2022 Lexus UX 200

The 2022 Lexus UX 200 is available in a simple three-tier trim line-up with even the base surprisingly coming pretty well equipped. The hierarchy that is namely Base, F-Sport, and Luxury is thoughtfully spread out in terms of pricing and provides a generous amount of added kit for your spent buck. Although the UX line-up can also be had in an AWD setup if you opt for its hybrid option in the form of the UX 250h, the 200 does away with the option entirely. The standard features with the UX 200 include Lexus safety system+ 2.0, 

Which Trim should you buy?

Yes, the F-Sport and the Luxury trims do provide some great value additions for the premium that you pay for them, but if we are to think from a value perspective, we do believe that the Base model of the UX 200 offers the highest value for your hard-earned buck. It does skimp on some nice to have features that are available in the Luxury trim, but not for a second would you ever miss out on any necessities that would break the overall luxury experience.

Release Date

The 2022 Lexus UX 200 should be released in the fall of 2021, considering the previous model launched by Lexus. The prices are also expected to be almost the same with some minor increase in the pricing, it should still be a value for money option for its segment. 

The 2022 Lexus UX 200 unsurprisingly comes with the same 2.0L 4 cylinder petrol engine under the hood that churns out a tepid 169 hp and 151 lbs. ft. of torque. Although we don’t want to knock the Lexus over its horsepower count, the lower torque output did prove to be a little concerning as the Lexus can feel sluggish off the line at times, we blame the absence of forced induction. The overall lack of any sort of significant oomph from the engine is kind of a bummer and the CVT transmission that this engine comes mated to is a pretty dull affair within itself. 

The CVT is smooth as butter and due to the presence of an actual first gear ratio, the rubber banding effect is pretty well contained. It still is in no way rewarding for the driver. Lexus does try to stir up some adrenaline by piping in faux engine sounds from the speakers when one is hammering it, but the truth is told, we’d rather pull the fuse for it! The UX 200 is not a car that you would like to drive just for fun, it is rather a sophisticated crossover that can get you from point A to point B in luxury.

As is evident with the above figures, the Lexus isn’t the one you’d want to be in if you are concerned with sending others to 'Gapplebees'. You see, even though as a whole, the powertrain on the Lexus is good enough, it pales in terms of outright grunt when viewed alongside the competition. The lack of any sort of forced induction is extremely prevalent and the lack of torque holds the Lexus back from being an exceptional offering.

How well does the 2022 Lexus UX 200 handle?

Although the UX 200 didn’t impress us a lot when it came to outright acceleration and a generous torque curve, it does genuinely wow us with its ability to carve curves. For a vehicle of its proportions and given ground clearance, the Lexus is extremely potent at not falling prey to any sort of horizontal movement when attacking corners. The steering wheels are fairly precise and offer decent feedback from the roads. 

It is quite refreshing to see a Crossover latch on to a line this well without making it seem like that you have a bobblehead instead of a suspension setup. The F-Sport is the best option to get if you prioritize a sporty suspension setup. But the standard car also gets a good suspension setup that keeps the car planted even at higher speeds. The only thing that might be irritating at higher speeds is the noisy engine. The ride quality is also comfortable and soaks in all the road undulations pretty well. 

2022 Lexus UX 200 Braking Performance

Being impressed with its handling capabilities, we had high expectations from its braking setup, and we are glad to report that Lexus did their due diligence with it. The Lexus UX 200 uses 12-inch brake rotors for the front wheels and 11-inch brake rotors at the rear wheels. The brakes are able to stop the UX 200 in 129 feet from 60 to 0 mph. The brake pedal feel is on point while the Lexus manages to retune great feedback through the pedal which is extremely helpful when modulating the brakes around the city.

The brakes on all of the vehicles in question are rather well-engineered but the Mercedes somehow falls significantly behind. Even though the Mercedes is the lightest of the lot, it fairs rather poorly in braking tests. The rest of the pack in all honesty is quite evenly matched out on the road and the on-paper difference doesn’t translate towards any sort of practical application.

With EPA estimates to the tune of 29 mpg in the city and 37 mpg out on the highway, it becomes abundantly clear that Lexus has favored efficiency over performance. The UX as it does sit right at the top of the economy hill, establishing a significant lead from the rest. Although we do believe that we would have accepted poorer efficiency out of the UX 200 if that entailed a significant gain in power, we doubt whether most of the targeted demographic would be willing to make such a choice.

The Lexus manages to pull a significant lead on the rest of the pack when it comes to fuel efficiency but even then, the larger tank on the Merc helps it rank in the top spot when the range is dropped into the question. Although all of the vehicles in this context are rather fuel-efficient, if you are fine with losing out on a bunch of performance for better EPA estimates, then the Lexus might just be the vehicle for you.

The moment you set foot inside the cabin of the 2022 Lexus UX 200, you would most certainly realize where all of the premia that you paid for the UX went since the entire cabin is draped in exquisite materials such as leather, wood, and metal as one would expect. The Japanese Origami touches are definitely noticeable, but the stylistic approach doesn’t come at the cost of quality as the UX would rival even the best of the best that Germany has to offer period. The front seats are very well bolstered, although people that have some junk in the trunk could feel a little cramped.

The rear seats suffer from a lack of legroom which is a common occurrence in the sub-compact crossover market and we would highly suggest that only two adults ride in the back even though the UX can house three instead since space is at a premium. The upholstery deserves a special mention as well since the UX features one of the softest feeling leathers in the segment, capable of even rivaling certain vehicles that are twice the price.

The Mercedes comes off as extremely stringent in its cargo department with the Lexus following suit. The X1 offers the roomiest cargo spaces of the bunch and by a significant margin which does mean that if regular loading is a priority then the BMW is the only option you should go for. Some of the other notable interior features on the Lexus are also as follows:

• Leather steering wheel
• Power-operated and memory seats
• LED illuminated air vents
• Push-button start and keyless go
• Dual-zone climate control
• Powered sunroof/moonroof

What’s there to keep you entertained?

The 10.3-inch infotainment display on the 2022 Lexus UX 200 is a very well-integrated unit, but it does come with a fatal flaw that unfortunately robs away all of the good things we have to say about. For some odd reason, Lexus still refuses to instill a touch screen system throughout its product line-up, and the UX 200 unfortunately is one of the few that misses out on it. The lack of a touch input is sorely missed on the UX as the provided touchpad input mechanism can be quite finicky to operate and proves to be a hassle when on the road. 

Although the graphics and user interface are worthy of some praise, the lack of touch inputs makes the entire experience a frustrating affair. The standard audio system is deemed to be a hit amongst most folk, but if you really need the extra kick, then opting for the optional 8 speaker system could definitely be something that you would want to look into. Some of the more notable infotainment features are mentioned below:

• 10.3-inch infotainment screen
• Split-screen operation
• Joystick and touchPad input 
• Bluetooth streaming
• 8-speaker sound system by Infinity
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

The 2022 Lexus UX 200 carries forward some very noticeable Lexus family attributes that make it look rather sharp. Even with its dainty proportions for the subcompact crossover segment, the UX has an impactful exterior that puts it in the league of its big brothers. The overall design seems extremely modern and the option of opting for some bright exterior paint shades makes the UX an attractive buy for the younger audience.

We are very impressed with how well Lexus has incorporated familiar design elements in such a stout package. The front grille and the overall design in the front are similar to the Lexus lineup and can be easily identified even in the crowd. The headlamps are pretty sleek and look sporty. The side and the rear look modern yet basic and they will not scream for attention on the road. 

The lowest ground clearance on the Lexus does mean that even if you do opt for the 250h with the AWD system, there isn’t a chance of you going anywhere other than maybe a lightly slushy road. The Mercedes, although has a leg up in this department, still doesn’t cut it enough to be anything above a road prowler, which is the reality of the segment in its entirety. Although all the vehicles are quite handsome to look at, their abilities are limited to the tarmac. Some of the other exterior features that make the UX 200 stand out are as follows:

• 18 Inch Alloy Wheels
• LED Headlights
• Lexus Predator Grille
• Bright Paintjob Options
• Roof rails

It isn’t even a question that the 2022 Lexus UX 200 is one of the safest vehicles on road right now as the NHTSA has awarded it a perfect 5 out of 5-star rating while the IIHS has bestowed it with their top honors in the form of the Top Safety Pick+ award. The UX 200 comes loaded with a strong active safety feature set while also harboring a structurally sound construction that makes it resilient to letting go even in cases of an accident. The passive and active safety features are among the best in the segment. Some of its more notable active safety features have been mentioned below:

• Lexus Safety System+ 2.0
• Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist
• All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
• Road sign Assist
• Automated Emergency Braking
• Lane Departure Warning
• Lane Keep Assist

2022 Lexus UX 200 vs 2022 Volvo XC40

When cross-shopping between these two, we wouldn’t definitely steer a potential buyer towards the Lexus as it offers a more premium badge, better interiors, arguably better styling, and an overall roomier footprint. The Volvo XC60 does have that certain quirkiness about it and packs in a better drivetrain under the hood, but we might still lean over towards the Lexus if we are being honest.

2022 Lexus UX 200 vs 2022 Mercedes Benz GLA 250

If practicality and opulence are what you desire in your next car, either of these vehicles is a great bet, but the Mercedes-Benz does offer significantly more space on the inside and definitely more punch under the hood. If we disregard the fuel economy figures, we might just drop our money on the three-pointed star plain and simple.

2022 Lexus UX 200 vs 2022 BMW X1

The X1 has got to be our pick of the bunch since it is the most rewarding vehicle to drive out of the entire pack while also offering a great level of practicality on the inside. Yes, the Lexus does offer better EPA estimates and arguably a more proportioned silhouette, it still pales to come off as appealing in front of the BMW.

The 2022 Lexus UX 200 is every bit a Lexus that we had hoped it to be, but it does come with a significant Achilles heel. The drivetrain has got to be the biggest letdowns on the UX 200 since the otherwise overall package offered by Lexus is pretty compelling. The lack of any sort of forced induction is a glaring oversight which makes it one of the slowest vehicles in its class. Yes, it does offer some great interiors and great handling, but the lack of grunt from the engine just keeps it from achieving perfection.