2021 Lexus UX

In the 23 years since Lexus launched the original RX, premium crossovers have proliferated, filling in every possible size niche with car-like ride quality and SUV-like utility. The premium brand now offers a trio of crossovers, and the newest and smallest of them is the UX. Introduced in 2019, it competes with the smallest premium machines, including the Audi Q3, Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class, BMW X1 and the slightly larger Cadillac XT4.

The littlest Lexus is a stylish and fuel-efficient machine. It comes in two basic varieties, the front-wheel drive UX 200 and the all-wheel drive UX 250h, the only hybrid in the segment. 

The model gets only minimal changes for 2021, with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alerts now standard, and a height-adjustable cargo floor added to the hybrid. The two UX varieties have three trims each. The base UX 200 starts at $34,025, including a $1,025 destination fee. Above that are the 200 F Sport ($36,025) and Luxury ($38,725). 

Those three same trims on the UX 250h are each $2,200 more. It’s money well-spent though, as the UX 250h offers more power, better gas mileage, and standard all-wheel drive.

The UX 200 has a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine making 169 horsepower. The UX 250h uses the same engine, but with a hybrid system including two electric motors for a combined 181 system horsepower. Even with extra oomph from the electric motors, the UX can be a bit pokey. It handles your driving needs, but when asked for passing power things can get noisy. 

Once it’s moving though, the UX is decently dynamic to drive. With its small size, smooth cornering and tight turning radius, it feels agile. The steering is light but not vague, and the all-wheel drive keeps it firmly planted.

The F Sport version looks fast, with an aggressive body kit and available red interior not unlike that of the Honda Civic Type R. It also has paddle shifters, which let you “shift” between simulated gears. Cosmetic additions aside, with the F Sport you get more engine noise but no more speed.

What it may lack in urge the UX more than makes up for in efficiency. The UX 200 returns an estimated EPA rating of 29 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, and 33 mpg combined. That’s 5 to 7 mpg better than either the Q3 or the GLA-Class. The UX 250h is even better at 41/38/39. That’s 12 to 15 mpg better in combined rating than the X1 or XT4. Best of all, the UX 250h uses regular gas, while the 200 requires premium.

All UX models use a continuously variable transmission (CVT). On the UX 250, the gas/electric combination drives the front wheels, while a third electric motor drives the rear wheels in slippery conditions. There’s no mechanical connection between the front and rear axles, so there are fewer moving parts and all-wheel drive causes no fuel penalty.

The styling is chunky but well-proportioned. While the Lexus “spindle” grille can be overpowering on some models, it looks fine here. There are three 18-inch wheel choices and ten exterior colors, although some cost up to $595 extra.

The cabin is handsome and well-finished, and it’s tough to tell that the NuLuxe upholstery isn’t actually cowhide. Most controls are simple to use, with climate functions handled by toggle switches. Available features include heated and ventilated seats, a power sunroof, a head-up display and wireless charging.

The 10.3-inch multimedia screen is beautifully incorporated into the dash, rather than stuck on top. All trims include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility and three years of Lexus’ connected services. Sadly, the pretty screen isn’t touch-activated. Instead, it’s controlled by a maddening console-mounted touchpad. It’s difficult to accurately use the screen’s cursor when you’re sitting still, and even harder at 40mph. Many drivers will want to use voice commands to help avoid this dangerous distraction.

That flaw notwithstanding, the UX scores high for crash safety. It gets a Top Safety Pick from IIHS and a five-star rating from NHTSA. All trims include ten airbags, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping and lane-centering assist, automatic high-beams, road sign assist, and forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection.

This is a subcompact, and that means limited interior space. Lexus has devoted much of it to front-seat occupants. They get 42 inches of legroom, and that’s two extra inches over the Audi Q3 and BMW X1. But while the Q3 provides 36 inches of rear legroom, and the X1 37 inches, those in the UX’s back seat make do with just 33 inches. 

Cargo capacity in the UX is 17.1 cubic-feet with the movable floor in the upper position, and 21.7 with it lowered. The X1 also has 21.7 cubic-feet and the Q3 23.7, but in both cases the volume doubles with the rear seats folded. Lexus does not quote a cargo volume for the UX with the seats folded, but given that both the X1 and Q3 have more rear legroom, it’s fair to say the UX has less cargo space overall. The stylishly-slanted liftgate is partly to blame, cutting into space. The hatch opening is small too, and it’s a high reach over the bumper to load cargo.

For many drivers, and particularly those not in a hurty, the UX 250h puts all the right stuff together in a premium package. Its subcompact footprint does limit cargo space, but it’ll fit almost anywhere and leads the class in fuel-efficiency by a country mile. It may not be perfect,  but it’s definitely worth a look.