2025 Lexus UX 300h F Sport

Regardless of its size, there’s no doubt that the Lexus UX 300h delivers on what it promises. It’s a small luxury car with a soft ride, plenty of technology, and the fuel efficiency needed to gain the most distance between fill-ups.

A Tight, But Well-Buttoned Interior

Despite its entry-level position in the Lexus lineup, the UX 300h has an interior that is befitting of the brand. The UX 300h has a handsome interior with an attractive layout and upscale materials like Nu-Luxe leather and wood trim. It’s also very driver-focused, with its large 12.3-inch infotainment screen and HVAC buttons tilted slightly toward the left side. There’s also a large center storage area between the driver and passenger with a trick up its sleeve -- it can open on either side.

The steering wheel is leather-wrapped and heated and there is plenty of leg and head room in the first row. The front seats are also very supportive, power-adjustable, and come with heating and ventilation. The rear seat area, however, may be a little cramped for tall passengers as the legroom is limited back there. Also, getting in and out of the back could require some flexibility from your passengers. But once you’re in, you’re in.

As for cargo space, the UX has 17.1 cubic feet of cargo volume in its trunk area, which is accessed through a power liftgate. I didn’t fully test out the trunk space, but a couple of grocery bags fit just fine. However, taller items will require the rear seats to be folded first.

By comparison, the Mercedes-Benz GLA has 15.4 cubic feet of space and the BMW X1 has 25.7. So if you need more cargo volume on a daily basis, the Lexus UX may not be the answer.

Technology

As for technology, the mighty little Lexus UX has everything you need to make your daily commute comfortable and entertaining. That entertainment comes via the large touchscreen in the center of the dash, which is running the brand’s latest infotainment interface. The interface itself is easy to use as navigating through the menus only requires touching the icons on the left of the screen.

My tester was equipped with on-board navigation and satellite radio, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Let’s face it, most people will only use the smartphone integration anyway, and fortunately, it connects seamlessly every time. Additionally, the UX was equipped with the upgraded Lexus 10-speaker sound system, which sounded great. I wished that it had the Mark Levinson system found in other Lexus models, but the factory unit was more than adequate for my novice ears.

A Fuel-Efficient Hybrid Powertrain

Lexus used to offer a non-hybrid version of the UX, but not anymore. It only comes equipped with a hybrid powertrain that essentially makes it Lexus’ version of the Toyota Prius. It makes sense, considering almost every automaker is making the swing toward a hybrid and EV future.

Regardless, the Lexus UX makes for a great hybrid as its powertrain, which consists of a 2.0-liter engine paired to an electric motor, propels the car effortlessly off the line and through traffic. The system puts out a combined 196 horsepower and is mated to a CVT that sends the power out to all four wheels.

As for ride quality, the UX is smoother than you might expect, given its diminutive size. It has an adaptive suspension that slightly firms and softens depending on which drive mode you put it in. The “Sport” mode makes the ride feel a tad sportier by tightening up the steering effort and making the throttle feel more responsive. The “Eco” mode does the opposite to save fuel, and “normal” mode makes everything feel normal.

Driving the UX around town is easy due to its small size. The visibility out of all four corners of the car is good and there are various sensors built in to ensure you don’t hit anything. The power is adequate and although the UX could be considered “slow” by most drivers with a heavy foot, speed isn’t the name of its game. It’s fuel efficiency.

And to that end, the UX almost makes good on its EPA-estimated promise of 42 mpg in combined driving. During the week I had it, I averaged 39 mpg, which is good, but not great for a hybrid car.

A Surprisingly Classy Exterior

The 2025 Lexus UX has a bold presence with its wide fenders and large front spindle grille. Its sharp head and taillights give it a sporty appearance that fits well with the rest of the body’s theme. Getting in and out of the UX is easier for the front passengers than the rear ones, and loading cargo into the trunk area is easy with the wide opening and high floor height.

My tester for the week was outfitted with F Sport package, which adds a power moonroof, the mesh front grille, and F Sport 18-inch wheels. Overall, the package makes the UX look slightly more aggressive, but not overdone.

Safety and Convenience

The Lexus UX has all the safety features most buyers look for in a luxury car. Those include the Lexus Safety System 3.0, which includes features like a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane tracing assist, road sign assist, and a lane departure alert with steering assist. There’s also a blind-spot monitoring and 10 airbags to keep all of its occupants safe in a crash.

While driving, the adaptive cruise control and lane-tracing features worked well in keep the car in between the lines and a safe distance from the car in front of me. The car even came to a complete stop when using the cruise control feature in stop-and-go traffic.

Summary

The 2025 Lexus UX 300h F Sport is a nimble little SUV that’s well-suited for a commute filled with traffic and stop signs. Its hybrid powertrain sips more fuel when driving in an urban dwelling as opposed to long highway journeys and its interior is comfortable enough to be used every day without resulting in unnecessary back or body aches.

The base UX 300h model starts at $37,515 for the front-drive model, but my test car for the week added up to $49,545 with the $1,150 destination charge. Is it worth buying over its German rivals? If you’re the type that craves the softness that Lexus injects into all its cars and want to save some money while getting into the luxury segment, then yes, it’s worth every dollar.