What kind of vehicle is the 2025 Lexus UX? What does it compare to?
The 2025 Lexus UX 300h is a subcompact luxury crossover. Compare it to the Audi Q3, Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class, and BMW X1.
Is the 2025 Lexus UX a good SUV?
It’s not very spacious and it can get expensive when fully loaded, but the 2025 Lexus UX delivers great fuel economy and plenty of style. It rates 6.5 out of 10 on the TCC scale. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
What’s new for the 2025 Lexus UX?
Lexus’ smallest crossover SUV gets a new hybrid powertrain consisting of a 2.0-liter inline-4 paired with an electric motor (or, optionally, two electric motors), a lithium-ion battery pack, and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The combo is good for 196 hp, a welcome 15-hp bump over last year’s model. A new UX 300h name reflects the updated powertrain.
Otherwise, more versions of the UX now come with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and the automaker has upgraded its suite of crash-avoidance technology.
Unchanged is the way the UX looks, starting with its tightly pinched spindle grille and culminating in a profile that’s more like a bulky hatchback than a small crossover SUV. It’s not pretty, but it’s nonetheless interesting—and, hey, Lexus offers a lot of fun paint colors. Inside, the UX lacks the high-end touches we’ve come to expect from the brand’s other models, though what’s there is organized well for the most part.
The UX generally has a composed, if soft ride, and its light steering makes it nimble in town. F Sport Handling versions are quite expensive, but they’re also more fun to drive thanks to bigger 18-inch alloy wheels and adaptive dampers. They also have special tuning for their electric power steering with more heft and better feedback.
Braking power is good, but the UX doesn’t have much in the way of pedal feel. That’s not unusual for hybrids since they capture otherwise wasted energy from braking and pump it back into the battery pack.
Speaking of its hybrid virtues, the 2025 Lexus UX is estimated to return as high as 43 mpg combined, making it a very frugal choice.
Stretching just 177 inches long, the Lexus UX is sized right for city use but probably not ideal for hauling around a growing family. Its interior has a contemporary, sophisticated look with generally nice materials and comfortable front seats with power adjustments. Rear-seat riders have scant legroom and limited headroom, and the cargo area is on the small side for the segment.
Lexus packs an impressive amount of crash-avoidance and driver-assistance tech into the UX, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, active lane control, and blind-spot monitors. This small crossover SUV has recently earned a Top Safety Pick+ award as well as a NHTSA five-star rating.
How much does the 2025 Lexus UX cost?
This year, the base Lexus UX 300h starts at $37,715. That price nets 8-way power-adjustable front seats, synthetic leather upholstery, 18-inch alloy wheels, and an 8.0-inch touchscreen with app-based navigation as well as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
Where is the 2025 Lexus UX made?
In Kyushu, Japan.
