The Lexus UX is the smallest offering in the luxury brand's five-strong SUV lineup, with a footprint about as large as the Toyota Corolla Hatchback. More a tall 4-door hatchback car than a rock-hopping SUV, the UX has a decidedly urban mission. It has a tidy, easy-to-park, highly maneuverable size, fuel-sipping powertrain, slightly elevated seating position, and flexible cargo bay.
For 2023, the UX gets its first significant refresh since Lexus introduced it in 2019. Updates include an all-new infotainment system, a revised center console with more storage, upgraded advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), and, consistent with the brand's electrification plan, a switch to an all-hybrid powertrain. The UX 250h hybrid model adds a new, less-expensive front-wheel-drive (FWD) version this year alongside the long-running UX 250h all-wheel-drive (AWD) model.
The Lexus UX competes in the Small Premium SUV segment along with the Audi Q3, BMW X1, BMW X2, Jaguar E-Pace, Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, Mercedes-Benz GLA, Volvo C40, and Volvo XC40.
Including the $1,150 destination charge, available FWD trims for the 2023 model year range from the $35,925 base UX 250h, $38,385 UX 250h Premium, $38,385 UX 250h F Sport Design, and $43,355 UX 250h F Sport Handling. All-wheel drive is a $1,400 upcharge for all trims. Lexus has discontinued the previous non-hybrid UX 200.
Previously, JD Power reviewed the 2019 Lexus UX. This review focuses on the UX's updates for 2023 and how they potentially impact its overall appeal to consumers.
Photo: Ron Sessions
The Lexus UX competes in the Small Premium SUV market segment. According to data collected from verified new-vehicle buyers for the JD Power 2022 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, 63 percent of new Lexus UX buyers are female (vs. 55 percent for the segment), and the median age of a new UX buyer is 56 years (vs. 55).
As part of the APEAL Study, owners rated the Lexus UX in 10 primary categories. Listed below in descending order, you'll find their preferences from their most favorite thing about the vehicle to their least favorite:
In the 2022 APEAL Study, the Lexus UX ranks sixth out of six Small Premium SUV models.
In the sections that follow, our independent expert analyzes a Lexus UX 250h F Sport Handling equipped with the following options:
The test vehicle's price came to $50,040, including the $1,150 destination charge.
Photo: Ron Sessions
According to the 2022 APEAL Study, Lexus UX owners give the infotainment system in their SUV low ratings. For the 2023 model year, Lexus ditches the UX's quirky, console-mounted remote touch interface used in 2019-2022 models for the brand's new Lexus Interface multimedia system. For 2023, the standard infotainment screen size increases from 7 to 8 inches. Also, the uplevel screen included with F Sport Handling trim and available with Premium trim goes from 10.3 (with the optional 2019-2022 navigation system) to 12.3 inches.
Regardless of size, Lexus moved both 2023 screens closer to the driver to make content easier to see at a glance and enable a quicker selection of touchscreen functions. The new screens are brighter than before with good contrast, utilizing smartphone anti-glare technology. Users can now easily access infotainment functions via generously sized touchscreen tiles and fingertip-close steering-wheel buttons. Lexus wisely kept the time-proven, quick-to-adjust-on-the-fly analog volume control knob to the left of the screen.
The big change, however, is the upgrading of the UX's voice control functions. In addition to access via a dedicated button on the left steering wheel spoke, you can now select voice control by saying a key phrase such as "Hello, Lexus" or "Hey, Lexus." Doing either wakes up the voice-control assistant, which then asks how it can be of assistance. Then, the driver or front passenger can tell it to do myriad tasks, such as changing the radio station, choosing a different audio source, calling a contact from a paired phone, finding and navigating to the closest delicatessen, or changing the cabin temperature. It's a big plus in reducing driver distractions from finding and tapping buttons and scrolling through onscreen menus.
Since 2020, Lexus has equipped all UX SUVs with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (the 2019 model just had Apple CarPlay). The automaker now includes wireless versions of those smartphone-mirroring technologies that help eliminate console USB-cable clutter. Conveniently, you can pair two phones to the new system simultaneously.
The standard audio system is a 6-speaker AM/FM stereo with a three-month Sirius XM satellite radio trial. From 2019 to 2022, Lexus included an optional 8-speaker premium system with the larger infotainment screen. The automaker expands that to an immersive 10-speaker array for 2023.
The new UX is available with a slew of connected services, some standard and some by subscription. Using the Lexus app during a three-year trial, owners can access their UX remotely to lock and unlock doors, start the engine, turn on the headlamps, check vehicle status, and such via the Remote Connect service. A standard 10-year Safety Connect trial includes 24/7 roadside assistance, an SOS button, a stolen-vehicle locator, and automatic collision notification. Another 10-year trial of Service Connect can deliver vehicle health reports and maintenance reminders.
Included with the larger 12.3-inch touchscreen display is a three-year trial of Cloud Navigation, Intelligent Assistant, and Destination Assist. Google point-of-interest data continuously updates Cloud Navigation via over-the-air updates. The Intelligent Assistant expands on the abilities of the standard voice-control functions with updated weather and location-based notifications. Destination Assist can provide trip assistance from a live operator. Wi-Fi Connect is also available on a subscription basis.
For 2023, Lexus Interface with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, a three-year trial of Drive Connect with Cloud Navigation, Intelligent Assistant, and Destination Assist, plus the 10-speaker premium audio is a $1,405 option on Premium trim (not available with base or F Sport Design trim). It is standard with F Sport Handling trim.
According to JD Power study data, another aspect of the Lexus UX that owners aren't particularly fond of is the SUV's interior design. Lexus addresses this for 2023 as well. By removing the infotainment system's remote touch interface from the console (used in the 2019-2022 models), Lexus was able to improve the functionality of the UX's center console.
For 2023, the well in which the available wireless charger resides is deeper, accommodating a pair of USB ports and allowing for storage of non-metallic items when you're not charging a phone. Also, if the UX doesn't have a heated steering wheel and heated and ventilated front seats, a small coin tray (where the remote touch interface was on 2019-2022 models) is a handy place to stash the keyless remote.
The UX features a deep storage bin under the center armrest, which also has a clever dual-hinge design that allows you to open the lid from either the driver or passenger side, easing access to the contents therein.
Photo: Ron Sessions
From 2019 to 2022, the automaker equipped the UX with the Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 (LSS+ 2.0), including a forward-collision warning system with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning with steering assist, lane-centering assistance, adaptive cruise control, traffic-sign recognition, and automatic high-beam headlights. Not included in LSS+2.0 but standard in the UX since the 2021 model year are blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning.
New for 2023, Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 expands on these standard UX features as follows:
For 2023, the Lexus brand's smallest crossover SUV goes all-hybrid, with the UX 250h as the sole propulsion offering; Lexus discontinued the UX 200 gas version with FWD. This was a no-brainer for Lexus as going all-hybrid fits into the brand's electrification goal to reduce its carbon footprint. Besides, the UX 250h always outsold the UX 200, anyway. However, for buyers who want to save $1,400 and don't need or want the foul-weather traction and more balanced performance of AWD, Lexus is now offering the hybrid UX 250h for the first time with FWD. According to Lexus, the FWD hybrid is 122 pounds lighter than the AWD version.
Oddly, hybrid system power for the FWD and AWD versions of the UX 250h is the same—181 horsepower. Both utilize a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder gas engine paired with electric motor/generators up front, with one motor/generator functioning as an engine starter, generator, and engine speed regulator while the other drives the front wheels and doles out regenerative braking.
On the AWD version, a third motor/generator drives the rear wheels and helps with stability control. Motor/generators inside the continuously variable hybrid transaxle blend the propulsion of the gas engine and electric motors. Providing the juice for the hybrid system electrics is a 24-kW nickel-metal hydride battery pack tucked neatly under the somewhat cramped back seat.
With zero-to-60-mph acceleration in the mid-8-second range, neither version of the UX 250h is a drag queen, but the drive-off feel from rest is turbine smooth. Slipping the shifter into sequential mode will reel off 10 simulated gear ratios. F Sport models include steering-wheel paddle shifters.
Where the UX 250h shines is fuel economy. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the lighter FWD model at 43 mpg city/41 mpg highway/42 mpg combined; the AWD version is not far behind at 41 mpg city/38 mpg highway/39 mpg combined. On one particularly feather-footed trip of 260 miles in a second front-drive UX 250h, I managed an indicated 42.2 mpg. However, a small 10.6-gallon fuel tank limits the range of this small SUV to just a bit over 400 miles, which is longer than just about every battery-electric SUV or sedan currently offered.
Photo: Ron Sessions
For 2023, Lexus has addressed some of the UX's biggest shortcomings, such as the previous remote touch interface infotainment system and a lack of console storage. Other big plusses for the 2023 model include upgrading the UX's ADAS from LSS+ 2.0 to LSS+ 2.5, as well as expanding the more engaging F Sport Handling model to the UX 250h. While the UX 250h is no canyon carver, improved vehicle dynamics for 2023, courtesy of additional body structure welds and a reinforced steering gear mount, help the small SUV feel more connected to the road and responsive to the helm. And the expansion of the F Sport Handling trim to the UX 250h with its Yamaha-tuned suspension and adaptive dampers do their part to keep vertical body movement in check and take the edge off harsh impacts.
Tight rear-seat legroom unsuitable for full-grown adult comfort still saddles the 2023 model. Fuel economy, however, remains a major UX strong point, along with easy maneuverability and garageability compared to larger SUVs.
Ron Sessions is a seasoned vehicle evaluator with more than three decades of experience. He has penned hundreds of road tests for automotive and consumer websites, enthusiast magazines, newsletters, technical journals, and newspapers.
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