Upgraded Lexus UX compact SUV on sale from mid-September

Expected to arrive in local Lexus showrooms from mid-September, the updated UX petrol and UX hybrid-electric (HEV) models are priced from $46,085 (plus on road costs) for the UX 200 Luxury.

Prices move up between $1640 and $1895 to reflect the updated standard equipment, multimedia and vehicle functionality.

Leading the way is the generously appointed UX 200 Luxury, now incorporating the latest Lexus multimedia system onto a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen display, replacing the previous 10.3-inch interface.

Now supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, the new multimedia system also offers DAB+ digital radio, satellite navigation and an expanded10-speaker audio system replacing the outgoing eight-speaker system.

Through the new easy-to-use interface, customers can now use the “Hey Lexus” dynamic voice recognition feature for commands such as changing radio station or automatically lowering the windows.

The interior of the UX 200 Luxury also gains a touch of Takumi craftsmanship, with the adoption of Washi paper trim and stitching on the instrument panel.

The special ornamentation is inspired by the art of traditional hand-made Japanese paper production, used in applications including Shoji doors and origami and available on the UX range in a black shade.

A new sharkfin antenna is introduced across the UX range, as is a three-year complimentary period for Lexus Connected Services, which introduces a range of customer-focused features enhancing both safety and convenience.

Using an inbuilt Data Communication Module (DCM) connected to a mobile network, Lexus Connected Services offers a three-year complimentary period for connectivity features for owners through the state-of-the-art Lexus Connected app.

Highlights of Lexus Connected Services includes Lexus Multimedia Connect, which synchronises the app with the UX’s multimedia system, offering cloud-based connected navigation with live traffic, weather, parking and map updates, location searching, and first- and last-mile routing.

Lexus Remote Connect allows owners to activate a range of functions from outside the vehicle, including remotely activating engine start, door and boot lock/unlock, hazard lights and buzzer.

Lexus Status Connect provides a wealth of vehicle information at the owner’s fingertips, including the last known location of the vehicle, recent trip information, diagnostics data, and status confirmation, showing the lock status of the doors, whether the doors, windows, bonnet and boot are open or closed, tyre pressures, and if the hazard lights are on.

It can also provide warnings for owners if any doors or windows are open or unlocked, and offers a feature called Drive Pulse, which analyses acceleration, braking and cornering speeds to give the driver an overall rating out of 100.

The latest Lexus Connected Services upgrades to the UX come in addition to features such as Automatic Collision Notification, SOS Emergency Call and Stolen Vehicle Tracking that further boost safety and security for owners.

The addition of Lexus Connected Services bolsters the already strong Lexus Safety System+ 2 suite in the UX range, which includes Pre-Collision Safety system with pedestrian and daylight cyclist detection, all-speed active cruise control, lane trace assist, road sign assist (speed signs only) and automatic high beam, along with a parking assist monitor and eight airbags.

As before, the UX is offered with a number of available Enhancement Packs, starting with the UX 200 Luxury + EP1 which adds LED fog lamps, parking support alert, parking support brake, blind spot monitor with rear cross traffic alert and smart entry.

The EP1 package can be further bolstered with the addition of 18-inch alloy wheels with a five-spoke design and machined finish, replacing the standard 17-inch dark grey metallic rims.

Stepping up to the Luxury + EP2 marks the entry point for the UX 250h 2WD, which builds on the specification of the UX 200 Luxury + EP1 and adds a power back door (plus kick sensor for hybrid grades), wireless phone charger, cornering lamps, alloy scuff plates, headlamp cleaner, rear privacy glass, roof rails and illuminated entry. Like EP1, EP2 can also be bolstered with the addition of 18-inch alloys.

Finally, Luxury grades are also offered with an EP3 which adds a moon roof, and on UX 250h can be further optioned with 18-inch wheels.

Highlighting Lexus’ commitment to customer choice, the UX 200, 250h 2WD and 250h AWD are all available in F Sport and Sports Luxury guise, providing the option of a flagship model geared more towards either performance or comfort.

Upgraded specification highlights shared by the F Sport and Sports Luxury include high-grade LED headlights with dynamic auto-levelling, LED front turn signals, adaptive high-beam system (AHS), and auto power-folding exterior mirrors with heating, reverse link, memory function and driver’s side electrochromatic finish.

Inside, Sports Luxury grades and above adds a high-grade metallic finish for the door garnish and instrument cluster, driver and front passenger seat ventilation, driver’s side seat memory and easy access system.

A perforation pattern named kagome has been adopted on the seats, employing a hexagonal pattern inspired by traditional Japanese basket weaving that has been used since ancient times to ward off evil.

Features exclusive to Sports Luxury includes the same 18-inch alloys offered on Luxury Enhancement Packs, acoustic front and side glass, luxury leather-accented seats, a premium 13-speaker Mark Levinson hi-fi audio system and a panoramic view monitor.

A single Enhancement Pack is available for Sports Luxury, further adding a moon roof, smart key card and head-up display (HUD).

Meanwhile, F Sport variants gain a raft of unique features starting with exclusive exterior styling touches including front and rear bumper design, F Sport grille and badging, dark premium metallic 18-inch wheels with a five dual-spoke design and, for the first time on UX, body-coloured wheel arches.

Inside the cabin, customers gain the F Sport-exclusive shift lever, steering wheel, pedals, aluminium foot rest, Active Sound Control, a unique 8-inch TFT digital instrument cluster and special F Sport seats.

Further dynamic enhancements have been applied under the skin of the F Sport, adopting a retuned version of the Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) system, rear performance damper and a five-mode drive mode select comprising Eco, Normal, Sport S, Sport S+ and Custom modes.

Two Enhancement Packs are available on F Sport, with EP1 adding a moon roof, and EP2 further adding the panoramic view monitor, smart key card, HUD and 13-speaker Mark Levinson system.

On F Sport, the top part of the steering gearbox mount and suspension member have been joined more rigidly to enhance steering feel.

Further advancing the Lexus Driving Signature of predictable and faithful handling, 20 spot weld points have been added throughout the chassis to improve body rigidity, while the stiffness of the back door reinforcement has also been improved.

Lexus engineers have refined the UX 200’s 2.0-litre petrol engine with the addition of a stop-start system compatible with Lexus Safety System+ features, helping to reduce fuel consumption.

Driving the front wheels via a Direct Shift continuously variable transmission (CVT), the UX 200 produces 126kW at 6600rpm and 205Nm from 4400-4800rpm.

Available with two-wheel drive or E-Four all-wheel drive, the UX 250h teams a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with either one or two permanent magnet motors respectively and a 216V nickel-metal hydride battery.

The 2.0-litre petrol engine produces 107kW at 6000rpm and 188Nm from 4400-5200rpm, while the front electric motor contributes a further 80kW and 202Nm.

Versions equipped with the E-Four AWD system gain the second 5.3kW motor on the rear axle, capable of splitting front/rear torque from 100:0 to 20:80 to afford excellent start-off grip.

Combined power output for both hybrids is 135kW, with combined fuel consumption as low as 4.5 litres per 100km on 2WD grades.

A total of 12 exterior colours are available, consisting of Sonic Quartz, Titanium, Sonic Chrome, Onyx, Graphite Black, Caliente, Khaki Metal, Celestial Blue and the newly available Sonic Iridium on Luxury and Sports Luxury. F Sport grades are available with the exclusive Carnelian, White Nova and Cobalt Mica hues, replacing Sonic Quartz and Celestial Blue.

Seven interior colour schemes can be selected, starting with Black and White Ash on Luxury grades, which expands to include Rich Cream and Hazel on Sports Luxury. F Sport grades are offered with a trio of exclusive colours – F Sport Black, White and Flare Red. The existing two-tone Cobalt hue has been discontinued.