2025 Lexus UX F SPORT Hybrid Is Engineered for Exhilarating Performance

The Lexus UX, a subcompact luxury crossover SUV, was first introduced at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show. At the time, it was the smallest crossover model in the Lexus stable of vehicles. The UX name derives from the term Urban Explorer, and is the first Lexus model based on the GA-C platform, shared with many Toyota vehicles like the GR Corolla. The fifth-gen hybrid, which replaces the previous UX 250h model, is only offered with a hybrid powertrain in the U.S. market. It is available in eight different models, including F SPORT Design and F SPORT Handling to provide buyers with a plethora of options to fit their driving style and need.

My press loan for the week was the UX 300h F SPORT Handling with the shiny new Copper Crest exterior paint that will be available on all UX models. This new Lexus excels in both performance and handling, striking a harmonious balance between agile responsiveness and unruffled ride comfort. Its foundation is the high-strength global architectural GA-C platform. This platform is crafted with high-tensile steel, high-strength adhesives, and precise laser screw welding. This type of engineering ensures a highly rigid structure, pivotal for achieving the desired blend of sporty handling dynamics and luxurious ride quality.

To create a lighter vehicle with a lower center of gravity, at just 23.4 inches, the UX uses aluminum for the side doors, fenders, and hood, alongside composite materials for the tailgate. This type of metal structuring enhances overall stability and maneuverability on various road conditions giving drivers a confident and agile driving experience similar to that of lowered sport cars. To add to the sports car feel when encountering high-speed corners on highways and interstates, Lexus added their Active Cornering Assist (ACA) technology to the UX Hybrid. I have to assume this is the first time this has been applied to a CUV. When the ACA is integrated with Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), the UX will track the driver's desired line through a corner by applying appropriate brake control to the inside wheels.

By applying the proper amount of brake to the inside wheels, it suppresses the tendency for the driver to create understeer thus allowing drivers to handle high-speed corners with greater precision while maintaining stability just like in a sports car. And because I had the F SPORT Handling model, it had the additional Active Variable Suspension (AVS) for sharpened handling, and stability and to improve overall ride comfort. Not that I would take this vehicle on an SCCA race circuit, it did a great job on a few of the back road corners I will run vehicles through.

F SPORT Aerodynamic Profile

The exterior of the Lexus UX 300h F SPORT embodies a blend of Lexus sophistication and airflow efficiency reminiscent of a sports car. The look is highlighted by headlamps with LED daytime running lights arranged in an arrowhead motif above the main headlights, echoing the iconic Lexus L-shaped lighting signature. The front fascia is adorned with the traditional Lexus block-shaped mesh pattern grille, complemented by signature upper and lower grille inserts. Aesthetic touches include dark roof rails and a black roof, adding a dynamic contrast to the vehicle's overall sleek profile. The F SPORT Handling models boast distinctive features such as 18-inch run-flat tires paired with split-five-spoke alloy wheels, enhancing both performance and visual appeal. The exterior airflow design seamlessly integrates aerodynamic efficiency without destroying the elegant Lexus look. It starts with the lines of the spindle grille as the line makes its way toward the cabin and integrates the flared front and rear fenders that evoke a strong presence. The painted wheel arch moldings not only look great but protect the body from road debris while channeling airflow smoothly over their edges, minimizing turbulence and lift for improved driver stability. Completing the aerodynamic package is a wing-type spoiler at the rear roof edge and a flat underbody that contributes to vehicle quietness, enhanced fuel efficiency, and overall aerodynamic performance giving drivers a great driving experience.

F SPORT Redefined Interior

The F SPORT interior embodies a blend of exclusive design and functional elegance. Inspired by traditional Japanese craftsmanship, the dash trim finish mimics the calming grain of washi paper, creating a warm ambiance throughout the cabin. Once settled in, the seating gives the feel of a luxurious sedan with the versatility of a crossover's higher seating position and also the slimmer A-pillar molding that enhances visibility. Highlighting the luxury aspect there is the hairline finishing on the door panels and center console, which add a sleek touch to the aesthetic. NuLuxe®-trimmed bolstered sports seats offer luxurious comfort, with 8-way power-adjustability for the front seats and adjustable lumbar support for the driver. To further the luxury feel, there is a 'power' steering column instead of a manual handle, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, a leather-wrapped shift knob, and aluminum footrests and scuff plates with sports pedals. A larger 12.3-inch instrument cluster and standard Lexus Interface 12.3-inch touchscreen display ensure intuitive operation for both driver and passenger, while a sliding moonroof enhances the spacious and airy feel of the cabin.

New UX Power Plant

The 2025 Lexus UX 300h is the first Lexus vehicle to feature the fifth-generation Lexus Hybrid System. This advanced powertrain combines an inline four-cylinder 2.0-liter gas engine with two electric motor-generators, powered by a new lightweight lithium-ion battery, and paired with a planetary-type continuously variable transmission (CVT). This new setup delivers a combined 196 horsepower and offers impressive fuel efficiency, with FWD models achieving a combined MPG rating of 41 mpg and AWD a tic less. The new lithium-ion batteries replace the previous nickel-metal hydride system, enhancing the EV system's efficiency and providing more passenger comfort and storage capacity. Additionally, the adoption of a new hybrid transaxle allows for higher output from the front (83 kW) and rear (30 kW) motors. The CVT technology has also been upgraded as well, replacing mechanical connections with a shift system that converts shift operations into electrical signals for quicker and smoother shifting. This results in a respectable 0-60 acceleration time of 7.9 seconds for AWD models and 8.0 seconds for FWD models.

Lexus Safety System+ 3.0

Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 is a comprehensive suite of active safety equipment and convenience features. Lexus Safety System+ 3.0* represents another step towards Lexus's ultimate vision of an accident-free world. Standard on all new Lexus vehicles, Lexus Safety System+* is an integrated suite of advanced safety technologies designed to help in certain circumstances, from alerting you of a pedestrian* to helping you maintain a preset speed and following distance from the vehicle ahead. Learn more about the safety features of the LSS+ 3.0 system.

Specifications

Power Plant: 196 combined horsepower inline 4-cylinder 2.0-liter gas engine W/2 two electric motor-generators, powered by a lithium-ion battery
Torque: 262 pound-feet
Transmission: Planetary-type Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
Wheels: 18" run-flat tires paired with split-five-spoke alloy wheels
Touchscreen: 12.5"
Color: Copper Crest
Fuel: 45/41/43 (mpg city/highway/combined)
MSRP (shown): $47,050

Learn More

For more information or to test drive this vehicle for yourself, stop by a local dealer or visit online at:
Lexus | UX Hybrid

About Lexus

Lexus launched in 1989 with a flagship sedan and a guest experience that helped define the premium automotive industry. In 1998, Lexus introduced the luxury crossover category with the launch of the Lexus RX. The luxury hybrid sales leader, Lexus delivered the world's first luxury hybrid and has since sold over 1.5 million hybrid vehicles. A global luxury automotive brand with an unwavering commitment to bold, uncompromising design, exceptional craftsmanship, and exhilarating performance, Lexus has developed its lineup to meet the needs of the next generation of global luxury guests and is currently available in over 90 countries worldwide. Lexus associates/team members across the world are dedicated to crafting amazing experiences that are uniquely Lexus, and that excite and change the world.