Photo: Lexus
Revealed in March 2018 at the Geneva Motor Show, the UX serves as an indirect replacement to the CT in the United States. Available in ICE-only and hybrid flavors, the subcompact crossover based on the Toyota C-HR could go all-electric based on a filing with the European Intellectual Property Office.
UX 300e is aligned to the naming convention that Lexus uses on all of its models, with “e” referring to electric. For the time being, the UX 200 and UX 250h will have to make do both in North America and the Old Continent.
The numerical part of the newcomer’s designation could be an indicator that Lexus has more ponies and torque in the pipeline for the UX 300e. The combined output of the UX 250h, for reference, stands at 176 horsepower. Two electric motors complement the M20A-FXS engine in the hybrid model, one of them integrated into the rear axle for all-wheel drive.
For some reason or another, Lexus doesn’t offer the adaptive dampers sold in other markets where the UX is also available. Even more curiously, the F Sport package adds paddle shifters despite the fact the continuously variable transmission simulates gear ratios.
Word has it Lexus won’t offer the UX 300e in the United States, at least for the first year of production. Expected to bow either at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show or later on at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show, the UX 300e could also combine two electric motors for all-wheel drive.
Demand for EVs is surging in Europe and Asia (especially in China), but we’re still having second thoughts about the rumor according to which the UX 300e won’t be offered in North America. On the other hand, Toyota doesn’t have a battery-powered EV to sell in this part of the world either.
The closest Toyota has come is the Mirai, which uses hydrogen to get from point A to point B. Similar to the subcompact crossover, the mid-sized sedan rides on the Toyota New Global Architecture. Built at the factory where the Lexus LFA supercar used to be manufactured, the Mirai is available in the U.S. through a 36-month lease for $349 per month and $2,499 at signing.
The numerical part of the newcomer’s designation could be an indicator that Lexus has more ponies and torque in the pipeline for the UX 300e. The combined output of the UX 250h, for reference, stands at 176 horsepower. Two electric motors complement the M20A-FXS engine in the hybrid model, one of them integrated into the rear axle for all-wheel drive.
For some reason or another, Lexus doesn’t offer the adaptive dampers sold in other markets where the UX is also available. Even more curiously, the F Sport package adds paddle shifters despite the fact the continuously variable transmission simulates gear ratios.
Word has it Lexus won’t offer the UX 300e in the United States, at least for the first year of production. Expected to bow either at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show or later on at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show, the UX 300e could also combine two electric motors for all-wheel drive.
Demand for EVs is surging in Europe and Asia (especially in China), but we’re still having second thoughts about the rumor according to which the UX 300e won’t be offered in North America. On the other hand, Toyota doesn’t have a battery-powered EV to sell in this part of the world either.
The closest Toyota has come is the Mirai, which uses hydrogen to get from point A to point B. Similar to the subcompact crossover, the mid-sized sedan rides on the Toyota New Global Architecture. Built at the factory where the Lexus LFA supercar used to be manufactured, the Mirai is available in the U.S. through a 36-month lease for $349 per month and $2,499 at signing.
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