PLUG IN AND POWER UP
THE first Lexus batterypowered sUV is raring to go — with order books opening up at the start of the month. Named the UX 300- e, the familyoriented off-roader comes in three grades: the standard UX priced from £40,900, Premium Plus Pack from £44,400 and the top- end takumi Pack (which i tried) from £50,500.
Prices are after the Government’s £3,000 plug-in vehicle grant is taken off.
One trick worth knowing is that the taxpayer-funded grant is normally capped at £50,000. But, as the standard UX 300- e costs less than that, customers are not penalised for adding the takumi Pack (which bumps the gross pre-grant price up to £53,500).
so what’s it like to drive? though technically it is a compact urban sUV, it feels roomy and high-riding. it’s sprightly enough and smooth, refined and well-balanced to
drive. it whizzes along dual- carriageways and A-roads, and has a bit of poke thanks to its friction-free early electric acceleration.
it’s quiet most of the time but with some road noise on uneven surfaces — maybe enhanced by the 18in wheels on my car’s trim level (17in is standard).
Powered by a 150kW/204hp motor and 54.3kW battery, it goes from rest to 62mph in 7.5 seconds to a 100mph top speed. total range is 196 miles, which is fine for commuters.
it has two charging ports — one for a domestic wall-box, the other for a fast DC commercial version. Charging to 80 per cent takes 50 minutes on a rapid charger or eight hours at home.
People will love or hate the quirky infotainment touch-pad in the centre console, which gives a reassuring clunk when activated. the boot is roomy enough for a small family’s luggage, with 367 litres of space before the rear seats are put down. Hi-tech kit includes a pre-collision system with nighttime pedestrian protection.
first orders on November 1 will be delivered in March.
By 2025, Lexus will have electric versions of all of its models.