3 minute read
Our cars: Lexus UX 300 e
Lexus UX 300e
FINALREPORT Even with no home charging, electric SUV won us over
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Dawn Grant
Dawn _ Grant@autovia.co.uk
IT’S time to say goodbye to our Lexus
UX 300e, so I thought I would give it a final clean before it goes. I always think a close-up wash ‘ n ’ wipe gives you a better idea of the car ’ s colour and finish than just walking up to it in a car park – particularly if you ’ re cleaning it in sunshine.
It’ s probably fair to say that, given the car ’ s relatively small dimensions, Lexus is shifting rather more examples of the UX 300e on looks and image than on outright practicality – and frankly, I can see why.
Our car ’ s Terrane Khaki metallic paint is an extra that adds £570 to the list price, but it’ s been a big hit, and not just with me. I’ ve received many compliments from passers-by, usually while charging up. It has made a pleasant change from the usual queries about what life is like with an electric car – and because most buyers will roll the extras into their monthly bills, I’ m not surprised that shades like the Khaki are popular. It’ s great to have a premium brand offering more than dark silver or black.
I also warmed to the overall look of the UX during its time with us. Its complex bodywork creases took a little getting used to, but in the end I was a particular fan of the rear-end styling, where the sharp angles really do make it stand out from the crowd. I have to confess that I found the big front grille a bit too much, however.
The leather-trimmed interior certainly adds to the Lexus ’ s premium feel, and it’ s definitely easier to live with on the whole, although the cream colour made me a little nervous at first. We did end up with a slight blue tinge on the driver ’ s seat – my husband and I default to wearing jeans most days –but after a bit of effort and some leather cleaner (we used Armor All wipes) we managed to get it looking as good as new.
The leather upholstery was a godsend when it came to transporting my daughter ’ s
Battery/charging
54kWh battery 50kW DC (0-80% in 52 mins)
Practicality
Boot (seats up) 367 litres
puppy Isla around, too; it was so much less hassle to clean up fur that wasn ’t embedded in cloth. Isla is seven months old now, though, and if she sits up on the rear seats instead of lying across them, it sets off the rear-seatbelt sensors. They ’ re alarmingly loud (fit for purpose there, I guess) but also extremely persistent; I’ ve got around the issue by fastening every belt before a trip.
For many people, of course, electric cars will still be about range, and how reliable (or otherwise) the public charging network is. But as someone who doesn ’t have access to a home charging point, I came away from my time with the Lexus with a grudging respect for both sides of EV ownership.
It was a pity that we had the car over the colder months, because it did the battery no favours. I’ m sure the warmer weather will increase the range a bit, but we have already been getting 186 miles predicted range at a full charge – only 10 miles down on the official figure. This perhaps reflects Lexus ’ s approach to its range calculations, which are said to be deliberately more realistic.
The spring sunshine did highlight an issue, though: on one longer journey the
Second opinion
“Dawn’s right about the UX’s infotainment, but Lexus is slowly working its way through upgrades to its line-up of cars. The system on the latest NX is much easier to use. ”
