Lexus’ 2025 UX 300h emerges as a compact luxury crossover, ready to take on competitors like the BMW X1 and Volvo XC40. With its elegant design and eco-friendly hybrid engine, it appeals to drivers seeking a blend of style and sustainability in the subcompact SUV segment.
DESIGN
Lexus enhances the 2025 UX300h with a more powerful hybrid system, delivering 196 horsepower, up from 181. This upgrade comes from a new lithium-ion battery and refined electric motors. Finished in striking Ultrasonic Blue Mica, the 2025 model also features a larger digital gauge display and improved driver-assistance systems, offering a blend of performance, technology, and style for urban driving.
PERFORMANCE
Lexus extends its hybrid expertise with the UX300h, integrating a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and an electric motor to drive the front wheels. A second motor can engage the rear wheels when necessary, delivering all-wheel drive. This setup pairs with a continuously variable transmission, providing smooth performance, while the front MacPherson struts and rear multi-link suspension ensure stability.
Lexus claims a combined 196 horsepower from the hybrid powertrain, though peak torque figures remain undisclosed. The F SPORT version offers adjustable dampers that adjust to the driving mode, enhancing comfort. Shifts between the engine and electric motor are smooth, though there’s a subtle but noticeable transition as power is blended.
Lexus’ fifth-generation hybrid system works efficiently, offering solid performance. It accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in just over 8 seconds, a decent but not thrilling figure. While the ride quality is generally comfortable, the run-flat tires can introduce some jarring sensations. Steering feels somewhat disconnected, lacking the sharpness expected in a vehicle of this caliber.
A driving mode selector on the instrument panel offers five settings—Eco, Normal, Sport, Sport+, and Custom. These modes adjust throttle and suspension responses, but the differences are minimal, making them hardly noticeable during everyday driving. The inclusion of a lap timer seems out of place in a vehicle like this, considering its moderate power output.
VERDICT
For the 2025 Lexus UX 300h F Sport AWD, the base price is $43,035, but with various options such as the Head-Up Display, Premium Paint, and Bi-Tone Paint, the final price can climb to $49,445.
