We got a 2019 Lexus UX teaser last week, with a proper look now, during the official unveiling at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show. The muscular little UX is the company’s first-ever compact luxury crossover, joining the family of GX, LX, NX, and three-row RX sport utilities.
Here’s our look at the entire Lexus SUV model lineup.
2019 Lexus UX 200 and UX 250h Availablity and Price
Production began in the fall of 2018, then the UX 200 and UX 250h arrived at dealerships in December 2018. Here’s how much the 2019 UX cost when it first arrived in North America:
United States:
- Lexus UX 200: The starting price for the UX 200 in the U.S. was approximately $32,000 to $34,000.
- Lexus UX 250h (Hybrid): The starting price for the UX 250h hybrid model in the U.S. was approximately $34,000 to $36,000.
Canada:
- Lexus UX 200: The starting price for the UX 200 in Canada was approximately $37,000 to $39,000.
- Lexus UX 250h (Hybrid): The starting price for the UX 250h hybrid model in Canada was approximately $40,000 to $42,000.
The Lexus UX features to know about
New platform
It’s all about smaller crossovers these days, targeting urbanites with active lifestyles. The UX crossover is no exception but plays in the luxury segment for those willing to spend a bit more.
The UX will sit on a completely new platform with a focus on better handling via a more rigid design sporting a lower centre of gravity. Lexus calls it the GA-C platform (Global Architecture – Compact), and the UX is the first in the family to be using it.
Exterior Design
Despite its compact size, this smaller utility flosses a more muscular look from the bold haunches and high beltline to that oversized, in-your-face grill we’re familiar with across the Lexus lineup.
Rolling on new 17-inch and 18-inch aluminum wheel designs exclusive to the UX, the five-spoke 17-inch wheels feature a world-first aerodynamic design, according to Lexus.
A new Lexus signature feature includes full-width taillights with a distinctive nighttime signature formed by 120 LEDs and tapering toward the center, measuring 3mm thick at its narrowest point.
Making parking duties in those tight spaces easier, the UX finds a best-in-segment 34-foot turning circle paired with the 103.9-in. wheelbase and 177-inch length.
2019 Lexus UX Interior
Inside, the cabin combines a highly focused driver’s cockpit with a wide and inviting passenger space; the instrument panel and cabin trim offer a choice of two different grain patterns and four colours.
The idea here is to blur the boundary between a home’s exterior and interior. We’re not entirely sure what that means, but if you like the spacey Lexus look, you’ll be a fan of the UX’s interior, focusing on a more seamless feel.
Sitting in the driver’s seat, the upper section of the instrument panel appears to extend out beyond the windshield, giving the driver a decent field of vision and a clear sense of the vehicle’s dimensions. Viewed from outside the vehicle, the hood connects directly to the instrument panel through the windshield.
2019 Lexus UX 200: New CVT transmission
| Specification | 2019 Lexus UX 200 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0L 4-cylinder engine |
| Horsepower | 169 horsepower |
| Torque | 151 lb-ft of torque |
| Transmission | 10-speed Direct-Shift CVT automatic |
| Drivetrain | Front-wheel drive (FWD) |
| 0-60 mph Acceleration | Approximately 8.9 seconds |
| Top Speed | Approximately 118 mph |
| Fuel Type | Regular unleaded gasoline |
| Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | Approximately 29 mpg city / 37 mpg highway |
The 169 horsepower UX 200 finds a 2.0L inline four-cylinder powerplant focused on providing ultra-efficiency paired with a new CVT. This new transmission, dubbed Direct Shift-CVT, is a Lexus-first.
Not everyone is a fan of this type of tranny, but it’s making its way into most vehicles. Why? Because it focuses on adding more efficiency by combining the smooth, fuel-efficient performance of a conventional continuously variable transmission with a more direct driving feel.
Because the gears reduce the need for the CVT’s pulleys and belt mechanism to be used in the low range, more of the CVT’s ratio spread can be dedicated to the higher range, maximizing efficiency.
2019 Lexus UX 250H: All-wheel drive hybrid crossover
| Specification | 2019 Lexus UX 250h |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0L 4-cylinder hybrid engine |
| Total System Horsepower | 181 horsepower |
| Torque | Not specified |
| Transmission | Electronically controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (ECVT) |
| Drivetrain | All-wheel drive (AWD) |
| 0-60 mph Acceleration | Approximately 8.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | Not specified |
| Fuel Type | Regular unleaded gasoline |
| Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | Approximately 41 mpg city / 38 mpg highway |
You can’t have a new Lexus without a hybrid in the mix – the Japanese automaker was the first brand to introduce a luxury hybrid 15 years ago.
The 2019 UX 200H sports a new-generation hybrid powertrain with a projected output of 176 total system horsepower. This model also benefits from an all-wheel drive setup by using an additional electric motor on the rear axle.
2019 Lexus UX F SPORT: Available for both models
For good measure, Lexus throws in the F SPORT treatment for both the UX 200 and the hybrid 200H, opening up the new crossover to better driving dynamics.
Expect exclusive F SPORT suspension tuning with specific springs and stabilizer bars, plus rear performance dampers to sharpen handling agility, with an optional UX-tailored version of the high-response Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) system that brings with it the Sport S+ mode in the vehicle’s Drive Mode Select system.
Of course, you get some cosmetic updates with the UX F SPORT, including a mesh version of the spindle grille, 18-inch alloy wheels, jet-black trim on the front and rear moldings, an instrument meter with a moving outer ring, an F SPORT steering wheel with a dimpled leather covering, and an 8-inch TFT colour display, plus sports aluminum pedals and footrest.
2019 UX 200 F Sport Photos
