There’s been a tidal wave of recent crossovers SUVs of all shapes, sizes and worth factors hitting the market, as a result of shoppers proceed to show to them in droves over common passenger vehicles. In explicit, smaller, extra budget-friendly entries carrying luxurious automakers’ badges are red-hot, with fashions such because the Audi Q3, BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class and Volvo XC40 battling it out. The most up-to-date to hitch the fray is the 2019 Lexus UX 200. Slotting in under the NX, the UX turns into the brand new gateway mannequin within the Lexus SUV vary. Like its bigger siblings, the UX provides an attention-grabbing design, snug cabin and beneficiant characteristic menu. All of that units it up properly to overcome the city jungle.Spindle standoutWhile Lexus’ daring design language might flip some off with its louder look, on the UX, I believe it really works, making it a welcome sight subsequent to the comparatively sterile German competitors. Lexus’ now-trademark aggressive spindle grille dominates the entrance finish, with plastic cladding dressing the perimeters including some toughness. By far the most effective visible component is out again, with three-dimensional gentle housings related by a full-width LED strip that is undeniably slick at night time.
Inside, there is a modern dashboard, with my UX Luxury tester gaining a stitched, Washi panel including extra distinction to go together with brushed grey trim. Build high quality is phenomenal for the category, utilizing properly completed, soft-touch surfaces on all main touchpoints together with the massive swaths on the entrance door panels. The solely main cost-cutting measures obvious are the rear door panels, that are fashioned largely of arduous plastic.
Accommodations up entrance are roomy and cozy, with my tester that includes properly bolstered, heated and cooled bucket seats. There’s sufficient head- and legroom within the second row for a few adults, however going three vast throughout positively will get cozy and is finest just for brief durations. Cargo carrying house is not shabby, both, with 21.7 cubic toes of house behind the rear seats, which is a bit stunning given the UX’s excessive load flooring and sloping liftgate.Build high quality is phenomenal inside the UX with good supplies and fancy finishes.
Jon Wong/Roadshow
Generous tech arsenalUnfortunately, the infotainment consumer expertise within the UX is a disappointment, because of the Remote Touch Interface. The touchpad-like controller mounted between the seats controls all the things on the massive 10.3-inch heart show (which is not a touchscreen), that means there is no manner across the pad or steering wheel controls. Thankfully, there are hard-button shortcuts to get to mostly used menus, together with finger-wheel controls on the middle console to regulate quantity and audio tuning. Overall infotainment operation, nonetheless, stays distracting, widespread capabilities like coming into locations into the navigation could be each time consuming and really irritating.The UX’s eight-speaker audio setup is not something to write down residence about, however a Wi-Fi hotspot for as much as 5 gadgets, Amazon Alexa capabilities and the choice handy over infotainment controls to Apple CarPlay are good customary options. Sadly, Lexus nonetheless does not supply Android Auto integration.When operating round city all day, there is no cause for any sensible machine to go lifeless within the UX. There’re two 2.1-amp USB ports, a 12-volt outlet and an out there wi-fi charging pad inside simple attain of entrance passengers. There’s additionally one other two USB ports on the again of the middle console for anybody using within the rear.Shortcut buttons are good, however Remote Touch remains to be irritating to make use of.
Jon Wong/Roadshow
Safety options customary on each UX embody ahead collision warning with computerized emergency braking, adaptive cruise management with lane tracing help, lane-departure warning with lane-keep help and highway signal help. The latter is one thing I am a giant fan of, at all times delivering a handy speed-limit reminder. Higher-trim fashions additionally come customary with blind-spot monitoring to assist make up for hampered over-the-shoulder visibility brought on by the trendy however thicker C-pillars.A lackluster driverUnfortunately, in the event you’re in a rush to get wherever, the UX can be a downer owing to its 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder and repeatedly variable transmission. 169 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque does not scream efficiency, with the drivetrain making a number of noise and never a lot velocity it is time to hammer the throttle for expressway merging or a two-lane highway move. Even in Sport mode, acceleration is leisurely and the truth that the competitors packs turbo fours with extra giddy-up makes this Lexus an even bigger letdown.
To its credit score, idling round city is not horrible. The UX is not painfully gradual to succeed in floor road velocity limits and the CVT is programmed to simulate 10 gears, enabling it behave largely like a traditional torque-converter-equipped gearbox. Fuel economic system additionally is not too shabby, with EPA estimates of 29 miles per gallon metropolis and 37 mpg freeway. A punchier drivetrain could be welcome, however the UX is a good handler.
Jon Wong/Roadshow
Toss the UX round and you may uncover weighty and responsive steering, managed physique roll by means of corners and serviceable grip from the 18-inch 255/50 Bridgestone Turanza EL450 all-season run-flat tires. Make no mistake, the UX is way from a sporty journey, however it’s competent while you push it a bit, and it boasts glorious highway manners. The cabin is quiet rolling down the highway, and suspension simply takes the sting off of small to medium bumps — sure, even on run-flat rubber. Simply put, the UX is a pleasant all-around handler.How I would spec itMy UX would start as an F Sport mannequin for Lexus’ barely extra aggressive exterior touches, supportive sport seats and a tighter suspension tuning to make issues extra entertaining by means of bends. That begins at $35,025, together with $1,025 for vacation spot. Make mine completed with an Ultra Sonic Blue Mica 2.0 paint job for $595 and a Circuit Red inside coloration scheme. From there, I am going to tack on the $500 blind-spot monitoring system and $75 wi-fi charging pad. The $150 F Sport heated steering wheel can be a should in cold-weather climes just like the Midwest, however to get that, a $975 Premium Package together with a moonroof and rain-sensing wipers, plus a $325 auto-dimming rearview mirror with Homelink are additionally required. All of that brings the worth tag of my excellent UX to $37,645, barely undercutting the $38,300 UX 200 Premium pictured right here.Make my UX a tighter dealing with F Sport mannequin.
Jon Wong/Roadshow
A compelling metropolis uteThe 2019 Lexus UX 200 has fairly a bit going for it. It’s sharply styled, boasts spectacular cabin high quality, and it provides an amazing mixture of dealing with and journey consolation. The two main issues stacked towards this new Lexus is that it is down on energy in comparison with rivals, and it sports activities a certifiably maddening infotainment interface. If you may get previous these flaws and are searching for an city commuting machine, the UX begins at $33,025, beginning a bit under the aforementioned Q3, X1, GLA and XC40. What would I do? As a lot as I just like the UX’s seems to be and inside, its weaker engine, CVT and infotainment are deal-killers for me.