The Lexus UX gets a series of minor updates for 2021, including mechanical tweaks, interior changes and reshuffled option packages.
The cost of entry into the UX range is also more than $2000 lower than before, with the UX200 Luxury starting at $44,445 before on-road costs.
To achieve this, Lexus has effectively taken some features out of the base model and put them in a new option package which costs just under $2000.
Other models have also received price reductions of under $400.
Lexus has tweaked the clutch oil pressure to give the continuously-variable transmission a smoother operation, while also recalibrating some powertrain electronics to make acceleration more refined and responsive.
The company has also added some more sound-absorbing materials to reduce cabin noise, while luggage space has been significantly expanded.
The UX200 now has 419L or 424L of luggage space, depending on whether 17- or 18-inch alloy wheels are fitted, while the UX250h has 368L plus a new double-deck tray.
That’s up from as little as 327L in the 2020 UX200 and 334L in the UX250h, and this repackaging has been achieved without removing the space-saver spare in models with 17-inch wheels. Those with 18-inch wheels still have a repair kit as they use run-flat tyres.
Other changes include traffic sign recognition that can now detect school zone speed signs, plus the addition of two USB-C ports in the rear console. There’s also a new option package for the base UX200 Luxury.
Lexus says it’s going to secure more UX250h models moving forward, with sales of the hybrid model accounting for just over 42 per cent of all UX sales from January to October.
Across the wider Lexus range, hybrids account for one-third of sales.
The new, lower base price brings the base UX closer in price to the ageing CT200h hatchback which costs $41,750 before on-roads.
The UX range will soon be bolstered by a battery-electric version called the UX300e, which will join the local range next November.
Introduced in 2019, the UX is Lexus’s entry-level SUV and rivals the Audi Q2 and Volvo XC40. If you count the optional Enhancement Packs, Lexus offers 21 different variants of the UX.
Pricing
- 2021 Lexus UX200 Luxury: $44,445
- 2021 Lexus UX200 Luxury + Enhancement Pack 1: $46,425
- 2021 Lexus UX200 Luxury + Enhancement Pack 2: $48,175
- 2021 Lexus UX200 Luxury + Enhancement Pack 3: $50,225
- 2021 Lexus UX250h Luxury + EP2: $52,025
- 2021 Lexus UX250h Luxury + EP3: $54,075
- 2021 Lexus UX200 Sports Luxury: $55,250
- 2021 Lexus UX200 F Sport: $55,750
- 2021 Lexus UX200 F Sport + EP1: $58,250
- 2021 Lexus UX200 Sports Luxury + EP: $58,750
- 2021 Lexus UX250h Sports Luxury: $59,100
- 2021 Lexus UX250h F Sport: $59,600
- 2021 Lexus UX200 F Sport + EP 2: $61,350
- 2021 Lexus UX250h F Sport + EP 2: $62,100
- 2021 Lexus UX250h Sports Luxury + EP: $62,600
- 2021 Lexus UX250h Sports Luxury AWD: $63,600
- 2021 Lexus UX250h F Sport AWD: $64,100
- 2021 Lexus UX250h F Sport + EP 3: $65,200
- 2021 Lexus UX250h F Sport AWD + EP 2: $66,600
- 2021 Lexus UX250h Sports Luxury AWD + EP: $67,100
- 2021 Lexus UX250h F Sport AWD + EP 3: $69,700
All prices exclude on-road costs.
Engines
The 2021 Lexus UX200 uses a naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 126kW of power and 205Nm of torque. It’s mated exclusively to a continuously-variable transmission (CVT) and is only available with front-wheel drive.
The 2021 Lexus UX250h also uses a naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, but with 107kW and 188Nm. Combined with a nickel-metal hydride battery, the hybrid UX250h produces 131kW.
An electronic CVT is the only transmission, though the UX250h is available with either front- or all-wheel drive.
Fuel Economy
The 2021 Lexus UX200 consumes 5.8L/100km on the combined cycle, while the 2020 Lexus UX250h consumes 4.5L/100km with front-wheel drive and 4.7L/100km with all-wheel drive.
Dimensions
The 2021 Lexus UX measures 4495mm long, 1520mm tall and 1840mm wide.
The Lexus UX’s total luggage space varies depending on the model.
In the UX200 Luxury it’s 419L, increasing to 424L in the UX200 F Sport and Sports Luxury models. It’s 368L in the UX250h.
Models with 17-inch wheels have a space-saver spare while those with 18-inch wheels, which feature run-flat tyres, have a repair kit.
Servicing
All 2021 Lexus UX models require servicing every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.
Lexus offers three years of capped price servicing for the UX. Each service costs $495.
Safety
The Lexus UX has a five-star safety rating from ANCAP based on testing conducted in 2019.
All models received an adult occupant protection score of 96 per cent, child occupant protection score of 88 per cent, vulnerable road user protection score of 82 per cent and a safety assist score of 83 per cent.
All 2021 Lexus UX models come standard with the following safety equipment:
- Autonomous emergency braking with forward-collision warning and daytime pedestrian and cyclist detection
- Lane-departure warning
- Lane-keeping assist
- Traffic sign recognition
- Anti-lock brakes
- Eight airbags
All bar the base UX200 also feature blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.
Standard Equipment
The 2021 Lexus UX200 Luxury comes standard with the following features:
- 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and satellite navigation
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Power-folding, heated exterior mirrors
- Dual-zone climate control
- Adaptive cruise control
- Automatic high beam
- Push-button start
- Power tilt and telescoping steering column
- Reversing camera with rear parking sensors
- Eight-speaker sound system
- Electronic parking brake
- Artificial leather seats
- Heated front seats
- 10-way power driver’s seat
- Eight-way power passenger’s seat
- LED headlights and daytime running lights
Enhancement Pack 1 adds:
- LED fog lights
- Roof rails
- Keyless entry
- DAB+ digital radio
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
The UX200 Luxury and UX250h Luxury with Enhancement Pack 2 adds the features of Enhancement Pack 1 plus:
- Power tailgate
- Wireless phone charging
- Cornering lights
- Headlight washers
- Privacy glass
Enhancement Pack 3 adds to the UX200 and UX250h:
- Power tailgate
- Wireless phone charging
- Cornering lights
- Headlight washers
- Privacy glass
- Sunroof
18-inch alloys are a $1595 option on all UX200 Luxury models and $1520 on all UX250h Luxury models.
The Sports Luxury and F Sport add all the features of the Luxury’s Enhancement Packs 1, 2 and 3 except the sunroof, while also adding:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Ventilated front seats
- Adaptive high beam
- Adaptive suspension (F Sport)
- Surround-view camera (Sports Luxury)
- 13-speaker Mark Levinson sound system (Sports Luxury)
The Sports Luxury’s unnumbered Enhancement Pack adds:
- Sunroof
- Head-up display
- Smart key card
The F Sport’s Enhancement Pack 1 adds only a sunroof, while its Enhancement Pack 2 adds:
- Sunroof
- Surround-view camera
- 13-speaker Mark Levinson sound system
- Head-up display
- Smart key card
