We have to admit that the UX is a bit of an oddball in the Lexus crossover and SUV lineup. It used to be the entry-level model, but that role has since been taken over by the smaller and, let’s be honest, fresher LBX. In terms of pricing, the UX is hard to split between aforementioned LBX and the larger NX.
It does beg the question, why get the UX? One could argue that it’s more a connoisseur’s choice than a logical one. One would have to really want this over its similarly priced and similarly priced stablemates.
But, as our editor-in-chief would say, anggulo lang ‘yan, and thus, we’re on a quest to find the point of this model. That said, Lexus did make our lives easier by introducing a new variant of the UX by adding the pure electric 300e. Maybe, just maybe, it makes more sense with battery power.
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Styling
The UX itself isn’t a familiar sight on our roads. For the most part, it seems that people would rather go for the NX and we don’t blame them. Nonetheless, it’s an interesting shape. It’s low-slung, rakish, and coupe-like, and quite frankly, it’s quite a stretch to call it a SUV, let alone a crossover. Only the unpainted cladding makes it appear to be a crossover.
Draped in a striking shade of rose gold called Copper Crest, it helps the UX 300e stand out from the carpark. It also helps that there are no tacky styling elements that make it scream ‘I’m an electric car!’ It wears its green credentials like a pair of cufflinks: Subtly.
For some people looking to buy an electric vehicle, it’s a plus. From what we can tell, the only distinguishing mark that separates this pure electric model from the hybrid version is the 300e badge on the tailgate and flaps on each side for the chargers. Yes, there are two charging ports on this particular UX.
Interior
Slashes, sweeps, and curves are strewn all over the interior of the UX 300e. It’s no different from the hybrid models, and you sit low inside even if you set the seats to its highest setting. It’s a bit of a love-hate affair but you can’t call it generic.
It’s rather refreshing to see a proper shroud for the instrument panel. There’s no ‘iPad glued to the dash’ here, and it gives the cabin a cozier ambiance. Yes, there’s a big screen on the dash top, but that’s par for the course these days. As for materials, it’s what anyone would expect from a Lexus with rich-feeling materials and textures. Yes, some bits do feel a bit, er, Toyota, but it’s nice Toyota.
But if there’s one sore point about the UX, that would be space…or the lack thereof. It’s totally fine at the front, but things get a little bit pinched at the back. Legroom is at a premium and so is headroom. Yes, a family can fit, but we recommend going on short trips with it instead of long provincial jaunts.
The limited cargo capacity also means one will have to play luggage Tetris when packing; not ideal for those who need to bring a baby carriage. Ask us how we know.
Performance
Let’s lay the numbers on the table. The Lexus UX 300e uses a single electric motor with a 72.8kWh battery back. It’s good for 201hp and 300Nm of torque, which is about the same as what you get from a compact turbo engine these days.
It’s not ‘woah’ numbers but it’s the power delivery that impresses. For those who want immediate response, it’s hard to beat an EV. While it’s no sports car, the performance is more than enough for most and offers buckets of overtaking confidence.
Power delivery is also smooth and refined while the throttle is progressive and won’t scare rookie drivers. This is easily one of the best starter EVs out there. Then again, it should be given that it’s a Lexus.
More important is range and the UX 300e delivers on that front as well. We observed 8km/kWh in city driving and 11km/kWh in light traffic. With a battery capacity like that, we believe Lexus’ claim of 400km per full charge. Again, a great starter EV. If there’s any points for improvement, it would be the charging time. It takes over an hour to get from 10 percent to 80 percent whereas most EVs can do that in much less.
Ride and handling
Yes, it looks low-slung and sporty, but we wouldn’t call the UX thrilling. Roadholding is good, though, and handling can be best described as competent. For its target market, they’ll appreciate the light steering and secure handling. Enthusiasts can appreciate its agility even if, admittedly, some rivals offer more feedback.
But it’s hard to beat the UX’s refinement, especially at higher cruising speeds. Ride is best described as supple. Impact harshness after hitting potholes is kept to a minimum, and the body stays level even on undulating roads. Impressive chassis tuning, we say. Of course, it also helps that the bulk of the weight is kept in the lower half of the chassis.
It sounds like all great news but we wish for better brakes. It’s not that they don’t stop the car, but they do it a little too well. The grabby action reminded us of old hybrids and there’s a bit of a learning curve to brake smoothly. The rest of the package is good, though.
Extra features
Unlike most of its Continental competitors, the UX 300e comes with a full suite of advanced driver assist systems or ADAS. Dubbed Lexus Safety Sense in this case, it includes adaptive cruise, autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, and lane departure warning, to name a few.
The cabin isn’t exactly cavernous, so we’re wondering how Lexus managed to shove 13 speakers inside to pump out tunes from its Mark Levinson sound system. Audiophiles will like it while regular folks will thoroughly enjoy it. It almost feels like a waste to just listen to podcasts with it, to be honest.
But what amused us the most are the dual charging sockets. As the world still tries to decide on a universal charger type, it seems that Lexus decided to just cover all the bases. On one side, there’s a CHAdeMO port, while the other is for Type 2 plugs. It’s not exactly a cost-effective solution, but it’s a nice ‘just in case’ feature.
Verdict
So, does the UX make more sense as an EV? The answer isn’t straightforward because, as a car, there are some glaring shortcomings; chief among which is practicality. It may have five doors but the space at the back is barely passable for family use. Charging times aren’t the fastest, either.
However, the UX does do the electric car stuff well. There’s good performance and, more importantly, even better battery consumption. Grabby brakes aside, it drives and rides like normal car, and more specifically, like a Lexus should. And while EVs are generally refined, it seems that the UX takes it a notch higher. It’s quite the feat for a car based on a combustion engine platform adapted for electric power.
At P3,898,000, it’s about P900,000 more than the top-spec UX hybrid. It’s just a hair less than the similarly-sized (and also battery-powered) BMW iX1 that retails for P3,900,000, although it’s significantly cheaper than the Mercedes-Benz EQB (P4,290,000). Its main rivals are also based on existing combustion engine-based platforms, too. The BMW and Mercedes offer more room and greater practicality, making us wonder what the true purpose of the UX 300e is in the Lexus lineup.
But after much deliberation, we think we’ve figured it out. For those who’d like an electric Lexus but can’t quite stomach the RZ 450e’s P5,228,000 price tag, the UX 300e is a brilliant alternative. Although its tight rear quarters limit its appeal, we reckon that this battery-powered UX is perfect for monied empty nesters or DINK (Dual Income, No Kids) households. Yes, they do exist, and we think they should check this one out.
SPECS: 2025 Lexus UX 300e
Price: P3,898,000
Motor and battery: AC Permanent magnet motor, 72.82 kWh capacity
Power: 201hp
Torque: 300Nm
Transmission: Single-speed
Layout: Front-wheel-drive
Seating: 5
Score: 7/10
