The Weekly Advertiser Horsham

Lexus UX to draw new buyers

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Lexus Australia’s box-fresh UX small SUV is expected to add about 2500 incrementa­l sales to the luxury brand’s bottom line this year, and will also serve as a prominent conquest model.

However, Lexus Australia chief executive Scott Thompson said the UX will likely only place as the brand’s second best-selling model, despite the popularity of the premium crossover segment.

“The UX is probably not going to be our number-one seller,” he said.

“We still believe NX will be the number-one seller for us – at least for the foreseeabl­e future, based on market trends and consumer interest – but it’s going to be a valuable addition.

“With the addition of UX, we’ve got a full-compliment luxury SUV range now spread across the entire market.”

Last year, Lexus shifted 3697 units of the NX mid-size crossover, up 9.1 percent compared to 2017, which means the expected circa-2500 sales of the UX will place it comfortabl­y in front of the RX large SUV – 2051, up 10.4 percent – and IS mid-size sedan – 1089, down 28.5 percent.

Choice will be key to the UX’S appeal, which Mr Thompson expects will draw in new buyers to the Lexus brand, as well as more women.

“We brought in every single variant we can from Japan – whether that be engine variant, colour and trim option – and UX, we believe, is probably going to bring in a higher female skew, and definitely a younger demographi­c,” he said.

As Lexus’ first entrant into the booming $40,000-plus small-suv segment, the UX will square up against the likes of the market-leading Mercedes-benz GLA, BMW X1, and Audi’s Q3 and Q2.

The UX will kick off from $44,450 plus on-road costs for the base UX200 front-wheel-drive Luxury grade that is propelled by a 126kw-205nm naturally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine.

Opting for the Sport Luxury grade raises UX200 pricing to $53,000, while the top-spec 2.0-litre F Sport commands a $53,450 asking price.

Paired to a direct-shift continuous­lyvariable transmissi­on, D-CVT, with a traditiona­l first gear – first seen on Toyota’s new 12th-generation Corolla small car – all Lexus UX200S have their fuel economy rated at 5.8 litres per 100 kilometres on the combined cycle test and emit 132 grams of CO2 a kilometre. Maximum towing capacity is also rated at 750kg.

Buyers also have a choice of a petrol-hybrid powertrain – the only electrifie­d model in the $40,000-plus small-suv segment – with the frontdrive UX250H, available in Luxury, Sports Luxury and F Sport trim for $47,950, $56,000 and $56,950 respective­ly.

Teaming a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with two electric motors, the hybrid UX produces combined system outputs of 131kw and 202Nm. Mated to a CVT, the electrifie­d UX sips just 4.5L-100km and emits 103gkm of CO2.

All-wheel-drive versions of the UX250H Sports Luxury and F Sport are also on offer, at $61,000 and $61,450 respective­ly, which add 55kg to the kerb weight and raise fuel consumptio­n to 4.7L-100km and CO2 emissions to 107g-km.

Standard equipment across the range includes 17-inch alloy wheels shod in 215-60 Bridgeston­e rubber, roof rails, full LED lighting, heated and power exterior mirrors, Eco, Normal and Sport drive-mode selector, and an acoustic windscreen.

Inside, the Luxury grade is fitted with a leather-accented steering wheel and shift lever, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, power-adjustable and heated front pews, keyless entry and start, a 7.0-inch driver display and Lexus’ 10.3-inch infotainme­nt system with satellite navigation, an eightspeak­er sound system, digital radio, Bluetooth connectivi­ty and a haptic feedback touchpad.

Safety systems include adaptive cruise control, traffic-sign recognitio­n, automatic high beams, pre-collision warning, blind-spot monitor, a reversing camera, rear cross-traffic alert and eight airbags.

 ??  ?? DRIVEN: The new UX small SUV is expected to be Lexus Australia’s second best-selling model.
DRIVEN: The new UX small SUV is expected to be Lexus Australia’s second best-selling model.

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