The premium Japanese brand Lexus has established a strong niche for itself in the UK with a range of high quality vehicles to suit most drivers, including hybrids. Now they’ve produced a fully electric version of their UX compact urban SUV. The thinking seems to be that the time is right given the expansion of the global EV charging network.
The 300e is in the ‘urban crossover’ style. It is near-silent and sharp to drive. Most importantly, it’s a Lexus so nothing has been overlooked. This version delivers exceptional craftsmanship, build quality, comfort and quietness. Apparently, by studying BEV (battery electric vehicle) noise patterns, the company have taken specific measures, such as fitting bespoke tyres and wheel arch liners that reduce the noise of gravel spatter and water and significantly reduce in-cabin noise. No detail was too small it seems, even the shift selector has been shaped by hand, we learn.
On The Outside
The new UX 300e shares a number of Lexus design features with the rest of the UX range, such as the signature spindle grille, sculpted character lines and a strong, coupé-like roof line. At the front, the daytime running lights are arranged in a distinctive arrowhead shape above the headlights, emphasising the Lexus L-shaped lighting design. According to model grade or option, the headlights are single-projector dual-beam or ultra-slim triple-projector units.
The 17 and 18 inch wheels have been created especially for the UX 300e and both designs are finished in a medium grey colour. As on the standard UX variant, the 17 inch wheels are aero-ventilating, with flaps on each side of the spokes. These regulate airflow and create vortices that increase downforce. This innovative design contributes to improved driving characteristics with stable braking performance, increased cooling efficiency and reduced air turbulence along the side of the car.
The UX’s established aerodynamic rear combination light reduces air pressure changes, contributing to excellent rear-end stability when cornering or driving in side winds. In short, they’ve thought this one through.
On The Inside
In common with the established UX range, the new UX 300e has a cabin inspired by the traditional Japanese architectural concept of ‘engawa’ by which inside and outside are seamlessly connected. This design approach gives the driver a better sense of the car’s extremities, making it easier to manoeuvre in tight urban spaces.
As with all UX models, key controls are clustered around the driver for quick and easy operation. The attention to detail includes a palm rest with integrated audio controls on the centre console. The instrument display has been revised in line with the UX 300e’s all- electric drivetrain, with a digital speedometer, driving range indicator and four-level deceleration indicator. In place of a conventional shift lever, the UX 300e has a shift-by-wire drive selector that fits snugly in the hand. The operation stroke has been shortened so rapid changes can be made between drive/neutral/reverse. The rear seats are also exclusive to the UX 300e, shaped to take into account the underfloor battery while maintaining passenger comfort.
The standard specification is in itself packed with features, including alloy wheels, aluminium roof rails, bi-LED headlights, LED fog lights, front and rear parking sensors, illuminated entry, eight-way power front seat adjustment, power lumbar adjustment on the driver’s seat, power steering wheel adjustment, seven-inch display, reversing camera with guidelines, six-speaker audio system with DAB, four USB ports and Aux socket, smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and three-pin and Type 2 charging cables. That seems pretty inclusive doesn’t it, yet there’s more found on the Premium model seen in our images.
The Premium Plus Pack (18 inch wheels optional) adds leather upholstery, heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, heated outer rear seats, rear privacy glass, smart keyless entry, card key, smartphone wireless charger and illuminated door handles with puddle lights.
It doesn’t stop there either: The Takumi Pack equips the car with all the Premium Plus Pack elements, together with 18 inch alloy wheels, Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert with auto brake, triple-eye LED headlights, auto-dimming rear view mirror, 360°panoramic view monitor, LED cornering lights, hands-free power tailgate, aluminium scuff plates, 13-speaker Mark Levinson Premium Surround Sound system, 10-3-inch Lexus Navigation, head-up display and a sunroof.
On The Road
The aero advances on this prestige car result in dynamic yet extremely refined driving quality. This is mainly due to the car’s low centre of gravity, thanks to the battery being located beneath the vehicle body and electric motor being set low in the bay where the engine used to be.
The UX 300e also has its own suspension and steering (aided by a strong rigid chassis and battery pack) and the BEV system has been engineered to maximise the electric motor’s powerful low-speed torque to deliver instant, linear acceleration response. Acceleration characteristics have been optimised for urban driving: at low throttle (stop-start driving for example), controllability of vehicle speed is prioritised; at mid to high throttle (merging onto motorways and the like), the focus is on continuous, powerful acceleration.
Lexus design has gone so far as to ensure smooth acceleration even when the driver’s use of the accelerator pedal is slightly erratic, which is a good ‘real world’ driving feature. Also, for a more comfortable ride, irregular speed fluctuations are reduced, even on changing road gradients. For engaging performance in situations such as frequent stop-and-go city driving and winding roads, deceleration can be controlled in four levels, using paddle shifts mounted on the steering wheel.
In use, the UX 300e delivers agile handling and pure, direct acceleration, giving the driver confidence and precise control. Cornering is enhanced by the car’s low centre of gravity, with all heavier components concentrated close to the centre of the vehicle. Drivers are usually quick to adapt to a BEV’s manners whereby acceleration is pure and linear, while deceleration is through four rhythmic and natural modes. The drivetrain features a high-output 201bhp (150kW) electric motor/generator that gives the car natural yet brisk acceleration.
It is powered by a new, high-capacity 54.35kWh battery located under the cabin floor. This gives a driving range of up to 196 miles.
All versions of the UX 300e are fitted as standard with the second generation Lexus Safety System+. This suite of active safety and driver assistance technologies helps reduce the likelihood and severity of a number of common accident risks. The features include a Pre-Collision System with pedestrian detection, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Trace Assist, Road Sign Assist and Automatic High Beam. Where the triple-eye LED headlights are specified (Takumi Pack), an Adaptive High-beam System is provided.
So, the Lexus UX 300e joins the growing ranks of the world’s electric car population. It seems that Lexus have waited for all the early BEV teething problems to be rectified and this has resulted in a car that seems mature and competent. Find out more about this car and other current model Lexus vehicles by contacting us here at MHH and learn how you can import them from the UK, VAT-free, to New Zealand, Kenya and other global destinations
