Lexus UX300e 2023 Review | Goodwood Test

Lexus might have started the hybrid-SUV revolution, but it’s not at the forefront of pure-electric lifted machines. The UX was the very first of its cars to be fully converted to EV spec when it was launched back in 2020 and until recently remained the only BEV that the company sold.

Rather than creating a bespoke chassis, the UX300e uses the existing UX as a base replacing the petrol/hybrid powertrain with something a little less emissions-ey. Now, after the original UX became the fastest seller in the company’s range, there’s been an upgrade to the electric version. Can it make a step up?

The new Lexus RX’s radical overhaul has left the rest of the range looking a little old fashioned. The UX might suffer from this the most. Where the blade-like rear lights, popping up from the bodywork, were pretty futuristic when they were first revealed, today they’re nothing out of the ordinary. 

Its face, which fits so well on the LC and RC coupes, feels large on the UX. But it’s rescued somewhat by some fetching, angular headlights which have been, in a nicely created feature, designed to dig perfectly into that big old grille.

It’s definitely trying to look angular and futuristic, but the overall shape hasn’t managed to hide its slightly blobby nature. The angles slashed into the side help to draw the eye from the gap between the wheels and arches but the UX can't match the allure of an Alfa Romeo Tonale.

The Lexus UX300e has a 72.8kWh battery sending power to a motor on the front axle. That gives 204PS (150kW) and 300Nm (221lb ft), allowing the UX300e to jump from 0-62mph in 7.2 seconds. 

In action, the UX300e will get a range of around 170-180 miles. We drove it for a couple of long-distance treks and that seemed to be the average. The electric motors respond quickly and sharply when you require, but the slightly wonky range readout drops rapidly with every press.

Damping feels good most of the time, and the electric UX feels like it manages its ride better than its hybrid counterpart, which isn’t saying a huge amount. Send it over a series of bumps and the little Lexus isn’t happy. On smooth tarmac it is relatively unfussed and the nose responds acceptably to inputs.

The steering, though, isn’t great. It’s weighted more toward the heavy end, which is pleasant enough, but the action feels more like stretching rubber than moving something mechanical. Its vagaries are particularly evident on a country road, where you will often find yourself slowing more than necessary so you can trust what’s going on under the front tyres. 

What it also lacks is the regenerative braking that allows for one-pedal driving like many of its rivals. There’s also a slightly tricky balance to tread in working out where to set that regen’ if you actually feel the need to use it.

The infotainment has taken a huge leap forward. The original hybrid UX had a tiny little screen - seven whole inches, with some extremely slow-to-react software and an awful touch-based input system. Even Lexus insiders admitted wasn’t good enough.

Now there has been an overhaul. The screen isn’t a tiny afterthought, it’s now a wide 12.3-inch unit and sits properly proud of the dash. That means the terrible touchpad has gone from the centre console, which is now much cleaner (although Lexus’s insistence on a small gearstick with a very specific movement can frustrate from time to time).

The rest of the design is dark and sensible. It’s not the most blindly spectacular piece of interior decoration, but the material quality feels at an acceptable level and the addition of double-glazed windows keeps the cabin impressively quiet. 

The star is that new infotainment interface. It’s not just better looking, its touchscreen has a more minimal design to the interface. The inbuilt sat nav system isn’t horrible to look at any more and the vehicle information UX is acceptable.

The Lexus UX300e starts at around £47,000, but our car in Takumi spec would set you back  £57,095 – a steep price point for a crossover. Thankfully, it has been loaded with tech. Expect heated and cooled seats, heated steering wheel, automatic lights and wipers, wireless phone charging, blindspot monitoring, electric boot and more as standard.

Charging comes through either CHAdeMO or DC connections – no CCS here – and there is a claimed range from the now-larger batteries (the old car only had around 55kWh), up to 279 miles. While we didn’t see that on a long journey, it will nudge much closer in town.

The original UX300e didn’t feel like a car for the modern time, more an attempt at electrifying a current car. That was in part because the UX is slightly flawed to begin with, the ride has never truly been sorted in any spec, and fitting batteries didn’t improve that.

The upgrades have made a difference. The drive isn’t a lot different, so don’t expect to suddenly grab a UX300e and head off for a blast. But the interior and changes to the infotainment system make it feel like a car you would be far more happy to live with. The top spec Takumi does seem very steep at its £57k, so most will probably look in the middle of the range. The addition of a significant amount of range – up from 196 to 279 miles on WLTP – is not just an extra bonus, but one that makes the UX a car for more than just city sprints.