If you think Lexus is a brand that caters only to middle-aged men, loaded car enthusiasts, and company CEOs, then you must not have heard of the UX yet. Lexus considers the UX subcompact crossover as its gateway model, meaning it is the most affordable crossover in the lot. It still showcases the brand’s design and technologies despite being in the lower tier of the lineup. 

But there’s nothing much lower-tier about the Lexus UX as it now sports a Hybrid Electric powertrain under the hood for 2023. The two Lexus UX hybrid variants to be made available in the Philippines align with the model's young, active, upwardly mobile, and environmentally conscious clientele.

Under the hood

The Lexus self-charging hybrid powertrain, with a total of 184 ps and 188 Nm output, powers the 2023 UX 250h F SPORT and the UX 250h Premier. The package features a high compression ratio (14:1)  2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with 145 ps. Lexus claims the internal combustion engine can achieve a class-leading 41% thermal efficiency because of its laser-clad intake valve seats, all-new intake port profile, and D4-S fuel injection with direct and secondary port injectors. It has a continuously variable-capacity oil pump and a variable cooling system driven by an electric water pump. 

A hybrid transaxle with two electric motor/generators runs alongside the ICE. The luxury Japanese brand claims it has made the motor package smaller and lighter and has even reduced frictional losses by 25%.

The 2023 UX’s new 4th generation nickel-metal hydride (NiMH)  hybrid battery now comes with an 8-year warranty, while the rest of the car has the standard 3-year or 100,000-kilometer drivetrain warranty. And to regenerate its stores, a Direct-Shift CVT automatic works with steering wheel shift paddles to control the engine braking force through six levels.

A premium on comfort and safety

Lexus Safety Sense (LSS) comes standard in both new UX variants. The LSS package includes: Active safety technologies such as Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Pre-Collision System (PCS) with pedestrian detection, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Alert and Steering Assist, Lane Trace Assist, and Intelligent High-Beam headlamps or Adaptive High-beam System (AHS).

And if that wasn’t enough, the UX 250h SPORT runs with an adaptive variable suspension, an 8-inch multi-information display, and interior and exterior trim pieces Lexus says are exclusive to this variant, like its red seats. 

LED headlamps, taillamps and DRLs, voice recognition, power rear hatch with kick sensor, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 10-speaker audio system are standard in both variants. They also have Hill-Start Assist, Vehicle Stability Control, and Blind Spot Monitor. 

The 2023 Lexus UX joins other models in the brand’s lineup equipped with hybrid technology, such as the Lexus LS flagship, IS sport sedan, RX SUV, NX crossover, and the ES sedan. 

Do you think Lexus is a cooler brand now with its hybrid-equipped lineup?