2023 – 2024 Best SUV Find out which SUV is the best for 2022, 2023, and 2024. Here you can find professional reviews and rankings of all upcoming crossover and SUV cars.
The smallest crossover in the brand’s lineup has been around for a while. Therefore, we wouldn’t normally expect significant changes for the 2021 Lexus UX, which will be the third model year of the current generation. However, the Japanese manufacturer is bringing something completely new, the first-ever all-electric Lexus. It will come as the 2021 Lexus UX 300e and it will feature completely electric setup, with several design tweaks compared to the standard model.
Unfortunately, this version won’t come to North America. According to the company’s spokesmen, the electric UX will be offered in China and Europe, initially, as well as for the domestic market. On the other side, Toyota’s luxury division prepares something much bigger for the U.S. market, a much more upscale all-electric premiere. On the other side, standard models are about to carry on in the same way. You may count on familiar design characteristics, though there is always room for additions in terms of standard equipment.
2021 Lexus UX 300e – The First-Ever EV Lexus
Without any doubt, the biggest novelty for the next year will be the all-electric version of the small crossover. We already mentioned that it won’t come to the U.S. market. Still, we know the specs of the new version, which will hit European, Chinese and Japanese roads. The new electric version will be based on a 54-kWh battery, which will be packed under the floor. It will come in pair with a single electric motor, mounted on the front axle, with the max output of 201 horsepower and 220 pound-feet of torque. That definitely isn’t some impressive amount of power but should provide more than a decent driving experience.
Given the battery capacity, the max range of 250 miles also sounds pretty good. However, we still didn’t get more precise information about charging options.
2021 Lexus UX Powertrain
On the other side, the North American version will carry on in the same way. This means you may count on two familiar powertrain options. Base models will carry on with a well-known 2.0-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine. With 169 horsepower and 152 pound-feet of torque, it definitely won’t give you some spectacular performances but on the other side, you may count on unparalleled reliability. Moreover, you may count on probably the highest mpg ratings in the class among non-hybrid models. This small crossover returns around 29 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. Those are really impressive numbers.
If you’re looking for something even more efficient, you can get a hybrid version as well. In this case, the setup consists of a four-cylinder engine and two electric motors and delivers a total output of 181 horsepower. While driving dynamics aren’t much better, fuel economy goes all-away up to 41 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway. Those are some pretty serious numbers.
2021 Lexus UX Design
When it comes to base design characteristics, the 2021 Lexus UX definitely won’t change. This particularly refers to mechanics, which are based on the company’s new TNGA platform. It ensures excellent efficiency and pretty good driving experience. In terms of the styling, things will also remain pretty much unchanged, with the exception of a new all-electric version, which will come with a couple of new details, in order to accentuate its all-electric character.
The cabin of 2021 Lexus UX will also remain largely the same. This means you may count on a well-built cabin, full of quality materials, which also looks quite attractive. Given the model’s size, the amount of space, especially for rear passengers, isn’t particularly great. The same story goes for the cargo area. You may count on about 22 cubic feet behind the second row, which is a typical number for the class.
Features
We still don’t know details about the new all-electric version, but the rest of the lineup shouldn’t come with too many changes in terms of the standard equipment. The current model comes standard with tech goodies like dual-zone automatic climate control and an infotainment system with a 7-inch screen, the Lexus Remote Touch interface, six speakers, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hot spot, Bluetooth, and four USB ports. This list can be expanded with goodies like a moonroof, wireless device charging, and an upgraded infotainment system with a 10.25-inch screen, navigation, and an eight-speaker audio system.
When it comes to safety features, the list of standard equipment includes a rearview camera, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane keep assist and many more. Additionally, you can get goodies like a head-up display, front and rear parking sensors, rear cross traffic alert, and blind spot monitoring.
Release Date and Price
We expect that the 2021 Lexus UX will hit the market sometime in the last quarter of the year. The current model starts around 33.000 dollars and we don’t expect more significant changes in the future.
