Source: AutomotorPro.com – Lexus UX 200 F Sport City Compact SUV
Written by Marco Carvajal
The new Lexus UX 200 is a modern and dynamic city SUV. The UX is a compact crossover SUV designed for city life.
Priced at $34,000 the Luxurious Lexus UX 200 F Sport is a bargain.
The Lexus UX was presented to the world at the 2018 Geneva auto show. The UX is the smallest crossover model in the Lexus family, located under the compact NX.
The name UX means “Urban Explorer.” The UX is a global model sold in 80 countries around the world. For North America, UX production began with the 2019 model year.
The Lexus UX has a bold and elegant design, which combines it with an expressive body in a practical compact size.
Lexus UX includes a strong body rigidity and a low center of gravity for best handling. The UX has a dramatic style, which begins with the spindle grille design of the brand on the front that is combined with a hood that makes it look larger.
The new Lexus UX seems to be created to compete with the Mercedes-Benz GLA and BMW X1 in the luxury compact crossover segment. With 177 inches from head to toe, the Lexus UX is small for a crossover, but it is a few inches longer than the BMW X1 and the MB GLA.
The UX exterior design and aerodynamics makes it very attractive and efficient for city life. The signature grille, though sharing its basic form with other Lexus models, has been specially re-designed for the UX. The grille features a block-shaped mesh pattern with individual elements gradually changing in shape around the central Lexus emblem. The grille looks three-dimensional changing its look depending on the viewing angle.
The UX is available as the UX 200 with a regular gasoline engine and as the UX 250 H with a hybrid engine.
Engine
The front-wheel-drive UX 200 is powered by a high-efficiency 2.0‑liter, four-cylinder engine coupled with a 10-speed Direct Shift Continuously Variable Transmission (DCVT). Then the hybrid all-wheel-drive UX 250h includes an even higher-efficiency version of the 2.0‑liter gas engine combined with a fourth-generation hybrid drive system, engineered specifically for the UX.
The UX is the entry-level into Lexus’ compact crossover segment. The 2020 UX is the first Lexus constructed on the Global Architecture Compact (GA-C) platform. A lightweight yet super-rigid structure with an extremely low center of gravity and refined suspension tuning endow the UX with exemplary handling agility and ride comfort.
Lexus designed the UX cabin to evoke the feel of a luxury sedan, but with the higher seating position and versatility typical of a crossover. The materials and workmanship are of the traditional quality of Lexus, combining Japanese traditions in craftsmanship and hospitality with innovative production techniques.
For easy cargo loading, an old-down grocery bag hooks remain flush with the side panel surface when not in use. Standard solid aluminum roof rails help to carry additional large items. The available optional hands-free foot-activated power rear gate makes loading the UX more convenient.
UX Trim Levels and Pricing
For 2020 the Lexus UX is available on 6 trim models, the first 3 models UX 200 use a regular gasoline engine and the other 3 models, UX 250H are hybrid models. Pricing varies from around $32,000 MSRP for the base UX 200 model and goes up to approximately $39,000 for the hybrid UX 250h Luxury.
- UX 200
- UX 200 F Sport
- UX 200 Luxury
- UX 250h
- UX 250h F Sport
- UX 250h Luxury
The UX 200 F sport is my favorite model and is the one I am test driving as it includes all the practicality of this city-ready SUV, but with better performance and style with the F Sport trim features. Pricing for the UX 200 F Sport starts around $34,000 MSRP.
UX F Sport Performance
The optional F Sport package adds a unique body kit with revised front and rear bumpers and 18-inch wheels instead of the standard 17-inch design.
The exclusive F SPORT suspension includes springs and stabilizer bars for a tighter ride. The 18-inch, five twin-spoke aluminum alloy wheels unique to the UX F SPORT are even more rigid than standard UX wheels, producing higher responsiveness and better performance.
Fast paddle shifters to an exclusive sport-tuned suspension, the UX F SPORT delivers performance as aggressive as its design. Meanwhile, exclusive bolstered sport seats cradle you in high-G turns.
The F SPORT trim includes an exclusive grille design featuring a mesh-pattern created by individual L-shaped pieces. The exclusive F SPORT front bumper features LED fog lamps with L-shaped chrome moldings, cornering lamps and the same mesh pattern as the grille.
A revised rear bumper and jet-black trim on the front and rear moldings complete the F SPORT look.
F SPORT-exclusive interior includes front sports seats made with a highly supportive integrated-foaming technique first developed for Lexus F models. The digitally-rendered instrument meter features a movable ring inspired by the Lexus LFA supercar. A perforated leather-trimmed F SPORT steering wheel with paddle shifters, leather-trimmed perforated shift knob, 8-inch TFT color display, aluminum pedals, aluminum door scuff plates, and footrest are also part of the package.
The UX F SPORT driving experience can be further enhanced with Active Sound Control (ASC), which generates the aural effect of up- and down-shifts like those of a geared automatic transmission.
UX F Sport Highlights
- Front-wheel drive
- In-Line 4ENGINE 2.0 L Displacement
- 169 Horsepower
- Valvetrain 16-valve DOHC, (VVT-iE) intake, (VVT-i) exhaust
- TORQUE 151 lb-ft @ 4,800 RPM
- 10-speed Direct-Shift Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
- 37 MPG combined city/highway estimate
- 118 MPH TOP TRACK SPEED
- Four-wheel power-assisted discs, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist
- F sport 18-in split-five-spoke alloy wheels with run-flat tires
- Led foglamps and cornering lamps
- f sport bolstered front seats
- Paddle shifters
- F sport–tuned suspension
- Active sound control
- Perforated leather-trimmed f sport steering wheel and shift knob
- Performance-inspired digital gauges
- Lexus multimedia system with 7.0-in color display
- Lexus six-speaker premium sound system
- Lexus Enform remote with google assistant and Amazon Alexa compatibility. included for up to the first three years of ownership
- Lexus Enform wi-fi with 4gb included as a three-month trial
- Amazon Alexa compatibility
- Android Auto and Apple Carplay integration
- Bluetooth and USB smartphone connectivity
- Four USB ports
Source: AutomotorPro.com – Lexus UX 200 F Sport City Compact SUV
