Lexus UX review - MPG, CO2 and running costs

Lexus calls UX 250h models ‘self-charging hybrids’, which means you never need to connect a UX to a charging point. The flip-side is that you shouldn’t expect the same high levels of fuel-efficiency that a plug-in hybrid promises, as the realistic all-electric range is limited to just a couple of miles. 

Official WLTP fuel economy figures are 50.4 to 53.3mpg for front-wheel-drive UX models. The range of values is due to some equipment, such as larger alloy wheels, affecting fuel consumption. As for all-wheel-drive variants, these are claimed to be capable of returning 47.1mpg.

As for emissions, Lexus claims that two-wheel-drive models will emit between 120-128g/km of CO2, while all-wheel-drive versions will produce 136-137g/km. Either way, these figures won't be overly attractive to company car drivers, due to the UX's 29-30 per cent benefit-in-kind tax rate.

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However electric cars promise to be easier on the wallet in terms of running costs. Lexus claims a range of up to 196 miles is possible from the current UX 300e when fitted with 17-inch alloys and 190 miles for those with larger 18-inch wheels. This is made possible thanks to a 54.3kWh battery pack, however the updated UX 300e arriving in 2023 will feature a larger 72.8kWh battery for a range of 250 miles.

The UX 300e’s maximum charging speed is a rather poor 50kW that’s far from competitive in 2023. What’s more, the car uses the similarly outdated CHAdeMO charging standard, not the CCS charging connector which you’ll find in almost every other new EV today. Find a public rapid charger with a CHAdeMO cable and a 10 to 80 per cent will take 52 minutes, while a standard 7kW home wallbox will need eight hours to fully replenish the outgoing model’s battery.

Insurance groups

The overwhelming majority of UX models sit in insurance group 22, 23 or 26. The electric UX 300e will likely cost you a little more on insurance, as it sits several groups further up, with a group 38 rating. Still, the more mature clientele Lexus typically attracts and the number of active and passive safety features included across the range should help keep insurance premiums relatively low.

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Depreciation

The entry front-wheel-drive UX model is by a small margin the strongest performer in terms of residual values, keeping around 56 per cent of its value over a typical three-year/36,000-mile ownership period. In comparison, the expensive Takumi versions retain 49-51 per cent. Four-wheel-drive cars sit at around 49-52 per cent, while the all-electric 300e varies between 50-54 per cent depending on trim level.

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