The 2024 Lexus UX range is now exclusively electrified, bringing a more powerful hybrid system and an increase of nearly $10,000 to the price of entry – now starting from $55,370 plus on-road costs.
Gone are the UX 200 petrol and UX 250h hybrid models, replaced by the more powerful UX 300h hybrid to join the all-electric UX 300e which received a significant upgrade in battery and range in 2023.
“The UX 200 Petrol will no longer be produced for the Australian market as local Lexus customers continue to favour HEV, PHEV and BEV powertrains,” Lexus Australia said in its media release.
This now means the UX no longer undercuts the new LBX all-hybrid baby crossover as the cheapest Lexus on sale in Australia.
Headlining the changes is the enhanced 2.0-litre hybrid drivetrain in the UX 300h, which benefits from an 11kW bump in system power output to 146kW, matching the likes of the hybrid Toyota Corolla Cross and C-HR GR Sport.
This has been achieved through an upgraded intake and exhaust for the naturally-aspirated petrol engine, which now produces 112kW/188Nm on its own. Lexus has also added more powerful electric motors – 83kW up front and 30kW/84Nm at the rear (AWD).
The front e-motor in 2WD and AWD versions is 3kW more powerful than before, while the new rear transaxle boasts increases of 25kW and 29Nm in AWD versions.
Additionally, there’s a new lightweight lithium-ion (li-ion) hybrid battery which replaces the old nickel-metal hydride (Ni-Mh) unit which provides a “15 per cent greater per-cell output while lowering fuel consumption”.
As such, Lexus quotes combined fuel economy of 4.2L/100km for the UX 300h 2WD and 4.4L/100km for the AWD, both down on the outgoing UX 250h by 0.1L and 0.2L per 100km respectively.
Beyond the drivetrain enhancements for the hybrids, Lexus says there’s more equipment and upgraded Lexus Safety System assistance features included as standard as well, depending on variant.
Sports Luxury AWD models gain a standard moonroof and smart key card; meanwhile F Sport AWD variants gain the same equipment in addition to a heated steering wheel, panoramic view monitor, and 13-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio – largely the contents of the available Enhancement Packs on 2WD grades.
Theres a new Vehicle Braking Posture Control system which varies front-to-rear brake force distribution to minimise pitch and roll and enhance comfort; while Safe Exit Assist warns vehicles of oncoming vehicles or bicycles when exiting the UX to avoid a collision.
Lexus has also added a new Driver Monitor with steering-mounted cameras to monitor driver behaviour and distraction, and is linked to various active safety systems like adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert and the aptly named ‘Emergency Driving Stop System’.
The Parking Support Brake function additionally gains static object detection, while the autonomous emergency braking system can now detect motorcycles during daytime and cyclists at all hours, as well as intersection assistance.
Overseas model shown
Inside there’s a new 12.3-inch configurable digital instrument cluster (up from 7.0-inches) standard from the base UX 300h Luxury, while the UX 300e Luxury gets a colour head-up display.
The 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system picks up over-the-air software updates, as well as wireless Android Auto to augment the existing wireless Apple CarPlay. A shift-by-wire gear selector is also new.
A new Sonic Copper exterior paint replaces Blazing Carnelian, with the exterior palette remaining at up 10 choices for each variant. There’s also a new Solid White interior trim which replaces Rich Cream.
The updated Lexus UX range is available to order now.
2024 Lexus UX pricing
- 2024 Lexus UX 300h 2WD Luxury: $55,370 (+$1050)
- 2024 Lexus UX 300h 2WD Luxury + Enhancement Pack: $57,420
- 2024 Lexus UX 300h 2WD Sports Luxury: $62,320 (+$970)
- 2024 Lexus UX 300h 2WD Sports Luxury + Enhancement Pack: $65,820
- 2024 Lexus UX 300h 2WD F Sport: $63,110 (+$1115)
- 2024 Lexus UX 300h 2WD F Sport + Enhancement Pack 1: $65,610
- 2024 Lexus UX 300h 2WD F Sport + Enhancement Pack 2: $68,710
- 2024 Lexus UX 300h AWD Sports Luxury: $70,520 (+$4940)
- 2024 Lexus UX 300h AWD F Sport: $73,210 (+$6715)
- 2024 Lexus UX 300e Luxury: $80,720 (+$730)
- 2024 Lexus UX 300e Sports Luxury: $88,190 (+$525)
Prices exclude on-road costs
MORE: Everything Lexus UX
