Thursday, March 28, 2024
ADVT 
Reviews

2022 Lexus UX 250h -Fuel efficient urban crossover

Benjamin Yong Darpan, 23 Jul, 2022 12:54 PM
  • 2022 Lexus UX 250h -Fuel efficient urban crossover

When Lexus teased the UX (short for urban crossover) Concept way back at the 2016 Paris Motor Show, the vehicle represented quite a design evolution from the then-current lineup. The production version manufactured a couple of years later, sold in gasoline and partially electrified form, proved to be a tad tamer, but even now still stands out on the road — particularly in the bright Redline colour Darpan tested.

“The Canadian compact luxury SUV segment is booming as drivers look for a vehicle that matches today’s urban lifestyle,” says Robert Tsang, Lexus Canada director, in a news release during the model’s initial launch.

“As the segment’s first self-charging hybrid, the UX 250h offers Canadian drivers everything they love about compact luxury SUV plus incredible performance with standard active safety features and fuel efficiency – at a price that makes it easy to embrace the advantages of Lexus electrification technology.”

While the bodylines have been smoothed over a bit, the UX remains quite faithful to the angular styling of the concept. The standard spindle grille adopts a geometric-style, block-shaped asymmetrical mesh pattern creating a truly 3-D aesthetic. The chunky black wheel arches remain — crafted to channel airflow for better aerodynamics — and the rear end features full-length tail lamps comprised of 120 LEDs looking particularly dazzling when illuminated at night.

At 4,495 millimetres long and 1,840 millimetres wide, the car-sized crossover fits well in the city and has a turning radius competitors would be jealous of. The only missing thing is factory tinted glass for warm weather comfort and privacy.

There’s no spider-web-inspired seats or see-through A-pillars inside but there are a few cool design tweaks. The instrument hood purposely sits low to increase the driver’s spatial awareness, and media controls are placed ahead of the armrest so tuning the radio station or changing the volume can be done without glancing away from the road. This setup works surprisingly well and usage quickly becomes second nature.

Our loaner was equipped with the F SPORT Series 2 package bundling a number of exterior and interior upgrades including black trim, exclusive 18-inch alloy wheels, triple LED adaptive headlights, digital instrument cluster, eight-speaker premium stereo, wallet-sized smart key card and a nice chunky heated leather wheel.

The hybrid is powered by an ultra-efficient combination 2.0-litre four-cylinder internal combustion engine and two electric motors, sending 181 net horsepower to all four wheels via an electric all-wheel drive system, mated to a continuously variable transmission. Especially during these uncertain economic times where gas prices are at record highs, this fuel-thrifty setup is a welcome one.

As mentioned above, the SUV is very car-like and doesn’t feel cumbersome to operate on narrow roads. The Macpherson front/multi-link rear suspension provides a tight handling experience, and it’s also easy to park thanks to the excellent ultrasonic sensors warning when objects are getting too close. A birds-eye 360-degree camera would be a bonus, but not necessary.

The 2022 Lexus UX 250h starts at $40,750. Next year, the vehicle receives a refresh increasing rigidity and improving quietness. In addition, there will be a bigger infotainment touchscreen and available active variable suspension as well.

Highlights (as tested):  

MSRP: $49,500

Motor: 2.0-litre four cylinder + two electric motors

Horsepower: 181 @ 6,000 rpm  

Torque (lb-ft): 221 (net)

Gearbox: CVT

Layout: front engine, all-wheel drive  

Fuel economy: 6.7 L/100 km mixed city/highway (observed)

 

 

 

 

MORE Reviews ARTICLES

Edmunds: 2022 Kia Sorento vs. Volkswagen Tiguan

Edmunds: 2022 Kia Sorento vs. Volkswagen Tiguan
Most compact SUVs seat five people. But there are a few that also come with a third-row seat to boost capacity up to seven passengers. While that third row is pretty small, it does give you an easier-to-park and less expensive alternative to a three-row midsize SUV. If this is an appealing option for you, check out the 2022 Kia Sorento and 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan.

Edmunds: 2022 Kia Sorento vs. Volkswagen Tiguan

2022 Infiniti QX60 review: Climbing the luxury ladder

2022 Infiniti QX60 review: Climbing the luxury ladder
The level of premium appointments in the interior is absolutely stunning. The cabin in our near grade-topping Sensory tester, slotting under the $67,995 Autograph, was draped in gorgeous melt-to-the-touch Saddle Brown semi-aniline leather with complementary hits of open pore ash wood looking elegant rather than gaudy as the trim sometimes can.

2022 Infiniti QX60 review: Climbing the luxury ladder

Mazda CX-50: New adventure-inspired SUV

Mazda CX-50: New adventure-inspired SUV
The most immediately noticeable outdoorsy aspect is the use of copious amounts of black body cladding on the bumpers, wheel arches and side sills. The addition of the off-road-ready armour complements the wind-swept lines of Kodo styling language surprisingly well, particularly in the desert-esque Zircon Sand Metallic paint colour of Darpan’s press loaner.

Mazda CX-50: New adventure-inspired SUV

Major makeover: 2022 Lexus IS 300

Major makeover: 2022 Lexus IS 300
The already-excellent Lexus Safety System+ suite of technologies benefits from a few additions such as enhanced camera and radar equipment to help the pre-collision detection spot not just oncoming vehicles but preceding cyclists and pedestrians as well.

Major makeover: 2022 Lexus IS 300

2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge still setting EV benchmark

2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge still setting EV benchmark
Formerly offering an already healthy range of 335 kilometres on a single charge of the 78 kilowatt-hour high-voltage battery, minor digital tweaks to energy and thermal management ups the number by 24 to a total of 359 kilometres. Owners of 2021 vehicles are also eligible for the upgrade.

2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge still setting EV benchmark

2022 Mercedes-AMG E 53 Coupe

2022 Mercedes-AMG E 53 Coupe
Though the fifth generation E-Class is now getting a little long in the tooth, a replacement is coming soon. To tide enthusiasts over, however, Mercedes-AMG revealed a face-lifted E 53 last year highlighting fresh styling, a revised cabin and the introduction of the company’s high tech Mercdes-Benz User eXperience (MBUX) infotainment system.

2022 Mercedes-AMG E 53 Coupe

PrevNext