The Car Connection Expert Review
Likes
- Edgy though busy design
- User-friendly infotainment
- EPA ratings of 42 mpg combined
- Convenient to park
Dislikes
- Modest power
- Meager rear legroom
- Only top trims offered with large screen
Buying tip
features & specs
The 2024 Lexus UX 250h is efficient and practical, though its hot-hatch looks are deceiving.
What kind of vehicle is the 2024 Lexus UX? What does it compare to?
The 2024 Lexus UX 250h is a small entry-level luxury crossover with rivals ranging from the BMW X1 to the Volvo XC40.
Is the 2024 Lexus UX a good SUV?
The UX is the smallest crossover in the Lexus lineup, drilled down to just one hybrid powertrain that leaves it without a direct rival in its segment. The limited power and cramped rear row are offset by a user-friendly infotainment interface, excellent safety scores, and good fuel efficiency. It earns a TCC Rating of 6.5 on our scale of 10. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
What's new for the 2024 Lexus UX?
The UX carries over mostly unchanged for 2024. A new hands-free power tailgate is available across the range, and there’s a modest increase in price. Otherwise, this Lexus remains the same following last year’s cut to the powertrain lineup and upgrade to the infotainment system.
The brand’s signature spindle grille announces the arrival of the UX 250h, and the front end is also distinguished by large air intakes that are mostly ornamental. An F Sport Design package adds a black roof and black wheels, and the F Sport Handling package matches the sportier looks with an adaptive suspension system with performance dampers. Selectable drive modes can adjust throttle and steering to compensate somewhat for its lackluster acceleration, but the 181-hp 2.0-liter inline-4 and hybrid system yield 39 mpg combined with all-wheel drive and 42 mpg combined with front-wheel drive. Those EPA ratings are really the star of the show.
Inside, you’ll find power-adjustable front seats with synthetic leather upholstery and a snug second row that’s more useful folded down to expand cargo capacity.
The UX 250h earns top crash scores from the IIHS and the NHTSA, and Lexus includes driver-assist tech such as active lane control, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking,
How much does the 2024 Lexus UX cost?
The 2024 UX 250h starts at $37,640, which includes a $1,150 destination fee. It’s offered in base, Premium, F Sport Design, and F Sport Handling trims. The infotainment system comes standard with an 8.0-inch touchscreen and can be upgraded to a 12.3-inch version, and also includes wireless smartphone integration. Options vary across the lineup, from heated and cooled front seats with the $40,100 Premium version to an adaptive suspension system with the top F Sport Handling, which costs $45,070. All-wheel drive costs another $1,400 on every grade.
Where is the 2024 Lexus UX made?
In Japan.
2024 Lexus UX Styling
The 2024 Lexus UX stands out from the compact crossover masses.
Is the Lexus UX a good-looking car?
The smallest Lexus crossover is interesting, to say the least, with cuts, creases, and fender bulges that look like an insect morphed into a hatchback. It gets a 6 here purely for being different.
The edgy styling starts up front with the brand’s spindle grille flanked by decorative air intakes tilted up like tusks. The DRLs squint from the long nose and draw the eye to busy, buzzy sides with squared-off wheel openings and sweeping body lines that bring to mind an insect’s wings folded to the body, while the raked roofline evokes a stinger.
In F Sport configuration, the UX gets dark wheels, a black roof and roof rails, and body-color wheel arches, which border on overkill.
The cabin is calmer and more conventional. The dash is angled toward the driver and topped by a touchscreen that may be a bit out of reach for some. Drive mode controls are mounted on the instrument cluster housing, and the console has the seat temperature adjustments and mechanical gear shifter. Unlike the exterior, nothing stands out, which is just fine.
2024 Lexus UX Performance
With standard hybrid tech, the 2024 Lexus UX makes fun secondary.
The 2024 Lexus UX 250h is available only as a hybrid, and it walks the line between crossover and hatchback with its high seating position. The UX shares a platform with Toyota’s Corolla Cross and Prius, and though it’s more spirited than both, fuel efficiency wins the day. It earns a perfectly average 5 for performance, with decent handling that offsets its sluggishness.
Is the Lexus UX 4WD?
The UX is front-wheel drive, though all-wheel drive is available on every trim for $1,400. The series hybrid features two motor generators and a planetary gearset that acts somewhat like a transmission to split the power to be electric only, gas only, or a combination of the two. An induction motor powers the rear wheels in AWD models.
How fast is the Lexus UX?
The Atkinson cycle 2.0-liter inline-4 makes 181 hp, just like in the Toyota Prius, and drives the UX 250h to 60 mph in under nine seconds. It’s not quick, but once moving, it doesn’t lack for power. The CVT and planetary gearset can sort of be tricked into acting like an automatic by use of the paddle shifters, but it’s not particularly effective, causing a heavy drone on downshifts and no real way to upshift.
Despite these issues, power delivery is generally seamless and smooth, and a light touch on the throttle can enable short distances of electric-only driving. Handling is on the softer side, though using Sport modes and adding the F Sport Handling package, which brings 18-inch wheels and adaptive dampers, adds some firmness. Steering feedback is solid. Plenty of small crossovers are sportier, but none are as efficient.
2024 Lexus UX Comfort & Quality
The 2024 Lexus UX 250h packs a lot into a small space.
After decades of experience and with six available hybrids across the 10-model stable, Lexus excels in packaging its nickel-metal hydride battery out of the way under the rear seat in the UX. That enables maximized interior space in the UX 250h, with spacious front seats and a versatile hatch that each earn a point here for a 7.
The UX 250h is more hatchback than SUV, but has good cabin space with supportive power-adjustable front seats fitted in synthetic leather. No version offers leather. F Sport models get firm sport bucket seats that cut down on headroom, especially when paired with a sunroof.
The rear seats get only 33.1 inches of legroom, and though headroom is OK, this space is best avoided by adults. USB ports and a center armrest should help pacify kids.
The rear seats fold down with a 60/40 split to expand the cargo area’s scant 17.1 cubic feet, a compromise from the stylish raked roofline. For $500, roof rack cross bars are available.
The UX 250h generally benefits from the brand’s talent for quiet cabins, though highway speeds result in some noise. A range of interior upholstery colors, including the F Sport’s signature red, pair with textured dash trim for some character.
2024 Lexus UX Safety
The 2024 Lexus UX 250h stands up to collisions despite its small stature.
How safe is the Lexus UX?
The UX 250h earns two points for its NHTSA five-star crash rating and standard safety features. The IIHS awarded the Top Safety Pick+ rating to the 2023 model for another point. Since not much has changed on the 2024 model, it’s an 8.
Lexus includes the Safety System+ 2.5 package as standard. It has automatic emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, active lane control, blind-spot monitors, and automatic high-beam LED headlights. It’s worth noting that these features help overcome the UX’s compromised sightlines, and that several competing brands charge more for these features.
2024 Lexus UX Features
The 2024 Lexus UX includes most expected features, but some are optional even on top grades.
The 2024 Lexus UX 250h has a base price of just under $38,000, which is competitive if factoring in the $2,250 EPA-estimated fuel savings over five years with the standard hybrid powertrain. Standard amenities include power-adjustable front seats, synthetic leather upholstery, and an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. That display and its relative value each earn a point, and the warranty adds another, good for an 8.
The standard 4-year/50,000-mile warranty includes two scheduled maintenance services and is bolstered by an 8-year/100,000-mile hybrid powertrain warranty.
Which Lexus UX should I buy?
The $40,100 Premium version is the best bang for your bucks, and if you need AWD, it adds only $1,400. It includes heated and cooled front seats, a sunroof, and a power tailgate, which is good enough for us. The larger 12.3-inch touchscreen is available with Premium and standard with F Sport Handling. If you like shiny stuff and don’t rely on Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, give it a shot; it has excellent voice commands with either sized screen after a learning curve with the language.
How much is a fully loaded Lexus UX?
The UX 250h with all-wheel drive and the F Sport Handling package costs $46,470. It includes sport seats, performance upgrades, a black roof and black roof rails, heated side mirrors, and adaptive headlights. However, you’ll still pay extra to add wireless phone charging, a heated steering wheel, and a few other upgrades, to the tune of about $50,000. At that point we’d start looking at more performance-oriented crossovers.
2024 Lexus UX Fuel Economy
With standard hybrid tech, the UX returns up to 42 mpg.
Is the Lexus UX good on gas?
The UX comes standard as a hybrid capable of EPA ratings of 43 mpg city, 41 highway, and 42 combined with front-wheel drive. That earns a 6 here. With all-wheel drive, efficiency is still impressive at 41/38/39 mpg. The most efficient German and Swedish competitors top out at 28 mpg combined and require premium fuel, while the UX runs fine with regular.
