Lexus has detailed an updated UX 300h hybrid crossover, which will hit the North American market in the new year.
The 2025 Lexus UX 300h boasts a range of upgrades over the outgoing UX 250h, including a brand-first new-generation hybrid system with more power, as well as upgraded technology and active safety features.
It’s unclear at this stage when Australia will see similar changes, if at all. CarExpert has reached out to Lexus Australia for further comment.
Headlining the running changes is the introduction of the fifth-generation Lexus Hybrid System, the first time the enhanced drivetrain tech has been used in a Lexus vehicle.
The UX 300h teams a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with two motor-generators and a planetary-type CVT automatic transmission.
Compared to the outgoing UX 250h, the UX 300h boasts a new lightweight lithium-ion battery pack in place of the old nickel-metal hydride battery. The 60-cell power storage unit is located under the rear seat.
There’s a new hybrid transaxle too, with higher-output front (83kW) and rear (30kW) electric motors – the latter is only applicable to AWD versions. System power has been boosted to 196hp (146kW), which is an 11kW increase over the outgoing UX 250h.
Lexus quotes a 0-60mph (0-97km/h) time of 7.9 seconds (8.0s FWD) for the UX 300h, which is around half a second quicker than the UX 250h according to global specifications.
Further, the company lists estimated fuel economy claims of 43mpg (5.4L/100km) for the FWD version, and 41mpg (5.7L/100km) for the AWD on the US test cycle. For reference, Australian models quote 4.5-4.7L/100km on the ADR test cycle.
Externally, the 2025 UX 300h is distinguished by a new Copper Crest paint option. Otherwise the standard and F Sport styling packages continue for the new model year.
Meanwhile, the interior has been updated with “a new layout of buttons on the door panels and chrome-finished ornamentation”.
“New hairline finishing has also been added to F Sport Handling models on the door panels and centre console,” the company says.
US-market UX 300h Premium and F Sport variants also score a new configurable 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster as standard – similar to that seen in Toyota models – while a smaller 7.0-inch display remains for Base models.
Rounding out the upgrades is the standard inclusion of Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, an enhanced suite of active safety and driver assistance technologies.
The Pre-Collision System (AEB) now includes Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist, which “helps support collision avoidance with certain detectable objects within the lane by applying gentle braking and steering operation under certain daytime conditions”; as well as an oncoming vehicle function when turning.
Curve Speed Management has been added to the adaptive cruise control, which can brake in anticipation of curves if required.
Existing features include Lane Tracing Assist (lane centring), Road Sign Assist and Proactive Driving Assist – the latter providing braking and steering assistance “to help support driving tasks such as distance control between the vehicle and a preceding vehicle, pedestrian or bicyclist”.
The Lexus UX line-up only recently received an update in Australia, bringing upgraded infotainment tech and connected services, aesthetic revisions for F Sport models, and chassis revisions to improve handling as well as comfort and refinement.
It also saw improvements to various Lexus Safety System assistance functions, some similar to those announced for the US market with the UX 300h. The all-electric UX 300e received similar changes, in addition to a significant improvement to driving range courtesy of a larger battery pack.
For 2023 the Lexus UX has been showing growth in the Australian market, with registrations up 103.9 per cent year to date as of November 30 according to VFACTS sales data.
With 2245 units registered, it’s fourth in segment behind the Volvo XC40 (5311), BMW X1 (4269) and Audi Q3 (4254).
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