Introduction

Despite ferocious competition in the subcompact luxury crossover arena, the 2020 Lexus UX manages to stand apart. Its dimensions might be minuscule, but each UX boasts edgy styling and standard features that are more typical of larger vehicles. Billed by Lexus as an urban crossover, the UX is a strong choice for the budget-minded, whether in regular gas or thrifty hybrid guise. 

Only a handful of changes mark the 2020 model. The standard infotainment system adds Android Auto compatibility to Apple CarPlay, which had been introduced previously. Though welcome, this addition has no impact on the system's awkward and frustrating controller and menu-intensive displays. On the safety front, rear cross-traffic alert is now available,

Base, F Sport, and Luxury trim levels are offered, either as the gas-powered UX 200
or the hybrid UX 250h. 

The UX 200 is equipped with a 169-horsepower, 2.0-liter inline-4, teamed with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. A drive mode selector offers Sport, Normal, and Eco settings. 

A different 2.0-liter inline-4 goes into the UX 250h, working with fourth-generation hybrid technology. Dual electric motors provide power separately to front and rear wheels, making the UX an all-wheel-drive vehicle. Combined output from the gasoline/electric system is 176 horsepower. An unconventional CVT employs Direct Shift, to mimic operation of a 10-speed automatic transmission. Performance is stronger and fuel economy impresses. 

No UX is thirsty, while the hybrid version is an eco-friendly choice. The UX 200 is EPA-rated at 29 mpg city, 37 highway, and 33 combined. The AWD UX 250h sips gasoline at an impressive 41/38/39 mpg. Unlike most rivals, all UX models use regular gasoline. 

The Lexus UX has done well in most crash testing. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall safety rating, which is the highest possible. Meanwhile, the IIHS named it a Top Safety Pick, provided that specific headlights are installed. 

Standard active safety features include automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward-collision warnings, active lane control, lane-departure warnings, automatic high-beam headlights, and adaptive cruise control. The Luxury trim adds blind-spot monitors and rear cross-traffic alert, which are optional on the other trims. 

Lineup

Both the gas-powered UX200 and the hybrid UX 250h are available in base, F Sport, and Luxury trim levels. Prices include a $1,025 destination charge. 

The base UX 200 costs $33,325 and comes with dual-zone automatic climate control, synthetic leather upholstery, a six-speaker audio system, eight-way power front seats, keyless ignition, and 18-inch wheels. The infotainment system includes a 7.0-inch touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The UX 250h is priced from $35,525 and substitutes in the hybrid powertrain. 

The $35,325 UX 200 F Sport adds 18-inch wheels with run-flat tires, a tuned suspension, unique grille and bumpers, heavier-bolstered seats, aluminum pedals, LED fog lights, active sound control, paddle shifters, and performance-inspired instruments. The UX 250h F Sport costs $37,525. 

The UX 200 Luxury is priced from $38,525 and adds a 10.3-inch touchscreen, navigation, blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, heated and cooled front seats, a moonroof, and a power liftgate. The UX 250h Luxury starts at $40,725. 

Walkaround

Despite being short on curves, the Lexus UX is a design standout among subcompact crossover SUVs. Crisp, bold styling demonstrates the company's focus on greater refinement. Built on a short 104-inch wheelbase, the UX combines saucy dimensions with sharp body lines for a stylish, and truly adventurous, result. 

Up front, the familiar hourglass-shaped “spindle” grille is just as pinched-looking as it is on other Lexus models. Surface detailing beats the typical work seen on vehicles in this price class. 

LED headlights look sharp, sitting above a plastic bumper. Front-end appearance is echoed at the tail by small red fins, helping to create a cohesive look. 

Interior

Within its cramped cabin, the UX doesn't stand apart from other members of the Lexus lineup. Materials are intriguing, as are intersecting lines and numerous buttons that await driver attention. 

Bright, innovative interior hues give a more upscale feel than most rivals provide. Furnishings, too, reach past most crossovers. Instead of genuine leather, this Lexus gets a convincing synthetic version. 

Acceptable for a subcompact crossover, the UX isn't especially spacious. Standard power-adjustable front seats offer good head room, as long as a moonroof isn't installed. With the moonroof, head clearance doesn't quite reach 36 inches. 

Rear-seat riders get a mere 33.1 inches of legroom, but it feels a bit more spacious than that number suggests. Occupants must squeeze through tight door openings before reaching the seat, which contains a fold-down armrest and twin USB ports. 

A 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen is standard, but Luxury models get a 10.3-inch unit with navigation. Piano key-like buttons sit below the widescreen display on the center stack. No congrats are in order for the infotainment system itself. A console-mounted touchpad serves as the primary interface, and other controls are positioned where they're hard to see. 

Cargo space in hybrid models totals a modest 17.1 cubic feet with the rear seat upright. In the UX 200, cargo volume measures 21.7 cubic feet. 

Driving Impression

The Lexus UX is reasonably engaging for a crossover, but behaves in a wholly predictable manner. The powertrain is familiar, as is the hybrid technology in the UX 250h. Even the F Sport variant fails to stand out as exceptional in any meaningful way. 

Because the UX is short on power, acceleration is modest at best. Lexus claims that the regular UX 200 can accelerate to 60 mph in just under 9 seconds, which few are likely to consider lively. The hybrid is just slightly quicker when the gas pedal is pushed hard. In either form, the UX demonstrates little eagerness when starting off from a stop. 

The CVT features a fixed first gear, intended to yield better initial acceleration before switching automatically to the unlimited ratio mode. Ten preset ratios help the CVT behave roughly like a conventional automatic, but the experience isn't quite identical. Paddle shifters are included with the F Sport trim, though they won't quicken performance much. Like some other CVTs, the one in the UX can drone while accelerating. 

Ride quality, on the other hand, is surprisingly pleasant. Even the F Sport, with its slightly stiffer suspension, rides softly enough to cope well with urban potholes and rough spots. Suspension components emphasize ride comfort over handling prowess, but the UX corners quite confidently. Choosing from four drive modes alters steering heft noticeably. 

Only the UX 250h has all-wheel drive. Dual electric motors-one for each axle-provide marvelous slippery-road traction. 

Summary

Spacious and fuel-efficient, the 2020 Lexus UX stands out in styling and standard features. The two versions, UX 200 and UX 250h, are equipped almost identically, but the latter costs more. Priced similar to rival pint-sized crossovers, the UX is a better value in base form. 

-by James M. Flammang, with driving impressions from The Car Connection.