Compact crossover comes with the brand’s new GA-C platform and two petrol engines to fight the likes of the BMW X1.
Is it a relative of the Toyota C-HR?
Welcome to Lexus’ latest SUV: the all-new UX which is making its world premiere at the Geneva motor show this week.
Designed to sit below the existing NX, the UX is Lexus’ answer to the Audi Q3, BMW X1, Jaguar E-Pace, Mercedes-Benz GLA and Volvo XC40. In fact, Lexus is the last to the party of premium compact SUVs.
The UX is built on Lexus’ new GA-C (global architecture for compact vehicles) platform which is a relative to TNGA (Toyota new global architecture) used in Toyota’s latest offerings.
As well, the UX shares the same 2,640mm wheelbase length of the Toyota C-HR. However, the UX has a far posher cabin with its own bespoke design. The instrument panel, as seen here in F Sport trim, is of the digital type.
Does it get the C-HR’s engines?
If you’re talking about the C-HR’s engines in Thailand, then the answer is no. Rather than those 1.8-litre motors, the UX comes with bigger 2.0-litre petrol variations.
The first one is a naturally aspirated unit with 168hp for the so-called UX200, while the other one is a hybridised version with a combined 176hp in the UX250h.
In the traditional Lexus (and Toyota) fashion, the UX250h comes with nickel metal-hydride batteries located beneath the rear seats for optimum weight balance.
There’s also a four-wheel-drive version of the UX250h called E-Four in which an additional electric motor propels the rear wheels. The UX200 is a pure front-driver.
Will it replace that frumpy-looking CT hatchback?
Lexus isn’t saying anything about this. But as the CT is aging terribly in its current generation (two facelifts already took place in the course of seven years), the UX should naturally form as an indirect replacement for it.
Thais sales of the UX should take place at the end of the year at the earliest or early 2019 at the latest with prices ranging anywhere between two to three million baht.
