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Can you believe the Lexus UX range has been on sale so long that its safety rating has expired?
RIGHT! The small SUV that was the most compact crossover in the Lexus range when it was launched in Australia way back in late 2018 is no longer rated by ANCAP and strangely makes an argument today stronger than pre-COVID.
Some that is based on the incremental technology changes in inside the cabin, and another – larger – component is the more efficient hybrid powertrain now available in range.
Let’s go through it.
How much does the Lexus UX cost?
An electric variant, axed in the Lexus UX lineup (a 250h hybrid version) was previously part of its line-up with an original model and replaced in 2024 by the 300h edition. In that, all three variants of the Lexus UX were given a power bump for those models and there are still two grades which have either front- or all-wheel drive.
| Model | Price before on-road costs |
| — | — |
| 2026 Lexus UX300h Luxury 2WD | $55,730 |
| 2026 Lexus UX300h Sports Luxury 2WD | $62,320 |
| 2026 Lexus UX300h F Sport 2WD | $63,110 |
| 2026 Lexus UX300h Sports Luxury AWD | $70,520 |
| 2026 Lexus UX300h F Sport AWD | $73,210 |
I know the price is that you’ll have to really need or want all-wheel drive to justify the extra cost, and frankly if you were going over $70k on a Lexus UX of any kind, it was just suck. you get an extra 84Nm of torque, but.
But this base model at about $55k before on-roads? It’s a different story entirely.
To see how the Lexus UX lines up against the competition, check out our
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What is the Lexus UX like on the inside?
During the years that have been in the Lexus UX, there has been some major changes to the cabin – but it doesn’t feel like startlingly different from the first versions of this car.
That is no bad thing because it felt good then, and it still feels pretty good now.
A fresh–ish 12- if added to the appeal on inside is the new-ish 12. The 3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which includes things such as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, connected services (and sat-nav) etc.
The physical controls are not much – just a volume dial – but the system is pretty good to use.
This is the best software suite, I don’t think this is a little bit hidden menus but it’s mostly learnable and easy to get along with.
I love that below the screen you have a panel of physical controls, such as climate control, fan speed, recirc, demister (including rear and side mirror demisting!) and more.
If you go down, you’ll see a wireless phone charger and two USB-C ports. That is great to see in if it’s based on ecd car like this.
Back from there is a pair of cupholders, two electric seat heating buttons and – dinky little shifter. If you’re a little bit of time to get used to the shift pattern, you might have to go back and forth.
There is also an EV mode and a ‘hold’ mode button so you can try and trigger things to be electric, but the battery is very small.
Between the seats there is a centre console bin with a dual-opening lid, so you can open it either way.
A nice adjustment and a nice finish to the seats are very comfortable, while it is ‘fake leather-like seat’ and that they have.
The doors have good bottle holders, there’s a reasonable glovebox and the cabin is luxurious but not too blingy.
No ambient lights or anything like that are available, so some of the more modern small premium SUV alternatives do offer a bit more wow factor in some ways.
But it is that typical Lexus-like, Japanese-spec level of finishing. Immaculate.
Similarly, in the rear there is enough space for a 6’0”/182cm adult to be fit behind his own driving position (though not with much room left spare).
Unless you’ve got big feet, it’s hard to get in and out because kneeroom is tight; head room just a little bit slim as well.
Don’t think you’ll fit three across the back very well, but at a pinch it’s possible – so long as the people aren’T too big for that.
There are ISOFIX child seat anchor points and top-tethers for those rear seats, too.
The back of the also has directional air vents and USB-C ports, with one map pocket on the passenger-side seatback seatbel.
There are no door pockets at all, but there is a flip-down armrest with cupholders.
Spacious? Not so much. But comfy? Yes!
This boot is compact (with room for a few small suitcases), or the kids’ backpacks for school, though it won’t be the best month-long driving holiday companion in terms of boot space.
A spare wheel is unfortunately not found under the boot floor but there is storage underneath that has in this one – just a tyre repair kit.
| Dimensions | Lexus UX300h Luxury FWD |
| — | — |
| Length | 4495mm |
| Width | 1840mm |
| Height | 1540mm |
| Wheelbase | 2640mm |
| Cargo capacity | 368L |
To see how the Lexus UX lines up against the competition, check out our
comparison tool
What’s under the bonnet?
The Lexus UX300h has a tried-and-tested four-cylinder petrol-electric powertrain, with an e-CVT auto managing proceedings. A front-wheel drive is the base grade, and all- wheel drive available in higher specs.
| Specifications | Lexus UX300h Luxury FWD |
| — | — |
| Engine | 2.0L 4cyl hybrid |
| System power | 146kW |
| System torque | 206Nm |
| Transmission | e-CVT |
| Drive type | Front-wheel drive |
| Weight | 1585kg |
| Fuel economy (claimed) | 4.2L/100km |
| Fuel economy (as tested) | 5.1L/100km |
| Fuel tank capacity | 43L |
| Fuel requirement | 91-octane regular unleaded |
| CO2 emissions | 96g/km |
| Emissions standard | Euro 5 |
My experience with the real-world fuel consumption I saw when testing the UX300h over a week of mixed driving was very impressed by how well it worked out.
Away from errands, I drove on the road and hit the highway, pulled it through some corners and generally driven it exactly as you might; 5 (a) Average1 L/100km was displayed average for . nicer Nice.
Note No official towing capacity for this car is available, so if you have tow it’s going to be the go-toe of this vehicle.
To see how the Lexus UX lines up against the competition, check out our
comparison tool
How does the Lexus UX drive?
What an agreeable little car this is.
Unsurprisingly, it does feel similar to a Toyota Corolla hatchback or a Corolla Cross small SUV, and it’s built on the same TNGA platform as those impressive options.
There are some similarities in terms of powertrain technology and the general chassis dynamics of this platform are extremely nice.
The formula includes that well weighted and easy to control steering, which allows for simple turning manoeuvres at low speeds and high confidence; the comfortable ride and smooth suspension calibration allowing both easy driving in urban day-today work; and the confident handling at pace.
It is an extremely likeable driving experience. Mature, but still playful if you push it.
There’s a lot of punch in the hybrid powertrain, and although it is front-drive only in this basic version, it still gets that power down very well.
It would be better if one could fit a pair of sportier tyres – that would indeed help to increase power-down grip and also outright cornering handling, but as it is the whole thing you’d say ‘very agreeable’.
Requirement braking If you want it and a B mode to feed some more power to the battery pack, which is completely fine for the brake pedal feel, you’ve got regen.
But when it comes to the refinement, there’s little to complain about – you can hear the engine when its kicks into life; but most of the time you’ll be driving in a mixture of hybrid or EV drive modes and at urban speeds ev mode kick is very often.
There’s just a little bit of tyre roar to contend with at freeway speed on rougher surfaces, but it’s not really that bad for this car.
For the safety assistance technology, you don’t have any of the annoyances that you might expect from a driver monitoring camera or incessant chiming for speed signage.
In contrast, a phrase-keeping feature is one that you may want to switch off (it defaults back every time you restart the car) but it is generally very friendly.
And the frugal fuel consumption is just the cherry on top.
To see how the Lexus UX lines up against the competition, check out our
comparison tool
What do you get?
Here’s a list of the range and what you get if you spend more as you climb up the ladder.
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2026 Lexus UX300h Luxury standard equipment:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- LED headlights
- Leather-accented seats (NuLux)
- Heated front seats
- Power adjustable front seats
- 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wireless Apple CarPlay
- Wireless Android Auto
- 10-speaker audio system
- Sat-nav
- Connected services
- Power tilt and reach steering wheel
- Smart key
- Push-button start
- Wireless phone charger
UX300h Sports Luxury adds:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Panoramic View Monitor (360-degree camera)
- Adaptive High-Beam System
- Ventilated front seats
- Driver’s seat memory
- 13-speaker Mark Levinson premium sound system
- Leather-accented upholstery
- Rear privacy glass
F Sport adds:
- Unique F Sport styling
- 18-inch F Sport wheels
- Body-coloured wheel arches
- Adaptive Variable Suspension
- Rear Performance Damper
- 5 drive modes: adds Sport S+, Custom (beyond Eco/Normal/Sport)
- Active Sound Control
- F Sport seats
- F Sport steering wheel
To see how the Lexus UX lines up against the competition, check out our
comparison tool
Is the Lexus UX safe?
Previously, the Lexus UX range had a five-star ANCAP safety rating (which expired at the end of 2025) but was discontinued in late. That means there’s no relevant independent safety rating for this small luxury SUV. But it’s not like the brand has taken away the safety gear so that is still going to be a ‘safe’ car to choose.
Standard safety equipment includes:
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Pedestrian detection (day, night)
- Cyclist detection (day)
- Adaptive cruise control with stop/go
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Lane Trace Assist
- Traffic sign recognition
- Rear cross-traffic assist
- Automatic high-beam
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Reversing camera
This may actually make it even more attractive, but in fact is a part of the active safety problems that newer cars face when they’re not as well-known as their older competitors. There is no driver monitoring system, no speed sign recognition and bugger-all beeping bing-bong tech. Greeting! Hooray!
Nevertheless, in the more expensive variants this base model only has a reversing camera (not surround-view system) but not an overall one with its own cameras.
The Lexus UX has eight airbags: dual front, driver’s knee, passenger’s knee, front side, and full-length curtain.
To see how the Lexus UX lines up against the competition, check out our
comparison tool
How much does the Lexus UX cost to run?
Lexus Australia has one of the best reputations in the market for after sales ownership – from a reliability and premium experience point of view – to an excellent brand name. I’m asking any Lexus owner if they’ve had an accident with their car and will give you $50 a person who says they have!*.
| Servicing and Warranty | Lexus UX300h |
| — | — |
| Vehicle warranty | 5 years, unlimited kilometres |
| Battery warranty | Up to 10 years, unlimited kilometres (service-activated) |
| Roadside assistance | 5 years |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000km |
| Capped-price servicing | 5 years or 75,000km |
| Total capped-price service cost | $3225 |
*I’m not actually going to give you $50.
To see how the Lexus UX lines up against the competition, check out our
comparison tool
childcareman.xyz’s Take on the Lexus UX
While it may be the newest kid on the block, it’s one of the most complete, likeable and liveable options you could make if you’re after a small premium car.
The UX300h is a charmer. And the Luxury version is all you’re really going to need.
Interested in buying a Lexus UX? Let childcareman.xyz find you the best deal here .
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