Source: Motorpress / Lexus South Africa
AND THEN THERE WERE TWO: LEXUS UX LUXURY COMPACT CROSSOVER EXPANDS HYBRID LINE-UP
The 2020 Lexus UX 250 hybrid Luxury Compact Crossover, now in its first year since launch in South Africa, continues to impress drivers with its surprising attention to detail, charismatic design and smooth hybrid drive.
Lexus introduces new entry-level UX 250h EX grade
The UX is a leap forward in the compact luxury crossover segment. This is no surprise, as Lexus designers created an overall design theme inspired by a secure, robust look, crossbred with the stance of a sports car.
Lexus is excited to announce a new addition to its UX hybrid family by introducing the 250 hybrid EX (entry-level) grade, boasting a new standard of value, technology and style. This now brings the total number of UX hybrid model grades to two.
Customers are now spoilt for choice with four model grades in total under the UX banner. The range starts with an entry-level petrol 200 EX, followed by the new ES 250h EX, the UX 250h SE (top spec) and topped off by the exceptional UX 200 F Sport.
UX 250h customers will now be provided with greater choice, thanks to the competitively-priced EX grade, which delivers the same excellent outputs and drive as its SE sibling. Both hybrid models are equipped with the highly-efficient 2.0‑litre petrol engine with a new fourth-generation hybrid drive system engineered specifically for this platform.
NOTHING’S BASIC ABOUT THIS ENTRY HYBRID MODEL
As with the SE Hybrid model grade, the new UX 250h EX is similarly-specced, and comes standard with features such as park distance control with a reverse camera (without panoramic view), push start system, Drive Mode Select, which allows the driver to tailor the driving experience by selecting from three different drive modes (Normal, ECO and Sport), as well as niceties such as two rear USB charging ports (ideal for passengers), a navigation system and a hands-free rear boot. In addition, other standard features include Normal Cruise Control, Heated Power Retractable Side Mirrors as well as Day and Night Mirrors.
In the cabin, the UX 250h EX model is available with five standard Nulux (simulated leather) interior options, namely Black, White Ash, Rich Cream, B Ocher and Cobalt. The Lexus Remote Touch Interface (RTI) with haptic feedback is designed to feel as familiar to use as a smartphone. It also features the Lexus 8-Speaker Premium Sound System which uses bamboo charcoal speaker diaphragms to reduce mass and deliver natural-sounding voices and improved mid-range sound.
Exterior-wise, the UX 250h EX comes standard with 18-inch aluminum alloy aero-ventilating wheels which are available in a standard silver metallic colour. The model also features front LED daytime running lights, arranged in an arrowhead motif above the headlights which complement the Lexus L-shaped lighting signature.
This model is available in 11 exterior colours: Platinum Silver, Sonic Titanium, Sonic Quartz, Mercury Grey, Black, Graphite Black, Madder Red, Amber, Blazing Carnelian, Terrane Khaki and Celestial Blue.
A SUPERIOR HYBRID DRIVE
The new Lexus UX 250h EX boasts the same efficiency and performance as its SE grade sibling. With 135kW total system output, the UX 250h is not only the fuel efficiency leader in the UX family, but also the performance leader.
This hybrid provides exhilarating driving with high-speed responsiveness and a feeling of smooth, natural acceleration. The UX 250h is available with front-wheel drive. The 2.0-litre petrol engine alone delivers 107kW of power at 6000rpm and 180Nm of torque at 4400rpm, equating to a 0-100km/h sprint time of 8.5 seconds, topped off by a maximum speed of 177 km/h. It produces fuel economy figures of 4.5-litres/100km combined, CO2 emissions of 103g/km.
Lexus Sales and Marketing Vice President, Glenn Crompton says: “Expanding the UX 250h line-up was a natural extension for the Lexus newbie, which has been a sales driver in the local market for the brand. Lexus has furthermore enjoyed a good market share for hybrid sales over the last year. In 2019 Lexus commanded a 39 percent market share of all hybrid and electric sales in the premium sector.”
“The greater number of Lexus customers purchasing the UX can now have the luxury of choice, supplemented by a new standard of range-wide connectivity,” Crompton concludes.
CONNECTIVITY REDEFINED
An all-new feature across the UX 2020 range is the revised infotainment system which now includes Apple CarPlay®2 and Android™3 Auto compatibility as standard, this includes free Wi-Fi connectivity for the driver and passengers under the ‘Lexus Connect’ banner.
LEXUS UX PRICES AND SERVICE INFORMATION
The Lexus UX 250h EX retails for R 690 300. The entry-level petrol UX 200 EX retails for R654 700, the UX 250h SE model retails for R756 200 and the F Sport for R785 400.
The EX Hybrid model joins the rest of the Lexus models with a standard and best-in-class 7-year/105 000km Warranty and Full Maintenance Plan. Vehicle service intervals are set at every 15 000km, alternatively once a year.
Lexus is excited to announce a new addition to its UX hybrid family by introducing the 250 hybrid EX (entry-level) grade, boasting a new standard of value, technology and style. This now brings the total number of UX hybrid model grades to two.
Customers are now spoilt for choice with four model grades in total under the UX banner. The range starts with an entry-level petrol 200 EX, followed by the new ES 250h EX, the UX 250h SE (top spec) and topped off by the exceptional UX 200 F Sport.
UX 250h customers will now be provided with greater choice, thanks to the competitively-priced EX grade, which delivers the same excellent outputs and drive as its SE sibling. Both hybrid models are equipped with the highly-efficient 2.0‑litre petrol engine with a new fourth-generation hybrid drive system engineered specifically for this platform.
NOTHING’S BASIC ABOUT THIS ENTRY HYBRID MODEL
As with the SE Hybrid model grade, the new UX 250h EX is similarly-specced, and comes standard with features such as park distance control with a reverse camera (without panoramic view), push start system, Drive Mode Select, which allows the driver to tailor the driving experience by selecting from three different drive modes (Normal, ECO and Sport), as well as niceties such as two rear USB charging ports (ideal for passengers), a navigation system and a hands-free rear boot. In addition, other standard features include Normal Cruise Control, Heated Power Retractable Side Mirrors as well as Day and Night Mirrors.
In the cabin, the UX 250h EX model is available with five standard Nulux (simulated leather) interior options, namely Black, White Ash, Rich Cream, B Ocher and Cobalt. The Lexus Remote Touch Interface (RTI) with haptic feedback is designed to feel as familiar to use as a smartphone. It also features the Lexus 8-Speaker Premium Sound System which uses bamboo charcoal speaker diaphragms to reduce mass and deliver natural-sounding voices and improved mid-range sound.
Exterior-wise, the UX 250h EX comes standard with 18-inch aluminum alloy aero-ventilating wheels which are available in a standard silver metallic colour. The model also features front LED daytime running lights, arranged in an arrowhead motif above the headlights which complement the Lexus L-shaped lighting signature.
This model is available in 11 exterior colours: Platinum Silver, Sonic Titanium, Sonic Quartz, Mercury Grey, Black, Graphite Black, Madder Red, Amber, Blazing Carnelian, Terrane Khaki and Celestial Blue.
A SUPERIOR HYBRID DRIVE
The new Lexus UX 250h EX boasts the same efficiency and performance as its SE grade sibling. With 135kW total system output, the UX 250h is not only the fuel efficiency leader in the UX family, but also the performance leader.
This hybrid provides exhilarating driving with high-speed responsiveness and a feeling of smooth, natural acceleration. The UX 250h is available with front-wheel drive. The 2.0-litre petrol engine alone delivers 107kW of power at 6000rpm and 180Nm of torque at 4400rpm, equating to a 0-100km/h sprint time of 8.5 seconds, topped off by a maximum speed of 177 km/h. It produces fuel economy figures of 4.5-litres/100km combined, CO2 emissions of 103g/km.
Lexus Sales and Marketing Vice President, Glenn Crompton says: “Expanding the UX 250h line-up was a natural extension for the Lexus newbie, which has been a sales driver in the local market for the brand. Lexus has furthermore enjoyed a good market share for hybrid sales over the last year. In 2019 Lexus commanded a 39 percent market share of all hybrid and electric sales in the premium sector.”
“The greater number of Lexus customers purchasing the UX can now have the luxury of choice, supplemented by a new standard of range-wide connectivity,” Crompton concludes.
CONNECTIVITY REDEFINED
An all-new feature across the UX 2020 range is the revised infotainment system which now includes Apple CarPlay®2 and Android™3 Auto compatibility as standard, this includes free Wi-Fi connectivity for the driver and passengers under the ‘Lexus Connect’ banner.
LEXUS UX PRICES AND SERVICE INFORMATION
The Lexus UX 250h EX retails for R 690 300. The entry-level petrol UX 200 EX retails for R654 700, the UX 250h SE model retails for R756 200 and the F Sport for R785 400.
The EX Hybrid model joins the rest of the Lexus models with a standard and best-in-class 7-year/105 000km Warranty and Full Maintenance Plan. Vehicle service intervals are set at every 15 000km, alternatively once a year.
Competitive pricing for UX 250h
Boasts latest, fourth-generation self-charging Lexus hybrid system