COZY UP FRONT, CRAMPED IN THE BACK

New Lexus crossover hybrid offers cuddles in tiny package

Is the new Lexus UX 250h small crossover hybrid worth a second look?

Conventional wisdom: Car and Driver likes that it’s “enjoyable to drive” and has a “convincingly upscale interior, generous standard features,” but not the “unrefined engine noises, annoying infotainment touchpad, small cargo area.”

Marketer’s pitch: “Category-leading. Categorydefying.”

Reality: It’s better if you don’t look at it, at least the outside. But the UX is nice in all other regards.

What’s new: The whole thing. The UX line is Lexus’ foray into the smallest crossover category, starting with the 2019 model year.

From the outside, sadly, it looks as if it’s right out of the Toyota stable, with nondescript angles and the appearance of something I might have hammered together in my dad’s shop when I was 4.

But, take a moment to

step inside. Lexus has made a fortune by allowing people to step into luxury — no matter how much the outside looks like a Camry or a Norelco Microscreen — and the UX does not fail on this count.

The UX comes with probably the most comfortable driver’s seat I have parked in ever. It’s a small crossover, so large people might be a little squeezed, but the seat is cushioned with magic and cuddles, as most Lexuses are.

The UX with the 8speaker Lexus Premium sound system is definitely for audiophiles. I heard pieces of songs that I haven’t heard since … the last time I drove a Lexus. It came as part of a $2,200 package that provided a 10.3-inch navigation screen and tilt/telescoping wheel (which didn’t slide out as far or as high as I would have liked). It’s still attached to the Lexus touchpad, and I must be getting better at it. I never pounded angrily on this one. Volume and tuning are controlled by roller dials in the armrest, an unusual setup. It works, not wonderfully, but it’s easier than the touchpad.

Changing lanes: Look really hard and adjust the sideview mirrors carefully. I almost sideswiped a car on my right even though I’d checked the mirror and turned my head. The blindspot monitor ($500) activated only after honking commenced. The rear windows grow short quickly, and a large pillar obscures a whole lot of road.

The hybrid powertrain system creates 181 horses, and the vehicle gets to 60 mph in a lethargic 8.6 seconds, according to Toyota.

The UX handles nicely on curves and highways both. The Sport mode makes the curves extra fun but can be a hair touchy for highway driving. Normal mode actually handles acceptably on winding roads as well. The special hybrid setup in the test vehicle was not optimized for acceleration, but it worked fairly well nonetheless. The powertrain emits a big whine under hard acceleration, but the feel is crisp and clean.

Friends and stuff: All the comfort I gushed about above is for front-seat passengers only. People in the rear have zero legroom, even behind a 5-10 driver like myself.

The UX is surprisingly small. Foot room behind the driver’s seat is also almost nonexistent. Headroom is fine, though. Note: No Sturgis kids were harmed in the making of this review.