Lexus has upgraded its popular UX Hybrid subcompact luxury crossover for 2025 with its fifth-generation hybrid powertrain.
It’s more powerful, the most fuel-efficient, with mileage numbers that are almost Toyota Prius-like. It’s also the least expensive in the carmakers line.
As the smallest entry-level Lexus SUV, it was initially offered in UX 250h form, but with a bump-up in power, the UX has been rebadged as the UX 300h.
Offered in FWD and AWD and in Premium, F Sport Design with special trim and F Sport Handling with sportier suspension, we tested the Premium trim model. And it is premium inside and out.
Starting with the family familiar spindle grille front end, UX 300h sports a classy, chiseled look. Lexus designers added a nice hint of a spoiler at the base of the liftgate for an added sporty look.
Interior wise and with a low 17-inch step-in, the cockpit is svelte in design with friendly ergonomics. Heated/cooled front seats are nicely bolstered and exceptionally padded. And a large, vivid, 12.3-inch touchscreen adorns the dash with a host of functions and features including a rearview camera, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Cloud navigation, apps, satellite radio plus HVAC functions that can be selected there, as well as on the traditional HVAC panel.
Over on the digital gauge cluster, it provides a variety of supplemental information such as features, functions and alerts that are part of the driver information display within in. There’s also a head-up-display on the lower portion of the driver’s windshield. On the right side of the gauge hood, a rotary Drive Mode switch sprouts out for Eco, Variable and Sport modes.
A nice wide console houses the CVT automatic transmission gear selector along with an EV Mode all-electric switch for power on short trips to the local grocery store, Home Depot or other brief runs. The drive motor battery re-charges itself through braking and other hybrid system functions. There’s also a wireless phone charger in front of the gear selector.
Back seats are nicely padded but leg room is limited for two. And if the front seats are racked well rearward, there’s virtually no leg room. But headroom is sufficient for average sized adults.
UX 300h’s cargo area is spacious with a low 31-inch lift over onto the cargo floor. With the split folding rear seats upright, there’s 17.2 cubic feet of cargo space that measures 28.5 inches deep, 40.5 wide and 23 high. Flip the seatbacks and loading depth extends to 63 inches. Like all Lexus vehicles, the carmaker thoughtfully puts a First Aid Kit in the cargo area. And for added small item storage, there’s a 5-inch deep bin encompassing almost the entire underfloor.
With the added grunt of the 300h, the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder along with the hybrid system provides a total system output of 196-hp. As such, the Lexus did a 0-60 sprint in a relatively quick 7.9 seconds. Not bad for its 3,575-pound curb weight. Coupled to the CVT transmission, EPA rates the UX 300h at an impressive 44 city, 40-highway mpg.
UX 300h rides like all Lexus vehicles. Quietly and more so when under hybrid and EV power. It’s a smooth ride with a suspension that makes unimproved railroad crossings and pocked mark streets merely a ripple. And it parks easily as well with its short 176.97-inch overall length. And for snowy weather, UX 300h has 6.3 inches of ground clearance that should be able to handle modest snow depths.
UX 300h comes standard with a long list of standard features and important safety items such as blind spot monitoring and many more. It came with a base price of $41,110, but a standard UX 300h it starts at around $37,690. Added to the test car price was the wireless phone charger ($75); Cold Area package ($250); Head-Up Display ($900); Lexus Interface w/Cloud Nav, 4G capable, XM radio and the larger 12.3-inch touchscreen ($1,405); premium paint ($95) all of which took the bottom line to $45,485 with delivery.
To its credit, UX 300h received the government’s top 5-star overall rating plus four stars for driver/passenger frontal crash; five stars for front/rear seat side crash and four for rollover. All standout ratings in its crossover class.
If you’ve never driven a Lexus, take a UX 300h for a test drive and you’ll
