick, decent to drive and practical, too - certainly more so than the UX.

If you're interested in finding a used UX, or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.

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