ENJOY THE PERKS
YOU’LL PAY FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF GOING ELECTRIC
Lexus’s first fully electric SUV comes with a sizeable price tag of about $82,500 drive-away. That’s a lot of money for a compact SUV – roughly $20,000 more than the petrol frontdrive version of the UX. It does, however, have more equipment than the standard model. Our test car had heated imitation leather seats, a fantastic 13-speaker Mark Levinson audio unit, powered tailgate and wireless phone charging.
The large 10.3-inch centre touchscreen supports Apple Carplay and Android Auto, but the touchpad controller for navigating the menus is fiddly. The lack of a head-up display is a notable omission at this price point. It’s available on the more expensive Sports Luxury model.
THE OWNERSHIP EXPERIENCE IS TOP NOTCH
Lexus is renowned for its aftersales service and UX 300e owners are well and truly spoiled.
The maker will install a complimentary home wallbox charger, worth at least $2000, and owners also are eligible for free fast charging on the Chargefox network for three years. Lexus’s Encore Platinum package, usually reserved for more expensive vehicles, is standard and includes valet parking and access to a petrol car four times over the three-year subscription period, for up to eight days at a time. Vehicles can be picked up from airport valet parking and include the big LX 4WD, the LS limousine or the LC sports car. The vehicle warranty is five years and the battery is covered for up to 10 years, which is the best in the industry.
Services cost a reasonable at $295 each for the first five years.
IT’S NO SLOUCH OFF THE MARK
The UX’S electric motor produces 150kw of power and 300Nm of torque. That doesn’t sound like a lot but maximum torque comes instantaneously, so it feels lively off the mark. At times it’s a little too lively for the front wheels to keep up and enthusiastic application of the throttle can be accompanied by a fair bit of wheel spin.
Lexus says it will reach 100km/h in 7.5 seconds and it feels quicker by the seat of the pants.
THE RANGE ISN’T GREAT
Most of the EVS coming on to the market these days have more than 400km of range but the
Lexus claims just 305km on the WLTP cycle. That limits the appeal somewhat, as a short road trip to the country will have you glancing at the range readout fairly regularly.
Around town, you can extract more out of the 54.3KWH battery by selecting maximum brake regeneration via paddles on the steering wheel, but on the open road you won’t get near that 300-plus kilometre claim.
Charging isn’t super quick, either. While some rivals can take more than 200kw recharging speeds, the UX is limited to 50kw. Charging from 10 to 80 per cent will take an hour on a 50kw charger and about six and a half hours on the wall charger.
Lexus’s first electric SUV comes with ownership o benefits not offered by rivals RICHARD BLACKBURN
IT NAILS THE LUXURY BRIEF
The craftsmanship in the cabin is excellent. All the surfaces are soft to the touch, the carpet is plush and the attention to detail is second to none.
It doesn’t quite match the hi-tech displays of a Mercedes or Audi, but the quality of finishes is undeniable. It drives like a luxury vehicle, too. The cabin is whisper quiet and the suspension wafts over bumps and corrugations. The weight of the batteries low in the car helps keep the Lexus flat and stable through the corners and the steering is precise if lacking a little feedback.