Edged alternative

A year ago Lexus presented its new compact SUV UX, now the Audi Q3 competitor is on the market. Of course with hybrid drive and expressive design.    

For a year, Lexus has kept its customer waiting: At the Geneva Motor Show 2018 gave the new compact SUV UX its debut, but only this March rolls at least 33.950 Euro expensive Japanese to the dealers. As we know it from Toyota's premium subsidiary, with expressive, edgy design including tail lights that have been converted to spoilers and a new, continuous light bar at the rear - and of course with hybrid drive.

Lexus also offers the 4,50 meter long Audi Q3, BMW X1 or Volvo XC40 competitors as the UX 250 only with a petrol engine. However, the product planners do not assume that more than 20 percent of German customers will opt for the 2,0-liter four-cylinder with 126 kW / 171 hp coupled to a continuously variable transmission. The rest will dig a little deeper and order the hybrid version 35.900h for at least 250 euros. It combines the same combustion engine with an electric motor (80 kW / 109 hp) to form a 135 kW / 184 strong drive unit. The Japanese traditionally do not specify the total torque, but the electric motor packs a further 190 Newton meters for the 202 Newton meters of the Otto. This shortens the standard sprint from 9,2 to 8,5 seconds compared to the petrol-only engine. Even though the hybrid models weigh around 80 kilograms more.

Again, 60 kilograms come on it, if one decides for the E-Four-Option (plus 1.650 Euro). However, the front-wheel drive UX does not really make the Allrader: Although mounted on the rear axle Lexus then another small electric motor, which reduces the already not large trunk from 438 to 401 liter. However, the only delivers marginal 5 kW / 7 PS, which hardly go through as a serious source of power. Rather, Lexus wants to know the E-Four system as an all-wheel-like driver assistance system that intervenes when needed, for example, when starting or when the UX threatens to lose traction in slippery corners, at short notice.

In principle, the already in the standard setup tightly tuned Lexus curves quite like and who wants to get the F-Sport model with even more binding substructure. The direct steering and the unusual for a SUV low center of gravity provide plenty of momentum. So it happens that you quickly forget that you are still sitting in a Hochbeiner that - in the case of the E-Four - brings good 1,6 tons on the scales. And they push the UX suddenly quite clearly to the curve edge and the passengers in the fixed seats. Courageously the UX acknowledges with the early attempt to push on the front wheels, according to quickly attacks the ESP and brings it back with rough interventions on track. 

So the UX is neither terrain Kraxler, nor super dynamic Kurvenräuber, but rather an SUV for city and long-haul. Especially in the city, the hybrid drive can play its trump card. As usual, omits Lexus on the plug-in technology, means: The UX can not be charged at the socket, nor is the power in the battery really enough for electric driving. After a maximum of one or two kilometers, the burner has to start. However, the constant braking and rolling in the city, the battery is continuously charged with recuperation energy, so that the Otto should make quite a break. Although the promised good four liters of standard fuel consumption according to NEDC are not entirely realistic, the 5,5 WLTP liters are already. 

On the highway, the electric assistance helps in overtaking. The kick on the accelerator pedal is spontaneously translated, and turning the drive mode switch stub next to the 7-inch instrument cluster to sport, engine and steering react even more directly. However, even with the UX, the forced performance query is accompanied by a somewhat louder soundscape; Finally, the continuously variable transmission forces the burner to high speeds. However, the Lexus models are significantly better insulated than comparable Toyota hybrids. Instead of the annoying howling, you can hear a strained groan that quickly stops again.

Otherwise, the interior is quite quiet, but also relatively tight. Although even two-meter drivers can easily find space and a comfortable seating position, but you feel pretty much in the first row of the sweeping dashboard; in the back, it gets narrower for the legs than for the head. Depending on the equipment, the cleanly-finished cockpit, lined with Japanese washi-inspired materials in the top version, dominates an 7 or 10,3 inch large infotainment display. The operation of the system by touchpad next to the gear selector lever is standard - and a little complicated. Too bad: Although scores the base version with delicacies such as LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, tracking assistant and traffic sign recognition. Other interesting extras such as 360 degree camera, seat ventilation or electrically opening tailgate are available only for the most expensive luxury-line equipment - and begins with the XIX 200 only at 47.250 Euro. For this, it includes high-tech gadgets such as the ventilation controls with wireless LED lighting, which draw their energy from the electromagnetic resonance between two coils.

Lexus UX 250 / 250h - Specifications:
Five-seater compact SUV, length: 4,50 meters, width: 1,84 meters (without mirrors), height: 1,54 meters, wheelbase: 2,64 meters, trunk volume: 452/438 liters (401 with E-Four Drive)  

Lexus UX 250h (values ​​in brackets with E-four drive):
2,0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine: 112 kW / 152 PS, maximum torque: 190 Nm at 4.400-5.200 rpm, electric motor: 80 kW / 109 PS, torque: 202 Nm, system performance: 135 kW / 184 PS, continuously variable transmission, 0-100 km / h: 8,5 (8,7) s, Vmax: 177 km / h, fuel consumption: 4,1 (4,4) l / 100 km, CO2 emissions: 94 (101) g / km, emission standard: Euro 6d -temp, efficiency class: A + (A)
Price: from 35.900 (39.200) Euro

Lexus UX 250:
2,0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine: 126 kW / 171 HP, maximum torque: 205 Nm at 4.800 rpm, continuously variable automatic transmission, 0-100 km / h: 9,2 s, Vmax: 190 km / h, fuel consumption: 5,5 l / 100 km, CO2 emissions: 126 g / km, emission standard: Euro 6d-temp, efficiency class: C
Price: from € 33.950

Brief description:
Why: because he stands out on the street and is really thrifty in the city
Why not: because the cockpit is cut quite narrow and the trunk is quite small 
What else: Audi Q3, BMW X1, VW Tiguan, Skoda Karoq, Mercedes GLA, Volvo XC40
When he comes: 16. March 2019