ON TEST: UX300e
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Impressive UX300e brings Lexus’ traditional quality to the EV sector Lexus’s first full EV model sets the standard for premium small SUVs says Andrew Walker Lexus launched its small SUV, the UX, in 2019, bringing a real touch of class to the sector. At the time, an all-electric version was confirmed as on its way to complement the range, and Lexus’s first EV finally arrived this year. Company Car & Van got its hands on one courtesy of Lexus Stockport. At first glance, it’s impressive. It’s an extremely attractive car and makes a fine fist of standing out from the crowd. Up front, the familiar Lexus spindle grille features a mesh pattern and there’s narrow LED headlights on the front corners. It also features large wheel arches and rear lights that span the full width of the hatchback, ending with a bulbous finish at either side. Unique aerodynamic alloys and some electric badging are all that mark the UX300e out from the rest of the range. Battery and charging The UX300e is heavier than its siblings, as there’s a 54.3kWh battery located under the floor and rear seats, with a 201bhp electric motor in the engine bay. Lexus claims a range of 196 miles with models fitted with 17” wheels and if you can charge at home on a standard 7.4kWh charger like the Rolec system we use, a full charge will take approximately 7.5 hours. Utilise a 50kWh charger and you can charge the battery to 80 per cent in just 55 minutes.
To keep things simple the UX300e is offered as a single model which retails at £41,745. This comes very well equipped: 17” alloys, Lexus Safety System +, premium fabric upholstery, 7” media screen with remote touch interface, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, reversing camera ... the list goes on and you can upgrade by adding either the Premium Plus Pack, with smooth leather upholstery, a wireless smartphone charger and smart keyless entry, or the Takumi Pack, which adds 18” alloys, 10.3” Lexus Navigation, a 13-speaker Mark Levinson premium surround sound system and a sunroof, 360” panoramic view monitor. As standard, however, the interior oozes class. Every surface you can see or can’t see is top notch, as is the switchgear, and it’s clear that no corners have been cut. Interior space up front is great, with the wraparound dashboard still leaving plenty of knee and legroom. You don’t sit as high up in the UX as with many competitors and it doesn’t feel like you’re in an SUV. Rear passenger space is a little compromised, especially if you’re sat behind a tall front passenger. The centre rear seat suffers the most. On the road The best thing about the UX300e is its handling. The UX, although a crossover/SUV, sits quite low to the ground and even with the heavy battery, its small stature means it’s actually fun to drive. It hugs corners tightly and springs out of them quickly, putting a smile on your face. In the confines of metropolitan driving it’s also a hit. The cabin is well insulated from outside noise and in the city, especially at
lower speeds or stuck in traffic, the car is amazingly quiet. At anything under 20mph progress is serene and the UX’s size makes it easy to park as well. As a motorway cruiser, longer distances are eaten up with adaptive cruise control a real bonus when traffic gets heavier. You’d struggle to find a better quality cabin in the class. As with other EVs, though, driving steadily at anything in excess of 70 mph means that battery range runs down quicker than you’d like. When fully charged, Lexus claim a range of around 190 miles for the UX300e. We’d say that driving conservatively, 160-170 miles is more realistic. If you are looking for negatives, the rear passenger space is tight and the boot is a little small. The other issue is price: mid and range toppers are expensive. We’d suggest that leasing the entry level model as your company car makes the most sense. BIK and fuel savings For company car drivers looking at premium electric cars, the UX330e comes with zero CO2 emissions and a BIK in year one of 0%. Factor in the reduced cost of EV charging compared to buying petrol and a substantial saving per annum can be made. Set up a discounted night time electricity charging rate, such as Octopus Go and you can charge your UX300e from 12.30 am to 04.30 am at just 5p a kWh. Finally, thanks again to Lexus Stockport for the UX300e loan.
CC&V VERDICT Great to drive, brilliantly put together and looks the part. The lack of a direct electric competitor means that in its category, it’s actually a first.
CC&V RATING: NNNN
28 | October 2021 | Company Car & Van
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