BUYER'S GUIDE: Lexus UX

FROM £23,500 Hybrid and electric versions of premium SUV are reliable and economical

- Richard Dredge

WHEN Toyota launched its Lexus luxury offshoot in 1989, the focus was on premium saloons. But seven years after the new marque arrived, it introduced its first SUV, the LX, which was based heavily on the contemporary Toyota Land Cruiser.

Two years later Lexus launched its own crossover, the RX 300. Since then, it has provided a choice of SUVS unique to the brand, even though their oily bits are usually shared with various Toyota models.

Despite the massive popularity of SUVs, offering several of them hasn't boosted Lexus's sales as much as you might expect, considering the marque's reputation for high-quality products and peerless customer service. Despite this, Lexus' smallest SUV, the UX, is surprisingly plentiful on the used market, and it's a likeable car, too.

History 

THE UX went on sale in the UK in October 2018, priced from £29,900. Available only in UX 250h form with a 2.0-litre petrol engine backed up with 'self-charging' hybrid tech, buyers could choose between front or all-wheel drive. The car was only available as an automatic and there was a choice of three trim levels: UX, F Sport and Takumi.

By the end of 2020 a Premium Sport grade had joined the range. This featured the Premium Pack as standard, with extra kit such as navigation and various driver-assistance systems. From March 2021, Lexus's first EV, the UX 300e, was available.