2019 Lexus UX 250h F Sport Review by David Colman +VIDEO

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2019 Lexus UX 250h F Sport - Good handling and elegant interior

By David Colman
Special Correspondent to THE AUTO CHANNEL

2019 Lexus UX 250h F Sport Premium

Lexus introduced the UX crossover in 2019 to elevate the market appeal of the Toyota C-HR, upon which the UX is based. The UX replaces the discontinued CT 200h hatchback. While the C-HR retails for $20-27,000, the price range of the UX stretches from $33-36,000. Our test model was the top of the line hybrid 250h, which augmented its $36,000 base price with $5,750 worth of options to make the delivered price $42,785. The priciest option was the $2,200 Navigation System, which installed a 10.3 inch color monitor atop the dash, and also provided an 8 speaker premium audio, plus a tilt/telescope steering wheel.

The UX we drove was nicely done. In particular, its elegant interior proved quiet, comfortable and sybaritic, with exceptionally plush front seats, and a well staged array of instruments and control buttons. We particularly appreciated the typical luxury touches we've come to expect from any Lexus product: the small analog clock styled like a Cartier tank watch, the subtle brushed black aluminum dash surfacing, and the nifty side button activation of the center console storage compartment. From a livability standpoint, the UX rates high grades, with enough luxury flourishes to justify its substantial price increase over the Toyota C-HR. We especially appreciated the optional ($600) power rear door with kick sensor to command operation when your hands are full. And the heated F Sport steering wheel equipped with paddle shifters ($150) looks like it belongs in the cockpit of a race car, with its fat rim covered with lovely perforated black leather.

2019 Lexus UX 250h F Sport Premium

However, the priciest version of the UX also edges into territory occupied by quicker, more performance capable crossovers like Mercedes' GLA and Audi's A3. Holding back the UX is its weight-to-horsepower ratio of 20lbs/hp, a number which makes for leisurely acceleration. At 181hp, the 250h we drove is the most powerful UX variant you can buy. The non-hybrid base model makes just 168hp and 151lb.-ft. of torque. The 250h's 4 cylinder, 2.0 liter M20A-FXS motor gets added boost from a pair of electric motors. An 80kW permanent magnet synchronous traction motor helps power the front wheels while a 5.3kW permanent induction motor augments the rear wheels. The rear electric motor only operates at speeds under 45mph. A nickel-metal hydride battery consisting of 30 elements dispenses 216 Volts of energy to the system. The hybrid is the only model UX available with all-wheel-drive.

Lexus couples the gas and electric motors to a Hybrid CVT transmission which operates through either a console-mounted stick or the paddles adjacent to the steering wheel. Manual selection of engine speed range is available through either source. No matter how much effort you invest in selecting your engine speed, you will find the UX lagging behind the competition in the 0-60mph run, with a time of 8.6 seconds. In other words, you'll be beaten at every stop light grand prix by sedans like the Honda Civic and Mazda 3, as well as price competitive crossovers from Mercedes and Audi. The lack of straight line mojo is rather disconcerting since the UX250h is surprisingly agile on back roads thanks to its F Sport components. Leading the F Sport equipment parade are 18x7J alloy rims equipped with run-flat, all-season tires that put up an unexpectedly good show on curvy roads. The Bridgestone Turanza EL 450 tires (225/50RF18) stick well enough to make you attack corners with more verve that you might expect in such a tall (60 inch) vehicle.

2019 Lexus UX 250h F Sport Premium

While the cockpit of the UX is comforting and well designed, the limited outward sightlines are confounding. In particular, direct rear vision is impeded by a hat trick of headrests that block your view to the back. Further complicating driver vision is the large passenger headrest that obscures sight though the small right side back window. The ultra beefy C-post further complicates matters. Lexus provided our test UX with $565 optional "Rear Cross Traffic Alert with Braking." Given the inherent vision lapses, this option should be standard issue.

The UX250h is rather a mixed bag. If you liked the polarizing looks of the C-HR, you'll love the similar in-your-face brashness of the UX. Good handling and fine attention to detail almost compensate for a lack of sheer speed and a deficit of outward vision.

2019 LEXUS UX250h F SPORT

2019 Lexus UX 250h F Sport Premium

Engine: 2.0 liter inline 4, plus front and rear electric motors
HORSEPOWER: 181hp
TORQUE: N/A
FUEL CONSUMPTION: 41MPG City/38MPG Highway
PRICE AS TESTED: $42,785

HYPES: Excellent Mileage, Lovely cabin

GRIPES: Weak Acceleration, Poor Outward Vision

STAR RATING: 8 Stars out of 10