New Lexus UX SUV 2019: specs, prices and on-sale date

Pricing and specification has been announced for the Lexus UX SUV, which will start at £29,990 when it goes on sale in March 2019.

The Lexus UX is the smallest SUV yet from the Japanese marque, and will take on premium rivals such as the Audi Q2, BMW X2, Jaguar E-Pace and Volvo XC40. Striking looks should help it stand out, as will Lexus’ omission of a diesel, with all the focus instead on hybrid petrol technology.

The new SUV is the latest model to wear Lexus' sharp-edged corporate identity and huge ‘spindle' grille. The latter includes a new type of mesh with individual blocks that change in shape as they radiate outwards from the Lexus badge, giving a three-dimensional effect. The UX’s sides are characterised by its large wheelarches with squared-off black cladding and sharp creases above the wheels.

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At the back, there's a continuous strip of light formed by 120 LEDs that’s just 3mm thick at its narrowest point. This expands to form the rear light clusters, and is set to become a signature feature for Lexus.

Interior design

The interior shows off a driver-centric dashboard design, along with slim A-pillars designed to improve visibility from behind the wheel. Technology will also get a boost with digital instruments and a widescreen infotainment display.

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The F Sport version is fitted with firmer suspension to suit keen drivers, along with upgrades to sports seats, an LFA supercar-style instrument display with concentric rings and a special steering wheel and pedals. A feature called Active Sound Control (ASC) will also be able to simulate the sound made by conventional gearboxes, while Sonic Interaction Design (SID) makes the UX sound more exciting in its Sport S+ mode.

Sitting on new underpinnings, the UX 250h is powered by a 2.0-litre petrol engine that’s connected to a hybrid setup and delivers up to 176bhp. A CVT automatic gearbox is fitted as standard, but customers will be able to choose between front or ‘E-Four’ four-wheel drive. The latter works by putting an extra electric motor at the rear axle, powering the back wheels if a loss of grip is detected at speeds below 44mph.

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Lexus UX prices and on-sale date

Lexus has confirmed that the UX will hit UK showrooms in March 2019, with the entry-level model starting at £29,900. The more aggressive-looking F-Sport will be priced at £33,900 and the range-topping Takumi trim level will cost £39,100.