Lexus UX300e long term review

Out with the new and in with the old

I had been running Lexus’ flagship electric car, the RZ, for a few months and came away with mixed feelings. There was a lot to love, but the efficiency was woeful. So a man from Lexus came and took it away, replacing it with a UX300e. 

On the face of it this seems like a demotion. The RZ had a list price of £65,595, where as the UX in this top trim is £49,995. It also loses a motor and is just front wheel drive, so is slower. And smaller. With fewer gadgets.

But there is something about the UX that is just so comfortable that makes me really love it. I don’t mean comfortable as in the seats – although they are lovely too. It just does everything you want with the minimum of fuss. It’s like taking off a pair of stylish designer shoes and sliding your weary toes into fluffy slippers.

My love for this car means I get teased by the other members of the Electrifying team, who think it is outdated and bland. But sometimes you just like a bit of ‘normal’ in your life. And the UX is a car you can just get in and drive and know everything will work and be easy to use. There are proper buttons, the CarPlay and wireless charger work, it’s easy to change the temperature – that sort of thing.

It also rides beautifully. While the 22-inch wheels fitted to rivals might look bling and give a fraction of a second more on a track day lap, the 18-inchers on the Lexus mean you don’t feel every road knobble and pothole. 

I’m also really enjoying the extra range. Whereas the RZ typically got around 165 miles from a fully charged battery, the UX is getting around 245, despite the fact the power pack is exactly the same size, the driver is the same and it’s doing pretty much the same journeys. The weather can’t really be described as much warmer either, thanks to the British climate. 

Thankfully this saves me from charging while away from home too often, because this has its challenges – as I will cover in more detail in the next instalment….

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