* The Lexus UX outside.
* ... and inside.
Lexus UX road test
by Steve Rogers
This is going to
sound ridiculous but I lost my rag with the car's voice control.
Yes, it is a
computer and cannot answer back but after numerous attempts to change the radio
station - the answer was that it couldn't find the street - I shouted 'forget
it' followed by a few more insults.
Pathetic I know but there you go.
Others tried and
failed so it wasn't just me although I did manage to get it to accept a
navigation postcode, and that was no mean achievement.
I turned to voice
control because the Lexus UX coms system is fiddly and frustrating using a
touch pad in the centre console for selections. Trouble is the cursor dances
all over the place so it's easy to land on the wrong function and is difficult
to control even on the slowest setting, more so when driving.
Interestingly my
son thought it a great system but he was in the passenger seat although I was getting
the hang of it while sitting calmly in a car park. The more you try the easier
it becomes I suppose.
Enough of that,
what of the UX? It is getting a lot of air time on the telly because it is the newest
model in the Lexus range and as a compact SUVcum crossover is expected to be
the company's biggest seller ahead of the NX, which looks the same size, and
the larger RX.
This is an
overcrowded sector although as a premium model its main competitors are BMW,
Audi and Volvo even so it is going to be tough. At least UX has a unique
selling point in that it is the only self charging hybrid and has good tax
breaks because of its very low emissions. It also has the trademark rakish
looks and turned plenty of heads.
Compact it might be
but UX is not short on space, apart from the boot which is compromised by
batteries stored under the floor. Up front is the best place to be where the
seats are superbly comfortable and there is plenty of shoulder and elbow room.
Everything looks
business like and modern with an 8in screen containing all manner of
information tucked neatly at the base of the windscreen and a row of switches
for all things heating and that includes a heated steering wheel and heated and
ventilated front seats. There is no shortage of kit on this car and I am
pleased to report a head up display for the driver, brilliant for speed and
navigation info.
Saying the car
drives well is getting monotonous, the majority do these days, although the F
Sport ride is a tad hard but that goes with the territory and the go faster
bits extend to the switchable digital instrument cluster that has in your face
red graphics in sport mode.
Don't make the same mistake as me and kill the
headlights when reaching for the switch. They are close together and it is easy
to grab the wrong one in the dark.
Power for the UX
comes from a 2-litre petrol with an extra boost from the electric motor so
performance is brisk, particularly if you opt for F Sport which offers enhanced
driving modes, weighting up the steering and sharpening throttle response.
The little SUV does
not have stand-out driving dynamics over the opposition but is tidy none the
less. It comes with a full suite of safety features including active cornering
assist which applies braking to the inside wheel to help reduce understeer
through bends although I am certain you would have to be tanking it to feel the
advantage.
According to the
trip computer the UX settled around 44-45mpg over nearly 500 miles of mixed
driving but a delve into the history graphics showed it is capable of 60mpg.
So while UX does
not blow the mind it is a good looking, extremely well equipped and competent
motor with bang up to date technology. Its major drawback is a single hybrid
engine option when rivals offer more choice.
As a premium brand
it is not cheap but neither are its rivals. One disappointment is a three year
warranty when its Toyota sister gives five. Something like that could give it
an edge.
Key facts
UX F Sport
£33,905 (£39,905
with extras)
2-litre petrol
hybrid; 181bhp
0-62mph 8.5secs;
110mph
49.5-53.2mpg
combined
Emissions 97g/km.
1st year tax £130
Insurance group 22
