Summary
The Lexus UX Electric (UX 300e) is a battery-powered electric version of the estabished Lexus UX 250h Hybrid. It is the first fully-electric model from Lexus, launching in 2020 and arriving in the UK in early 2021.
The Lexus UX Electric is a point behind the regular UX Hybrid in our Expert Rating Index, obtaining a New Car Expert Rating of B with a score of 65% as of January 2024.
Reviewers have praised its urban driving dynamics, which is where its electric powertrain is best suited, but have criticised its poor infotainment system and cramped interior dimensions. Its driving range is also less than several significantly cheaper alternatives.
Lexus UX Electric highlights
- Leisurely driving experience
- Great build quality
- Powerful performance
- Comfortable interior trim
Lexus UX Electric lowlights
- Cramped rear seats and boot
- Shorter battery range than rivals
- Confusing infotainment
- Top trims get expensive
- Slow battery charging
Key specifications
Body style: Compact SUV/crossover
Power unit: single electric motor with battery
Price: From £47,495 on-road
Launched: Autumn 2020
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
Model reviewed: UX 300e
Score: 7 / 10
“Don’t be fooled by the rating here; it’s the same as the regular UX hybrid’s, but in truth, we think that cheaper versions of the Lexus UX 300e will probably be worth an extra half-star. This EV is nicely finished, just about practical enough for most buyers’ needs, and particularly refined.”
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Auto Trader
Score: 7.6 / 10
“The UX 300e builds on the wide experience Lexus has in building hybrid models. Rather than an all-new model, Lexus has instead electrified the existing UX SUV, which you can still buy as a petrol-electric hybrid if you prefer. The UX 300e impresses with its build quality and style, but the relatively short range and middling performance put it on a back foot compared with many rivals.”
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Autocar
Score: 7 / 10
“The Lexus UX 300e is an interesting option and has some lovely touches.”
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Model reviewed: UX 300e
Score: 6 / 10
“If you have a family, it’s hard to ignore the fact that there are a plethora of cheaper and significantly more spacious rivals out there, ranging from the Kia e-Niro to the Tesla Model 3. Both of those cars also offer notably longer ranges and have better infotainment systems.”
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Carbuyer
Score: 8.4 / 10
“The Lexus UX 300e is a refined electric SUV with respectable range”
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Carwow
“Combining the traditional Lexus benefits of build-quality and reliability with electric power should make the Lexus UX 300e a popular choice.”
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Company Car Today
“Lexus has positioned itself well with a small SUV that offers reasonable range, a high-quality interior and a decent driving experience.”
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Daily Mail
“Though technically it is a compact urban SUV, the Lexus UX 300e feels roomy and high-riding. It’s sprightly enough and smooth, refined and well-balanced to drive. It whizzes along dual-carriageways and A-roads, and has a bit of poke thanks to its friction-free early electric acceleration.”
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Daily Mirror
Score: 6 / 10
“Everybody inside the UX 300e will appreciate the silence but this Lexus is not strikingly good value and there is a lot of competition with more on the way.”
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Discover EV
Model reviewed: Premium Plus
Score: 7 / 10
“Given similarly priced EVs are quicker, have more range and space, we think the majority of buyers will be die-hard Lexus enthusiasts. Yes, build quality is fantastic, it looks great and it’s comfortable as a small two-plus-two but we’re not sure why you’d opt for the Lexus UX 300e.”
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Driving Electric
Model reviewed:
Score: 7 / 10
“The Lexus UX 300e electric car suits its drivetrain well and is one of the most refined small SUVs around.”
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Fleetworld
Model reviewed: UX 300e Premium Plus
Score: 7 / 10
“The Lexus UX is a good electric car with a strong business case made without re-writing the rule book, unlike its competition.”
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Honest John
“Notably, the Lexus UX 300e is currently the only premium SUV which meets the eligibility criteria for the £3,000 plug-in vehicle grant from OLEV, the Government’s Office for Low Emission Vehicles.”
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Move Electric
Model reviewed:
Score: 6 / 10
“It’s good looking, beautifully built, exceptionally refined and effortlessly comfortable, but the Lexus UX300e is undermined by that poor range and dated rapid charging set-up. If it fits in with your life then it makes a distinctive choice, but there are more talented and capable rivals out there.” (James Disdale)
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The Telegraph
Score: 6 / 10
“The Lexus UX 300e is well priced and nicely specced. It’s not a bad drive, though the traction isn’t the greatest, and Lexus models tend to be reliable and have good residual values. But the range isn’t wonderful and will fall considerably in cold weather, at high speeds or on hills, and there are more interesting models out there.”
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Top Gear
Score: 7 / 10
“The Lexus UX 300e is quiet, efficient enough, makes good use of the advantages of the drivetrain and is a relaxing car to drive.”
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What Car?
Score: 6 / 10
“If you live in a city, we can see why the Lexus UX 300e would be a tempting proposition. However, if you have a family, it’s hard to ignore the fact that there are a plethora of cheaper and significantly more spacious rivals out there, the Kia e-Niro and Tesla Model 3 being among them.”
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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%
The Lexus UX Electric shares its Euro NCAP safety rating with the UX Hybrid range, which was rated five stars in 2019.
A shared rating is not automatic for electric versions of conventional vehicles because the electric motor and battery layout can lead to very different crash test results. In this case, Euro NCAP confirmed in early 2021 that the UX 300e shares the UX Hybrid’s 2019 rating rather than conducting separate crash tests based on newer protocols.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
Model tested: Electric 4×2 Automatic
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: November 2021
Read the full Green NCAP review
Energy Efficiency Index: 9.7 / 10
Greenhouse Gas Index: 10 / 10
The Lexus UX Electric was reviewed by emissions testers Green NCAP in their last batch of 2021 tests, achieving a full five-star rating.
Green NCAP concluded, “A higher driving range would improve the vehicle’s functionality and user experience, but for those wishing to minimize their environmental impact, the Lexus 300e offers an excellent choice.”
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of January 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Lexus UX family 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 Electric, we’ll publish the score here.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
| Battery range | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| EV models | 276 miles | B | 190 – 280 miles | B – B |
| Electrical efficiency | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| EV models | 3.7 m/KWh | D | 3.5 – 3.8 m/KWh | C – D |
| Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| All models | 38 | C | 38 – 38 | C – C |
| Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
| Year 1 | £208 | B |
| Year 2 | £489 | A |
| Year 3 | £799 | A |
| Year 4 | £965 | A |
| Year 5 | £1,257 | A |
| Overall | £3,718 | A |
The Lexus EX Electric will be 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.
Electrical efficiency (the EV equivalent of miles per gallon for a petrol or diesel car) isn’t great, but official battery range is still reasonable. Insurance is likely to be more expensive than for the hybrid Lexus UX, but servicing and maintenance are likely to be significantly cheaper.
Security rating
Independent vehicle theft and security ratings from Thatcham Research
Rating: Superior | Good | Basic | Poor | Unacceptable
Relay Attack: Fail
Date: 2019
Although the Lexus UX Electric hasn’t specifically been tested by Thatcham, the regular 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.
As the UX Electic uses the same key technology as its hybrid sister, it will have the same weakness.
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Lexus UX Electric, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Citroën ë-C4 | DS 3 Crossback E-Tense | Hyundai Kona Electric | Kia e-Niro | Kia Soul EV | Lexus UX Hybrid | Mazda MX-30 | MG ZS EV | Mini Electric | Peugeot e-2008 | Polestar 2 | Vauxhall Mokka-e | Volvo XC40 Recharge
More information
More news, reviews and information about the Lexus UX at The Car Expert
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