Lexus UX set to electrify market
With bold looks and great fuel economy, compact crossover sure to stand out in crowded segment
With the sales of compact crossovers rising faster than the price of gas, Lexus has decided to get in on the action. The company’s latest is the Urban X-over (crossover) or UX aimed at those who enjoy versatile luxury. Stylistically, it has an in-your-face look with available triple LED headlights and sharp creases everywhere; it’s destined to stand out in a crowded market.
The starting point is the UX 200. It arrives with an all-new 2.0-litre engine that pushes 168 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque through the front wheels and a directshift continuously variable transmission (CVT). The direct-shift part is found in a mechanical first gear.
Its use allows more torque to be fired through the transmission on take off because there’s no risk of slipping the steel drive belt. Once out of first gear, it functions like any other CVT, including having pre-determined shift points when the gas pedal is mashed.
The shifts mimic a regular automatic, which dispenses with the annoying “motorboating” feeling that’s the bane of most CVTs.
The second — and better — choice is the UX 250h hybrid. It uses the same 2.0-L engine, but is tuned to run on the Atkinson cycle and paired to two electric motors along with a 24-kilowatt nickel-metal hydride battery. The second electric motor drives the rear wheels, which gives the UX 250h all-wheel drive (eAWD). The rear motor is a straight induction unit; it reduces the drag effect caused by a permanent magnet motor, which improves fuel economy. The combination delivers a net system output of 175 horsepower. Lexus didn’t specify exact torque, but based on the drive the electric input gives the UX 250h a stronger launch and better mid-range when compared to the UX 200. It also has a better tonal quality.
For the record, the UX 200 takes 9.2 seconds to run from rest to 100 km/h; the AWD UX 250h cuts that to 8.7 seconds. More impressive is the hybrid’s economy. On the test route, it returned an average of 6.1 L/100 kilometres. That’s good by any standard and exceptional for a ride with allwheel-drive.
Lexus’ Drive Mode Select feature is standard on the UX. It offers Normal mode for everyday city driving and Eco for those chasing the best fuel economy, while Sport delivers a quicker throttle response and sharper driving characteristics. It was the most fun, although it’s a little too hyper for city use.