2019 Lexus UX 200

The UX 200 comes in three trim levels – Base, F Sport and Luxury. All cars are mechanically the same except that each higher trim adds some more features in the car. The F Sport also gets some visual updates with a sportier look. There’s also a hybrid version of the UX available which is more powerful and even comes with AWD.

Trim	Base	Luxury	F-Sport
MSRP	$32,000	$37,200	$34,000
Key Features	18-inch wheels	Sound-damping front side windows	Unique 18-inch wheels
	LED headlights	Auto-dimming side mirrors	Sport-tuned suspension
	Heated side mirrors	Hands-free liftgate	LED foglights
	Proximity entry and push-button start	Driver-seat memory functions	Augmented engine sound generator
	Selectable drive modes	Blind-spot monitoring	Steering wheel paddle shifters
	Dual-zone automatic climate control	10.3-inch central display	Sport front seats
	Simulated-leather upholstery	Eight-speaker sound system	Upgraded digital gauge cluster
	Power-adjustable front seats
	60/40-split folding rear seat
	Rearview camera
	Infotainment system with 7-inch touchscreen display
	Smartphone app-based navigation
	Apple CarPlay smartphone integration
	Six-speaker audio system and satellite radio

We’d Recommend

The UX is a lot about its features and its luxury quotient. For that matter, picking the top of the line Luxury trim is a very good choice. You could also pick the F Sport trim if sporty looks are your priority. However, the best pick in the UX range is the UX 250h which is the hybrid version of the UX. It comes with more power and torque from the electric motors and also has the benefit of AWD.

Model	Lexus UX 200	Volvo XC40	Land Rover Range Rover Evoque	Jaguar E-Pace
MPG (city)	29	23	22	21
MPG (highway)	37	31	29	28
MPG (combined)	33	26	25	24

Where the Lexus really beats the competition is with its fuel economy. The engine was optimized to return great fuel economy figures and it really does. It returns 33 miles to the gallon combined which is a very good figure in the segment. The Volvo XC40 follows next but returns only 26 miles to the gallon combined.

“The front of the UX’s cabin is where Lexus plays one of its trump cards. Smart, (mainly) logical and less cluttered than its bigger brother NX, the space feels generous and welcoming. Material quality is excellent and original in places too, notably in the optional dashboard covering that resembles textured Japanese washi paper.” – Top Gear

Design

The interiors are busy but still quite aesthetic. What catches your eyes first are the 10.3-inch infotainment screen set deep inside the dashboard. The AC vents that sit below are sleek and stylish. The piano style switches for the climate controls feel really good to use as well. The layout is typically Lexus and it really looks good. There’s also a unique dashboard trim in blue fabric like material which is also really cool.

What catches your eye next is the 7-inch or an 8-inch (on the higher trims) screen in the instrument cluster. There is a physical gauge cluster within the digital screen and it houses the speedometer which is a really cool touch. Fit and finish of the materials are really nice and there are soft touch panels at most places you would touch. The analog clock beside the infotainment screen is another very good touch.

Seating

Model	Lexus UX 200	Volvo XC40	Land Rover Range Rover Evoque	Jaguar E-Pace
Passenger capacity	5	5	5	5
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	35.7/55.1/42.1	39.0/56.7/40.9	39.0/NA/40.2	39.2/NA/40.0
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	36.4/52.9/33.1	39.1/56.3/36.1	38.0/NA/34.8	38.2/NA/35.1

The Lexus does not have the most spacious interiors as its rivals are a bit roomier. Having said that, there still is plenty space inside with good legroom and headroom. The seats are quite comfortable and can be heated or cooled. There are AC vents for the rear passengers as well. The cabin is very well built and long hours would be very happily spent in this car.

Infotainment System

Infotainment system is not something Lexus seems to be getting right. While the system itself is good and packs in all the features you’d need, the way to control the system is just not good enough. The track pad that Lexus uses to operate the infotainment system requires you to take your eyes off the road and quite some time getting used to. There are much better ways to operate an infotainment system and Lexus should definitely consider that.

Apart from the inconveniences of the track pad, the system itself is quite good. The graphics are nice, the system is intuitive and feature loaded and certainly an improvement over what Lexus has been doing before. Also, the music controls are via some buttons and dials placed under the central armrest and is quite convenient to use.

Interior Features

• Privacy Glass or Deep Tinted Glass
• Leather Steering Wheel
• Power Windows
• Tilt and Telescope Steering
• Power Adjustable Exterior Mirror
• 10.3 inch infotainment screen
• 7 inch digital instrument cluster
• Heated and Cooled seats
• Automatic climate control

Cargo Capacity

Model	Lexus UX 200	Volvo XC40	Land Rover Range Rover Evoque	Jaguar E-Pace
Cargo Volume (ft.3)	21.7	20.7	20.3	24.2

The Lexus has pretty good cargo capacity for the class. It’s not the best in class as that is taken away by the Jaguar E-pace but it comes second with 21.7 cu.ft of space. The Jaguar has 24.2 cu.ft of space. The boot is big enough to pack in at least four large bags and maybe some more.

“On the UX, the current styling theme’s playful and adventurous in a way its European competition is not, and that’s a positive development for a brand that has followed more than it’s led in styling.” – The Car Connection

Design

The UX 200 is a very handsome looking car. It has very good proportions and looks distinctly Lexus. The front is dominate by the large spindle grille. It looks aggressive and bold with a chrome garnish at the lower lip of the bumper. The headlamps are extremely stylish and the detailing with the DRLs looks stunning. The fog lamp housings run vertically down from the headlights, all the way to the bottom to give it a really sharp and mean look.

Move over to the sides and you are met with a multitude of lines and creases that beautifully bring out the muscular haunches of the cart. The squared wheel arches with black claddings all around add some ruggedness to the design. The dual tone wing mirrors also are very stylishly designed.

The rear is probably the most pleasing angle of the UX 200. There’s nothing very fancy going on, just a light band connecting the brake lights on either side to make one seamless tail light. Some more lines and creases, a Lexus logo and black and silver claddings on the bumper finish off the rear design. The design is very distinctive and would easily catch eyes.

Exterior Dimensions

Model	Lexus UX 200	Volvo XC40	Land Rover Range Rover Evoque	Jaguar E-Pace
Curb weight (lbs.)	3307	3629	3865	4035
Length(in)	177	174.2	172.0	173.0
Width(in)	72.4	73.3	78.1	78.1
Height(in)	60.6	65.3	64.4	64.9
Ground clearance (in)	N/A	8.3	8.3	8.8
Wheelbase (in)	103.9	106.4	104.7	105.6
Track width (in) F/R	61/61	63/64	63.8/64.1	64/65.1

If we talk about dimensions, the UX 200 is not the biggest. It has the maximum length but the least width, least height and the least wheelbase too. The compact dimensions also makes it the lightest. The dimensions and weight greatly contribute to the nimble nature of the car. Also, its wheelbase is not much smaller than the competition which means interior space is not much compromised.

Exterior Features

• Spindle grille with mesh pattern
• LED DRLs and headlamps
• Dual Tone wing mirrors
• Body Cladding
• Light Band for the tail lights
• 18-inch wheels
• Rear Spoiler

The Lexus UX 200 has not been rated by NHTSA or IIHS as of yet as it’s a brand new car but it comes loaded with pretty good safety features as you would expect from a Lexus.

• Pre-Collision System (PCS) with Pedestrian Detection
• All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
• Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist
• Lane Tracing Assist
• Road Sign Assist (RSA)
• Intelligent High-Beam headlamps
• Anti-lock brakes
• Stability control
• Multiple Airbags

Lexus UX 200 vs Volvo XC40

The Lexus UX200 may be quite underpowered in comparison to the XC40 but it does pretty well what it does. It has good body control and a good ride quality as well. It looks very stylish and quite apart. The interiors are good but the infotainment system could have been better. It has way better fuel economy than any of its competitors. The XC40 does all the good things that the Lexus does but with way more power and performance. Also, the interiors in the Volvo are way nicer too. What really works for the Volvo is that it’s just around $2000 more expensive than the Lexus and for that, it’s clearly the better choice amongst the two.

Lexus UX 200 vs Land Rover Range Rover Evoque

The Range Rover Evoque just received a fresh update this year and it looks smarter and sleeker than before. The Evoque has best in class interiors and technology with this new update. It’s also the fastest to 60 mph and is expected to ride and drive much better than before. Being a range rover, the Evoque has proper offroad capabilities and there’s no beating the Evoque at that. The Rangie is far better than the UX200 is every respect but it’s quite more expensive as well. If money is not a concern, the Evoque is easily the better car but if you want a competitive car in this segment at a very reasonable price, the UX200 fits the bill quite well.

Lexus UX 200 vs Jaguar E-pace

Not quite as powerful as the Jaguar E-Pace but it does pretty well for what it’s meant to do. It has a good balance between ride quality and body control. It certainly has the visual appeal which is quite distinctive and though not very special with the interiors, it good enough to challenge the Jaguar with its materials and technology. It has way better fuel economy than any of its competitors. On the other hand, the Jaguar is quite more powerful and much faster. If horsepower is not your concern, then the UX200 is the most sensible buy at a reasonable price but the E-Pace seems worth it for the extra power and performance it comes with.

The Lexus UX200 is a pretty nice car. Yes, it’s not quite as powerful as some of its competitors but once you look beyond that, it’s a great car for what it has been designed to be. You do feel underpowered sometimes when you have to do quick overtake maneuvers on the highways but on the contrary, it gives fuel economy which is unheard of in this segment.

The engine is refined, it has good ride quality and good body control. It looks very stylish and very different from the numerous other Jaguars, Range Rovers and Volvos in this segment. The interiors feel rich and it comes decently well-equipped but it could have done better still. Lastly, when you consider the price at which you get the UX200, it seems great value for its money and it opens the segment of compact luxury to a whole new audience.