Road Test: 2020 Lexus UX 250h F Sport AWD

An Impressive Fuel-Efficient Premium Compact Crossover

Okay, let’s get something out there first thing. I am a big fan of the 2020 Lexus UX 250h. I guess we could end it here, but let’s get into it a bit deeper on why it is such an excellent compact crossover SUV.

New for the 2019 model year, Lexus’ subcompact crossover competes in a segment where they previously did not have any models. The name UX references “Urban + Xover (crossover) = UX.” The design team’s concept was to offer a “modern urban explorer by seeking a fresh, contemporary take on luxury driving.” The target will be someone buying their first Lexus and their first luxury car. They will not be disappointed.

Hybrid Efficiency

The 2020 Lexus UX 250h is powered by the Lexus Hybrid Drive system of a 2.0-liter gasoline powered, four-cylinder engine. When combined with the twin electric motors, there is a total of 181 horsepower running through a continuously variable automatic transmission with paddle shifters. The transmission has a mechanical first gear that launches the UX 250h before the CVT kicks in. That gear improves initial acceleration and reduces the load on the CVT belts and pulleys. The paddle shifters are programmed for fast shifts, which makes blipping them a blast on a tight mountain road.

The Lexus Hybrid Drive system automatically switches between the electric drive mode, combined electric motor and gasoline engine, and gasoline-only engine power. New for 2020, the UX 250h can go-up to 71 mph on electricity with the nearly imperceptible transition between gasoline and electricity, which can be monitored by viewing the dash gauges.

The trick to getting the highest fuel economy in a hybrid is learning how to drive it efficiently. On short in-town runs, I was getting in excess of 50 mpg. Overall though, fuel economy for the 2020 UX 250h is EPA rated at 41 mpg city/38 highway/combined 39. Running on regular unleaded and in the Eco drive mode, our time traversing Southern California highways covered 226 miles at an average of 41 mpg. On three separate occasions of either being in stop-and-go rush hour traffic or in a city, we averaged 47.1 mpg. The higher number demonstrates the beauty of hybrid technology for commuting and in-town driving, rewarding the “modern urban explorer” who will be seeking the newest restaurant or club.

The nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) battery is charged when applying the brakes or coasting. This regenerative charging system converts kinetic energy into electric energy and stores it in the battery. This process is also viewed on a dash gauge where you can watch the power flow into and out of the battery and engine.

Driving Experience: On the Road

Clean Fleet Report drove the 2020 Lexus UX 250h F Sport, with F Sport being the sportiest trim level on any Lexus model. The UX 250h F Sport has a sport-tuned suspension of revised springs and stabilizer bars, with active sound control. This last feature produces the sound of up and down shifts, making the CVT (which has no gears) sound like it is going through the gears. And yes, it works, and, yes, it is pretty cool.

In the F Sport trim, the UX hybrid has 18-inch gloss black alloy wheels shod with 225/50 all-season run-flat tires. This brings up an interesting debate: Is any performance sacrificed with the run-flats versus the weight savings by having no spare? In our time in the UX hybrid, there was no perceived degradation of handling due to the run-flat tires. If anything, we were impressed with how well it handled and how smooth the ride was. Could summer tires improved the handling? Of course, but that would be your option to change them out.

The UX 250h has respectable performance, thanks to the extra power from the twin electric motors. It feels small as it navigates easily through city spaces, and with a 17-foot turning radius, three-point turns are a thing of the past.

Out on the road the UX 250h feels planted and solid with the available combination of active cornering assist and vehicle stability control, which helps control understeer on turns and corners. The system automatically applies small amounts of brake pressure to the inside wheels, so corners are taken with more precision and control.

Zero-to-60 speeds are in the mid-nine second range, which doesn’t quite put it in the performance or sporty category. But by placing the CVT in Sport mode, the engine is forced to stay in the rev band for more sprightly performance. The sense is linear and smooth, a natural acceleration that comes from a non-turbocharged engine and is more than adequate for most driving situations.

The feel of authority and confidence when going down the road is aided by the electric power-assist steering, which was programmed for good road feedback. The cabin was pleasantly isolated from common road imperfections.

Driving Experience: Exterior

The UX 250h is in the subcompact luxury crossover segment which puts it against some hearty competitors. The Lexus design team knew it had to stand out, but in a classy, unique way. To do this they began with the focal point of all Lexus models, its signature grill that features a block-shape mesh pattern. This grille probably has elicited more opinions than deep dish versus thin crust pizza. With no middle-ground when it comes to liking or not liking it…I like it. Framed by Bi-LED headlights with the arrowhead and L-shaped lighting design, the grille has a tasteful lower chrome edge, with the Lexus “L” badge top center.

The UX has good proportions with a small greenhouse area. The near flat roof has aluminum rails with cross bars, a color-matched shark fin antenna, ending with a small spoiler located on the foot-activated power rear liftgate. The rear full-width tail lights (with a ‘Lexus’ Easter egg) have 120 LEDs that make for an impressive night time look. Clean Fleet Report’s UX 250h F Sport also had a power tilt and sliding moonroof, power and heated exterior mirrors, and door handle courtesy lights.

The very few chrome bits and pieces are tastefully found accenting the side windows, the front grille and on the rear lower fascia. Clean Fleet Report’s UX 250h F Sport was painted in Redline, which popped against the black trim on the wheel arches and the front and rear fascias. With the wheels pushed to the corners, the sporty look is complete.

Driving Experience: Interior

Using a “less is more” design concept, the uncluttered interior featured high-quality materials with a fit-and-finish that are top notch. Even our dash was inspired by the grain of Japanese paper called washi. If you can imagine an interior feature or treatment that should be on a premium car, then Lexus packed it into the UX 250h F Sport. The well-padded and comfortable NuLuxe synthetic leather front sport seats were heated and perforated. They are eight-way power with lumbar, with F Sport embossed on the head rests, and have red top-stitching. Rear seat access was easy, with comfortable seats and ample head and leg room for two adults. For convenience there were USB ports and a 60/40 folding and reclining seat back.

Gauges, including the hybrid management system, are in easy reach, including those for the dual-zone automatic temperature system. The head-up display was a helpful way to keep our eyes on the road. The heated, black leather-wrapped steering wheel contains audio telephone and voice controls, and was adjustable by the power tilt and telescoping steering wheel column. For fun, the instrument cluster’s center gauge illuminates, animates and slides upon pushing the start button.

Clean Fleet Report’s test car had the optional Lexus Multimedia System with a 10.25-inch, high-resolution touch-screen that included navigation and the Lexus Premium Sound System. The eight-speaker system provides excellent sound to deliver SiriusXM/FM/CD/HDAM with MP3 playback capability. USB ports with iPod connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, music streaming via Bluetooth wireless technology, and hands-free phone capability complete the system. The WiFi Hotspot can support up to five devices and comes with a complementary 4GB of data for one year.

Clean Fleet Report is a big fan of volume and channel knobs for the radio, and this system has them, but not in the traditional location on the dash. Instead, you will find two, easy-to-use wheels on the center console, perfectly placed for where your hand will lay. The trackpad was also easy to learn and use. The Enform service connect system is included for the first 10 years.

Once inside and cruising down the road, wind noise was non-existent, partially due to the low 0.33 coefficient of drag, a flat underbody and noise reduction through sound absorbing and insulating materials.

Safety

The UX 250h is well-equipped with active and passive safety features starting with the Lexus Safety System+ 2.0. This feature-rich system is explained here. Other safety items include 10 air bags, a tire pressure monitoring system, collapsible steering column, electronic parking brake, anti-theft alarm and engine immobilizer, rear view camera, blind spot monitor with rear cross traffic alert, rain sensitive wipers, Homelink rearview mirror, headlamp leveling, and rear park assist.

Pricing and Warranties

The 2020 Lexus UX 250h AWD has a base price of $34,500, which by subcompact luxury crossovers is a very competitive price. Clean Fleet Report’s UX 250h F Sport AWD had a MSRP of $36,500, and with $8,215 in options, the price came to $44,565. Pricing excludes the $1,025 delivery, processing and handling fee.

The 2020 UX 250h comes with these warranties:

• Basic – Four years/50,000 miles
• Powertrain – Six years/70,000 miles
• Hybrid – Eight years/100,000 miles
• Maintenance – One year/10,000 miles
• Corrosion – Six years/Unlimited miles
• Roadside – Four years/Unlimited miles
• Also included are the first and second scheduled maintenance services and lodging in case of an emergency breakdown within 100 miles of the owner’s home.

Observations: 2020 Lexus UX 250h Hybrid F Sport AWD

The 2020 Lexus UX 250h AWD is built on Toyota’s Global Architecture Compact platform, or GA-C. This lightweight and rigid platform offers several design and engineering elements that deliver agile handling with ride comfort, resulting in pleasing driving attributes. Toss-in a fuel-efficient hybrid system, and the UX 250h will have strong appeal for anyone looking for a premium subcompact crossover.

The Lexus UX 250h is a small, aggressively styled crossover, making it stand-out from others on the road. The UX 250h may be the least expensive Lexus you can buy, but this does not mean there was any scrimping on build quality and materials. The interior is a most welcoming place, offering comfort, style and all the tech you could want.

When visiting your Lexus dealer take the time to drive and understand the hybrid technology. Lexus has priced the hybrid aggressively, and they should be eager to deal. So how can you go wrong? Probably can’t!

Whatever you end up buying, Happy Driving!

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Disclosure:

Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition, we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.

Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in their class, which leads us to emphasize electric cars, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and diesels. We also feature those efficient gas-powered vehicles that are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at publisher@cleanfleetreport.com.