Used 2020 Lexus UX

The 2020 Lexus UX is the least expensive way of getting into a brand-new Lexus. As an added bonus, it’s also a crossover SUV, that most desired of vehicles. But it’s a small crossover.

However, it still enjoys the particular Lexus styling language, along with the usual high levels of build quality and standard equipment. The UX is only a year old, so there’s not a lot of data on it yet, but we’re also willing to bet that reliability and resale values are also going to be impressive.

The UX comes with a regular drivetrain in the UX 200, or a hybrid setup in the UX 250h, which also comes with a limited form of all-wheel drive as standard. Neither version is as lively as, say, the BMW X1 or Volvo XC40, but a dearth of driving thrills has never stopped any Lexus from being popular.

Bear in mind that Lexus vehicles never have the enthusiast edge that always seems apparent in BMW’s efforts. Neither the UX 200 nor the UX 250h will get pulses racing (8.9 seconds from standstill to 60 mph for the UX 200) or encourage owners to go rock-crawling at the weekends.

Instead, the UX puts its eggs in the comfort basket. The ride quality is supple, and the seats are well cushioned. The driving position is the usual raised affair in crossover SUVs and forward vision is excellent. The tight turning circle and modest dimensions make this a smart choice for running around town, then squeezing into parking spaces that bigger vehicles would drive past.

After testing the UX 200 and UX 250h back-to-back, we prefer the hybrid. It has a little more power — 181 total horsepower compared with 169 — and has the benefit of powering the rear wheels as well as the fronts, at least until 43 mph.

Technically, the Lexus UX is a 5-seater. But since this is a subcompact-crossover SUV, it’s probably better for four persons if they’re adult-sized. And not too tall, since rear legroom is only 33.1 inches.

This isn’t going to be a cargo-carrier’s dream either. The UX 200 has 21.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats. The BMW X1 fares better with 27.1 cubic feet.

Because the UX 250h has to accommodate its hybrid hardware, luggage area is 17.1 cubic feet — barely adequate for a couple of suitcases.

The situation up front is far more amenable, with comfortable and supportive seats, along with a dash canted toward the driver. Infotainment systems in Lexus vehicles are not particularly well regarded, but this one at least has some extra controls to accompany the touch pad.

Yes, there’s that distinct Lexus grille again, just like with the NX and RX crossover SUVs. It’s not subtle, but it goes arguably well with the rest of the shapes, lines and portions of the NX.

To complement this styling are some vivid colors like Cadmium Orange and Redline. The UX has 18-inch alloy wheels as standard.

The 2020 UX 250h doesn’t shout about its hybrid character, but rather whispers it with that lower-case “h” on its rear badge. Otherwise, it’s virtually indistinguishable from the UX 200.

LEXUS UX 250H HYBRID
It’s a $2,050 premium over the regular UX 200, but it’s a better call. Not just because of the extra muscle and partial all-wheel drive. It also adds greater fuel efficiency to the mix. The UX 250h averages 39 mph; the UX 200 manages 33 mpg, which is still respectable, but why buy something that uses more gas and makes more emissions?

LEXUS SAFETY SYSTEM+ 2.0
Every new UX has a full array of active assistance and safety features, referred to under the overall term of Lexus Safety System+ 2.0. This includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, radar-based adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning with steering assistance, and road-sign recognition.

The 2020 Lexus UX comes in base, F Sport and Luxury trim levels. The base version is nice enough, with LED headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, selectable driving modes (Eco, Normal and Sport), 8-way power-adjustable front seats, and the Lexus Safety System+ 2.0.

The infotainment system includes a 7-inch display, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto/Amazon Alexa compatibility, four USB ports, and Wi-Fi with a 4GB/one-year trial.

F-Sport variants aren’t more powerful, but have a sport-tuned suspension, bolstered front seats, paddle shifters, and an 8-inch display. Considering the UX isn’t inherently sporty, we might be inclined to give this model a miss.

A Premium package ($1,675) for the 2020 UX adds a power tilt/slide moonroof, heated/ventilated front seats, rain-sensing wipers, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

Top-line Luxury versions of the 2020 UX 200 and UX 250h come with a hands-free power tailgate, acoustic front glass for a quieter cabin, and all those features in the Premium package.

Other options include a 10.3-inch display with navigation (standard in Luxury trim), 8-speaker premium audio system, head-up display, self-dimming rearview mirror with universal garage remote, wireless charging, and a heated steering wheel.

The 2020 UX 200 has a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that makes 169 horsepower and drives the front wheels (FWD) through a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This latter item has a traditional first gear before clicking over automatically to CVT mode. It counteracts the much-despised “rubber-band” feel that typically plagues this kind of transmission.

The UX 250h hybrid augments its 2.0-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with two electric motors running off a nickel-metal-hydride battery pack. One electric motor drives the rear axle up to 43 mph. Total output is 181 horsepower and this drivetrain has a conventional CVT.

2.0-liter inline-4 (UX 200)
169 horsepower @ 6,600 rpm
151 lb-ft of torque @ 4,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 29/37 mpg

2.0-liter inline-4 + 24-kW battery (UX 250h)
181 total horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 41/38 mpg