Test – Lexus UX 300E (2023): a real battery, to rectify a false departure

Stop at the foot of the Forth bridge, near Edinburgh. At the end of our journey, consumption will be approximately 21 kWh/100 km, which is high given our driving and moderate temperature.

Lexus UX 300E

Configure your Lexus UX 300E vehicle or ask for a free trial.

Launched in 2020, the Lexus UX 300E is the very first electric SUV of the Japanese brand. Led by a motorization of more than 200 horsepower, it authorizes 300 km of autonomy in WLTP cycle.

Electric Lexus UX design

The UX 300E version shares everything with its hybrid counterpart, the UX 250H. Presented at the Guangzhou Salon in November 2019, she thus resumed the large typical grille from the brand, a body carved with the serpe and its body tinged with black. The only distinctions are the “Electric” and “UX 300E” badges, as well as the more aerodynamic rims.

With 4.50 meters long, the electric UX is positioned in the segment of electric family SUVs, where the Volvo XC40 is already recharged and the Audi Q4 e-tron. The 5 -seater interior is also completely identical.

Electric engine and performance of the Lexus UX 300E

Where most competitors play the sportiness card, the first electric lexus adopts a rather modest system. Installed at the front, the engine delivers a maximum power of 150 kW (204 hp) and a torque reaching 300 Nm. In terms of performance, the manufacturer communicates on a top speed of 160 km/h and on a 0 to 100 km/h shot in 7.5 seconds. In recovery, the 80 to 120 km/h is made in 5.3 seconds.

To use, the Lexus electric SUV incorporates three driving modes to which are added different regeneration features. Activated via the gear selector, the “B” mode (Brake) is supplemented by a device of steering wheel palettes to modulate the intensity of the engine brake.

UX 300th battery and autonomy

With 288 cells, lithium-ion batteries has 54.35 kWh of energy capacity 54.35 kWh. Integrated into the vehicle floor, it does not amputate the capacity of the trunk which climbs to 367 liters with the rear seat in place. In terms of autonomy, the manufacturer communicates on 400 km in NEDC cycle and on a range of 305 to 315 km in the mixed cycle WLTP cycle. This corresponds to an average consumption of 16.8 to 17.1 kWh/100 km.

Electric UX recharging

For recharging, the UX is equipped with two connectors. At the right back, the first integrates a type 2 socket for the alternating current. It allows up to 6.6 kW of power. Located on the left rear, the second is dedicated to the fast load with a Chademo connector climbing up to 50 kW.

Domestic outlet	10:30 p.m
Wallbox 6.6 kW	8:15 am
Quick terminal 50 kW	50 minutes at 80 %

Marketing and prices

Marketed in France since October 2020, the Lexus UX 300th is available in three finish levels. In terms of price, it starts from 49.990 € in its basic version.

LEXUS UX300E Pack	49.990 €
LEXUS UX300E Luxury	54.990 €
Lexus UX300E Executive	61.990 €

Below, the list (not exhaustive) of the equipment of the different versions:

• Pack: Electrically adjustable front and steering wheel, Android Auto/Apple Car Play compatible interface, second generation Lexus Safety Safety device and specific 17 -inch alloys rims.
• Luxury : Leather upholstery, heated seats and steering wheel, smart parking radars.
• Executive: Audio Mark Levinson audio system at 13 speakers, sunroof, electric opening tailgate, triple lentil LED projectors with adaptive highs and 18-inch alloy rims, etc.

Try Lexus UX 300E ?

Configure your Lexus UX 300E vehicle or ask for a free trial.

Test – Lexus UX 300E (2023): a real battery, to rectify a false departure

The UX 300E crossover, the first Lexus electric model appeared at the end of 2020, struggles to exist in the face of the classic rivals of the genre. Disappointing autonomy and high prices have not helped him start his career, but this discreet restyling brings welcome progress: his much better capacity battery now offers 72.8 kWh, finally allowing versatility worthy of the name. Up to 450 km, really ?

For a manufacturer that has made classic hybrid its specialty and even offers the most successful engines of the genre, it may seem paradoxical. The Toyota group, Lexus included, was slow to embark on 100% electric. And the beginnings are a laborious. Industrial, political inertia, strategic choices can be pointed out. Lexus finally launched its very first electric in the fall of 2020 with the UX 300E, electrified version of the Compact UX 250h crossover. So, developed on a technical basis above all optimized for a hybrid mechanism (which is getting very well and offers an excellent energy yield).

Alas, the first version of the electric UX was far from being as convincing: for a crossover Compact premium of this standing, concessions had something to make. Too fair in autonomy at the time (313 km announced, no more than 250 km in practice), facing the Audi Q4 e-tron 40 rivals, Mercedes Eqa and BMW IX1 (arrived shortly after), because of a battery too much Small (54 kWh, including 45 kWh useful), less large despite a comparable template (4.50 m).

The very slight restyling conducted on the UX250H, a few months ago, also benefits the 300th which tries to fill its main deficiencies. First, the arrival of a new battery of greater capacity: the transition to 72.8 kWh (approximately 65 kWh useful) places it at the level of the competition. Q4 aligns 77 kWh (the largest in this price range) The EQA 250+ has 70.5 kWh, and the IX1 of 64.7 kWh. Note that the Audi is equal to 204 hp, the Mercedes is slightly less powerful (190 hp), while the BMW, equipped with two engines, offers 313 hp and piercing chronos. The power of the UX 300th remains unchanged, still at 204 hp (an engine on the front axle). At the same time, small improvements were carried out on the suspensions and the direction.

What’s new on board the Lexus UX 300E ?

Here we find the developments already noted on board the hybrid ux. Not fundamentally different, but the big screen of the media interface, now 12 inch and with much more neat graphics, has come closer to the driver. Note also the disappearance of the touchpad located next to the box control, replaced by the heated / ventilated seats buttons. Ergonomics are not yet perfect, but this simplification is welcome (even if the interface menus are not always clear).

On board the Lexus UX, the best place is behind the wheel: the driving position is pleasant, the serene behavior and the correct performance. At the rear, the comfort is unfortunately firm and the restricted place.

Good to know: anticipate purchase and resale.

It is possible to know the resale or recovery value of your vehicle thanks to the Turbo auto rating of your Lexus UX, the alternative to the Argus coast.

On the other hand, no need to touch the strong points of this very seriously constructed cabin: assemblies and materials are of excellent level and the general presentation rather original (like the rest of the car). The UX is therefore a welcoming car. provided you travel to two. The rear seats, frankly reduced, are penalized by the high floor and the very low front seats. Impossible to slide the feet below ! Same observation for luggage (and again, the absence of a reservoir makes it possible to gain 47 L compared to the hybrid): 367 L, it is limited.

Driving: punch and comfort, unsurprisingly

Hardly more changes to report after the first rounds. The 204 hp engine, torqueux (300 nm), delivers completely correct accelerations, but without any particular sparkle. As with any electric car (except in special cases !), the softness premises. There are 8.5 s from 0 to 100 km/h, and the reminders remain muscular, despite the overweight of around 130 kg linked to the new battery (1.810 kg now). The general driving approval, on the driver’s side, remains one of the arguments of this crossover which is similar to a large compact, in its temperament. Heavy certainly, but rather balanced and relatively agile. Mistrust, however, on the wet and oily roads of our Scottish journey: the front axle is sometimes struggling to pass the couple on the ground, and the losses of motor skills are frequent on bad road at good rhythm.

Stop at the foot of the Forth bridge, near Edinburgh. At the end of our journey, consumption will be approximately 21 kWh/100 km, which is high given our driving and moderate temperature.

As for the changes in rolling trains, the management always seems relatively firm and well balanced. The suspensions, visibly more stiff than before, contain the body movements well … at the cost of a sometimes “locked” behavior, inflicting tinlings on the rear passengers. We confirm, a UX is preferably experienced at the front.

Battery, recharging: best but always shortcomings

Our varied journey, essentially peri-urban with a few escapades on country roads and highway, has not made it possible to bring out the progress announced. Given for 450 km in mixed, the UX with this new battery admitted a fairly high average bordering on 21 kWh/100 km, or about 320 km on a load (per temperate climate, around 20 ° C). Suitable, but modest. This more comfortable autonomy allows wider use. But the weight and yield of the whole do not make it an ace of sobriety. The battery size is not everything: a Mercedes EQA 250+ is satisfied with 19 kWh/100, while the BMW IX1 displayed 18 kWh/100 during our test. With a few portions of autobahn without limit !

We wouldn’t blame him, if the load system was on page. Unfortunately, the Lexus UX is a Japanese design model, and more young. Thus, the so -called “fast” load is provided by a Chademo charger (disappearing in Europe) of only 50 kW (approximately 1:30 a.m. from 10 to 80 %). In charge of AC, we are satisfied with 6.6 kW (therefore around 10 hours for a full cycle). Which prohibits the UX 300th any long distance route under decent conditions. Unless you are very much in a hurry.