Used 2022 Lexus UX

It’s a quiet year for the UX, a compact premium crossover SUV that remains the least expensive way of getting into a brand-new Lexus. Apart from some new paint colors and color-keyed fender liners, very little has changed with the UX, which continues to be available as a UX 200 or a UX 250h, a hybrid model that comes with standard all-wheel drive (AWD).

The UX 200 is powered by a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 169 horsepower. The UX 250h also has a 2.0-liter engine, but its gasoline engine is supplemented by front and rear electric motors. Total output of the UX hybrid is 181 horsepower.

This small Lexus SUV is quite comfortable. Although it’s technically a 5-seater, it’s best suited for four adults. We prefer the UX 250h over the standard UX, it has slightly more power than the standard UX200. It also achieves considerably better EPA estimated combined fuel economy: 42 mpg vs. 32 mpg.

In addition to its distinctive Lexus styling, the UX family of vehicles has excellent build quality and a generous amount of standard equipment. Reliability and resale value, as expected of this luxurious marque, are excellent.

Although the Lexus UX isn’t as fun or as lively on a twisty road as an Audi Q3, BMW X1, or a Volvo XC40, the refinement and utter dependability of this compact SUV are quite persuasive.

Note: Lexus will drop the gasoline-only UX 200 model from the lineup for 2023, so act now if you don’t want a hybrid.

We found the 2022 Lexus UX to be quite comfortable while offering an excellent forward view. While this compact Lexus SUV isn’t especially quick, it is comfortable, and its tight turning radius comes in handy around town.

Our favorite model remains the UX 250h hybrid, which has 181 total horsepower (versus 169 for the standard UX) and gets an estimated 43 mpg in the city. The Lexus UX 250h’s rear wheels are driven electrically (and seamlessly) from a standstill to 43 mph.

Technically, the Lexus UX is a 5-seater. But this compact crossover SUV is best suited for four adult-size persons. And those in the rear can’t be too tall because the back-seat legroom is only 33.1 inches.

Nor does the UX have an especially large cargo area. Its 21.7 cubic feet of cargo capacity (behind the rear seats) comes up short against the Audi Q3 (23.7), BMW X1 (27.1), VW Taos (27.9), and the Lincoln Corsair (27.6).

And because the UX 250h must accommodate the delivery of electric power to its rear wheels, its luggage area drops to only 17.1 cubic feet. On a positive note, the UX has fold-down grocery-bag hooks that are flush with the side panels when not in use. There’s also an available hands-free, foot-activated power rear hatch.

Up front, the UX seats are comfortable and supportive, with the driver getting power-adjustable lumbar support. The dash is canted toward the driver for a cockpit-like feel, and while Lexus infotainment systems aren’t universally praised for ease of use, the one in the UX has some extra controls accompanying the touchpad.

The UX offers 8-way power-adjustable front seats, with adjustable lumbar support for the driver. A leather-trimmed 3-spoke steering wheel and an analog clock, both from the luxurious LS Sedan, add a luxurious touch. When you order Lexus Climate Concierge, heating and cooling airflow are linked with the heated and ventilated seats for optimized temperature comfort.

NuLuxe, a synthetic leather upholstery, is offered in Black, Glazed Caramel, Birch, and Birch with Lapis. In the F Sport, you can also get Circuit Red seats.

There’s nothing subtle about the spindle-style Lexus grille, but it works well on the UX, whose upswept lower side character lines lend an aggressive air to this compact SUV.

New colors for 2022 include Grecian Water, Sonic Chrome, and Cadmium Orange. Also new for 2022 is color-keyed fender molding.

While the UX 250h looks much like a non-hybrid UX 200 (apart from its badges), the F Sport models get revised front and rear bumpers, and an exclusive grille with a mesh comprised of individual L-shaped pieces. The F Sport also sports unique 18-inch alloy wheels and jet-black body molding.

THE F SPORT PACKAGE
Available on the UX 200 and the UX 250h, the F Sport package includes firmer springs, larger stabilizer bars, and sport seats. It looks good, too, what with its exclusive grille, revised bumpers, and 5-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels.

LEXUS SAFETY SYSTEM+ 2.0
Every new UX has Lexus Safety System+ 2.0. This safety suite includes automatic emergency braking (with pedestrian detection), blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning with steering assistance.

The 2022 Lexus UX is available in base, Luxury, and F Sport trim levels.

Base UX 200s come standard with a push-button starter, NuLuxe synthetic leather upholstery, a drive mode selector (with Sport, Normal, and Eco drive modes), a 7-inch color multifunction display, navigation, dual-zone automatic climate control, an 8-way power-adjustable front seat, a 60/40 folding rear seat, and a tonneau cover. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard.

In Luxury trim, the 2022 Lexus UX gets memory for the driver’s seat and outside mirrors, plus other neat details such as LED-illuminated air-vent knobs, aluminum scuff plates, power-folding outside mirrors, acoustic rear side glass, and a power rear hatch with a kick sensor.

In addition to its sport-tuned suspension and 18-inch run-flat tires, the UX F Sport models get a unique grille and bumpers, plus LED foglamps, heavily bolstered sport seats, paddle shifters, and perforated leather on the steering wheel and shifter. The F Sport also gets an 8-inch infotainment screen, sportier instruments, active sound control, and aluminum pedal covers.

Options on the 2022 Lexus UX include a hands-free power hatch with a kick sensor, a power tilt-and-slide moonroof, a heated steering wheel, and a windshield de-icer.

If you order the optional Premium package, the 2022 Lexus UX comes with heated and vented front seats, a power tilt-and-slide moonroof, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and Washi interior trim (which is inspired by the traditional Japanese art of drawing on paper).

On F Sport models, though, the Premium package includes only the heated front seats, moonroof, and rain-sensing wipers.

The 2022 Lexus UX F Sport also can be ordered with a Luxury package that includes all the contents of the Premium package but adds heated and vented front seats, memory for the driver’s seat and exterior mirrors, power-folding outside mirrors, and a power rear hatch with a kick sensor.

Other available options include a head-up display, a wireless smartphone charger, active LED headlights, rear cross-traffic braking, and a navigation system with a 10.3-inch multimedia display.

The 2022 Lexus UX 200 is equipped with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that makes 169 horsepower. It drives the front wheels through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). But it’s not a standard CVT. It has a traditional first gear for a snappier off-the-line response, and then it switches over to smooth CVT operation.

As a hybrid, the Lexus UX 250h hybrid boasts a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine, plus front and rear electric motors and a nickel-metal hydride battery. Total output: 181 horsepower. A conventional CVT sends power to the front wheels, while the rear wheels are powered directly by a rear electric motor at speeds of up to 43 mph. All UX 250h models are AWD.

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 + 2 electric motors & 24-kW battery (UX 250h)
181 total horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 43/41 mpg (FWD), 41/38 mpg (AWD)