Summary
The Lexus UX Hybrid is a premium compact SUV/crossover and the first model in this sector for Lexus. The UX shares its underpinnings with several Toyota models and is only available in the UK as a petrol-electric hybrid.
An electric version of the Lexus UX called the UX 300e joined the range in 2020. We have built a separate page for that model as it drives somewhat differently to the conventional UX Hybrid models covered here.
The UX has received mostly average to good scores from the UK motoring media. Reviewers have praised its urban fuel economy and driving dynamics, which are greatly helped by its hybrid drivetrain, but have criticised its poor infotainment system and cramped interior dimensions.
As of January 2025, the Lexus UX Hybrid holds a New Car Expert Rating of B with a score of 66%.
Key specifications
Body style: Compact SUV/crossover
Power unit: petrol-electric hybrid
Price: From £34,770 on-road
Launched: Spring 2019
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
The Car Expert
“Those who spend most of their driving time around towns and villages will no doubt find the Lexus UX suits them down to the ground.”
Read review
Auto Express
Model reviewed:
Score: 7 / 10
“The Lexus UX hybrid is good to drive, economical and should be easy to live with, too.”
Read review
Score: 7 / 10
“The Lexus UX is a compelling alternative to the best compact SUVs you can buy. The styling is daring and different, the interior is finished to the usual Lexus high standards, and it’s packed with an impressive array of safety equipment.”
Read review
Model reviewed: UX 250h
Score: 7 / 10
“The UX is a likeable compact SUV and arguably the best car Lexus makes. However, few UK buyers will see the benefit in the four-wheel drive version, especially when it costs more to buy, fuel and tax than the front-wheel-drive UX – some of the main draws of owning the hybrid Lexus.”
Read review
Auto Trader
Score: 6 / 10
“Dynamically speaking, the UX is the most competitive car Lexus makes, blending a comfortable ride with neat, controlled handling. However, if you’re looking for family-friendly practicality, you’ll need to look elsewhere, due to the UX’s cramped rear seats and tiny boot.”
Read review
Car
Model reviewed: 250h Luxury
Score: 6 / 10
“There’s no doubting that if you’re in the front, at least, the Lexus UX is a cocooningly pleasurable place in which to spend time. It soothes with its comfort, quietness and air of refinement, particularly if you stick with the standard 17-inch wheels and go for a Luxury specification model.”
Read review
Carbuyer
Model reviewed:
Score: 7.8 / 10
“The economical Lexus UX looks and feels great, but falls short on versatility.” (Andy Goodwin)
Read review
Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Lexus UX is a striking small SUV with a classy, well-equipped interior, but those looks won’t be to everyone’s taste and the infotainment system is about the fiddliest there is.”
Read review
Company Car Today
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol hybrid automatic 250h Takumi
Score: 7.8 / 10
“The Lexus UX stacks up brilliantly for business drivers, but has practicality issues and some styling and especially usability nuances that would improve the car if ironed out.”
Read review
Daily Mirror
Model reviewed: UX 250h F Sport
Score: 8 / 10
“The Lexus UX F Sport with Takumi Pack may be difficult to get to grips with at first – but once you do you’ll find it’s beautifully complicated.”
Read review
Discover EV
Model reviewed: Takumi
Score: 8 / 10
“As a hybrid-only model, the Lexus UX makes a bold statement in the compact SUV market: efficient, fun to drive and eye-catching. But many alternatives are cheaper and more spacious.”
Read review
Green Car Guide
Model reviewed: UX 250h
Score: 8 / 10
“The Lexus UX 250h is a compact SUV, it has an efficient petrol-electric hybrid powertrain, and a premium badge, so it ticks lots of boxes with potential buyers – and it’s also good to drive.”
Read review
Heycar
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“There is no shortage of posh SUVs to choose from, but if you’re looking for a posh hybrid SUV your choice is more limited. Sure, some cars offer hybrid versions, but none have a range that is entirely hybrid like the Lexus UX.”
Read review
Honest John
“It’s frustrating that more effort hasn’t been concentrated on giving the UX an extra sprinkling of showroom appeal, but the budget has clearly been spent on producing a car that’s well built and will be cheap to run.”
Read review
Motoring Research
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Not perfect, but painless to drive and own.”
Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8 / 10
“Compact crossover is an intriguing, leftfield choice”
Read review
The Sun
“Is the UX enough to compete with the XC40? For me, not quite. But it’s the first Lexus which knows exactly what customers want, rather than persuading them to break the norm and take a gamble.”
Read review
The Sunday Times
Model reviewed: UX 250h SE (FWD)
Score: 7 / 10
“Everything we’ve come to expect from the bigger Lexus SUVs, but in a tighter package.”
Read review
The Telegraph
Model reviewed: UX 200h F Sport
Score: 6 / 10
“The family SUV market really needs hybrid cars like this to reduce CO2 emissions and provide an alternative to diesel. Unfortunately the UX, while providing a serviceable hybrid drivetrain, misses the mark with its poor internal packaging, connectivity options and screen graphics.”
Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed: 250h
Score: 7 / 10
“It’s more interesting, and more town-friendly, than most of its immediate rivals.”
Read review
Score: 7 / 10
“In a tax (and social) environment increasingly turning against diesel, the UX hybrid offers a unique solution and silhouette in a crowded segment”
Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: May 2019
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 96%
Child protection: 85%
Vulnerable road users: 82%
Safety assist: 77%
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of January 2025, the Lexus UX Hybrid has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of January 2025, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Lexus UX to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the UX, we’ll publish the score here.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
Fuel consumption | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
Hybrid models | 50 mpg | B | 47 – 53 mpg | B – C |
CO₂ output | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
Hybrid models | 129 g/km | A | 120 – 137 g/km | A – B |
Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
All models | 25 | B | 22 – 50 | A – F |
Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
Year 1 | £253 | B |
Year 2 | £639 | B |
Year 3 | £1,054 | C |
Year 4 | £1,250 | C |
Year 5 | £1,626 | B |
Overall | £4,822 | B |
The Lexus UX Hybrid is a relatively affordable car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
Fuel consumption is very good, although – like all hybrids – your results will very much depend on how careful you are with the accelerator and brake pedals to maximise use of the electric motor and battery.
Servicing and insurance costs are also likely to be better than average for the first five years of ownership, which is good for a premium-price car.
Security rating
Independent vehicle theft and security ratings from Thatcham Research
Rating: Superior | Good | Basic | Poor | Unacceptable
Relay Attack: Fail
Date: 2019
The Lexus UX Hybrid received a Poor rating because it failed a relay attack test, which measures the security of a car’s keyless entry and/or keyless start system. This means the car is susceptible to thieves intercepting its keyless signal and using it to steal the car.
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Lexus UX Hybrid, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Audi Q3 | BMW X1 | BMW X2 | DS 3 Crossback | Jaguar E-Pace | Lexus UX Electric | Mercedes-Benz GLA | Range Rover Evoque | Volvo XC40
More information
More news, reviews and information about the Lexus UX at The Car Expert
Buy a Lexus UX
If you’re looking to buy a new or used Lexus UX, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find the right car.
Find your next used car with Motors. Find out more
Find your next new or used car with Auto Trader. Find out more
Find your next new or used car with Carwow. Find out more
Lease a Lexus UX
If you’re looking to lease a new Lexus UX, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find a competitive deal.
Personal contract hire deals from Leasing.com. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from Carparison Leasing. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from Select Car Leasing. Find out more
Subscribe to a Lexus UX
If you’re interested in a car subscription, The Car Expert’s partners can help. (PS: What’s a car subscription?)
Car subscriptions from DriveFuze.
Find out more
Car subscriptions from Wagonex.
Find out more
Car subscriptions from Cocoon.
Find out more