Motoring: 2025 Lexus UX300 gas-electric hybrid is fuel-efficient, well-equipped and affordable

Introduced in 2020, the Lexus UX300 hybrid arrives with a new hybrid powertrain and more power. For 2025 it's fuel-efficient, affordable and well-equipped. Its small profile makes it a nimble handler around town and easily negotiates tight parking spaces. Let's delve into the particulars.

The Lexus UX300 hybrid, the smallest crossover in the lineup, comes in Base, Premium, F Sport Design, and F Sport Handling. Front-wheel drive is standard, with All-Wheel Drive a $1,570 option. All four models are powered by a new hybrid powertrain based on a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gas engine. Additionally, Front Wheel Drive models feature a single electric motor, while AWD UX300h adds a smaller motor on the rear axle. Combined horsepower is a respectable 196 horsepower, up from last year's 181 horsepower.

Power flows through a newly upgraded eConstant Velocity Transmission, upgraded to shift-by-wire technology. eCVT's claim to fame is instant response when toggling the console shift lever or flapping the steering wheel paddles. The 2.0-liter gas engine frequently coasts thanks to the front (111 horsepower) and rear (40 horsepower) electric motors. In other words, free miles per gallon.

Acceleration is smooth, with AWD 300h accelerating from zero to 60 mph in about eight seconds and FWD, a little quicker, in 7.9 seconds. Both AWD and FWD elapsed times are about two seconds faster than last year's less powerful model, fast enough to make for happier passing and more relaxed merging onto I-380.

On the negative side of the balance sheet, the 15 horsepower bump in power comes at the price of a slightly eroded fuel economy: 44 miles per gallon in the city, 40 mpg on the highway, and 42 mpg combined. For the record, the electric motors charge the compact, lightweight lithium-ion battery tucked neatly below the rear seat that replaced last year’s 60-cell nickel-metal hydride battery.

UX300h's relatively light curb weight allows softer suspension tuning that maintains reasonable body control over pavement undulations. The ride quality is comfy, though minor body roll in corners is noticeable.

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Lexus's Safety System+ 3.0, a standard item, features pedestrian detection, emergency braking, left turn oncoming vehicle detection and braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and lane departure warnings. The real eyebrow-raiser is its ability to read road signs and display an appropriate icon on the dashboard.

A 12.3-inch central touch screen features the latest Lexus infotainment setup. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, as in every other Lexus SUV. The radio is nothing less than a Lexus Premium Sound System driving six speakers. Infotainment includes Drive Connect with cloud navigation, intelligent assistant and destination assist (with paid subscription and 4G network dependent), a SiriusXM 3-month platinum plan trial subscription, Wi-Fi Connect (AT&T hot spot) with up to 30-day/3 GB trial). Throw in Bluetooth connectivity and a multiplicity of USB-C ports (5).

Materials, build quality, and goodness of fit are top-drawer. Lexus seats are renowned for comfort, enviably good lower back support, and a wide range of adjustments. In the UX, the front bucket seats, heated and ventilated, are eight-way power adjustable. Seating five occupants, the interior room is tight, with precious little legroom in the back row. Not surprising for a car for this class, trunk space is tight, the load floor is high. The rear bench folds 60/40, converting seating to cargo space.

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Finally, the basic warranty term is four years or 50,000 miles; corrosion protection lasts six years; the powertrain is protected for six years or 70,000 miles; and the battery coverage runs eight years or 100,000 miles.

Automotive journalist, Tim Banse, wrote The Gazette’s Motoring car review column from 1989 to 2013 and has published stories in Popular Mechanics and Yachting magazine. He’s toured carmaker factory floors in the U.S. and Japan and raced cars at Riverside, Watkins Glen, and Michigan International Raceway press events. He’s stood close enough to a crash test to feel the shock wave reverberate off his chest. His first car was a vintage ‘56 Chevy Belair.