Lexus splits the pack with UX pricing
BY JUSTIN HILLIARD | 6th Nov 2018
LEXUS Australia has confirmed a staggered launch and specification for its critical UX small SUV, which will be priced from $44,450 before on-road costs when it starts entering showrooms later this month.
While the UX’s entry-level cost is sharp, Mini’s Countryman ($41,900), Audi’s Q2 ($41,950) and Q3 ($43,400), and Mercedes-Benz’s GLA ($44,200) remain the price leaders in its class.
However, the UX does undercut Volvo’s XC40 ($44,990), BMW’s X1 ($45,900) and X2 ($49,900), Jaguar’s E-Pace ($47,750) and Infiniti’s QX30 ($48,900).
The UX is Lexus Australia’s most important new-model launch since the one-size-larger NX, as sales in the $40,000-plus small-SUV segment have boomed this year, with 13,707 vehicles sold to the end of October – a 24.9 per cent increase over the 10,973 deliveries made during the same period in 2017.
Audi and BMW are currently the biggest brands in the class, with an equal share of 26.4 per cent, while Mercedes-Benz is not far behind, at 24.7 per cent.
Model-wise, the GLA (3387 units) leads the X1 (2634), Q3 (2062), Q2 (1569), XC40 (1200), X2 (988), Countryman (866), E-Pace (848) and QX30 (153) in the segment’s year-to-date sales race.
According to Lexus Australia chief executive Scott Thompson, a younger customer base that is new to the brand and class is being targeted by the UX.
“The UX delivers fresh and contemporary appeal to young buyers seeking new and exciting experiences relevant to their lifestyles,” he said.
“For many of them, this will not only be their first Lexus vehicle, but also their first entry into the luxury segment.”
The front-wheel-drive UX200 kicks off the eight-variant line-up in Luxury form, while the step up to the mid-range Sports Luxury brings the sticker price to $53,000. The flagship F Sport attracts a $450 premium.
Opting for the FWD UX250h self-charging hybrid adds $3500 to the aforementioned prices, while its Sports Luxury and F Sport guises can be upgraded to Lexus’ E-Four all-wheel-drive system for $4500.
Going on sale in late November, the UX200 is motivated by a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 126kW of power and 205Nm of torque.
The UX200 is paired to a direct-shift continuously-variable transmission (D-CVT) that features a traditional first gear – as first seen in the 12th-generation Toyota Corolla small hatch.
Scheduled to go on sale in late January, the UX250h combines a 2.0-litre atmo four-pot unit with two electric motors for a combined maximum power output of 131kW. Its fuel consumption on the combined cycle is as low as 4.5 litres per 100 kilometres.
The UX250h employs a CVT with six simulated ratios as standard, while its optional E-Four set-up integrates one of the electric motors into the rear differential to permanently provide extra grip.
Standard equipment in the Luxury grade includes 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, foglights and tail-lights; power-adjustable side mirrors with heating, a reversing camera, parking sensors and three driving modes – Normal, Eco and Sport.
Inside, a 10.3-inch infotainment system, satellite navigation, an eight-speaker sound system, digital radio, a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, a leather-accented steering wheel and gear selector, eight-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a power-adjustable steering column and eight airbags feature.
Advanced driver-assist systems extend to autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keep and steering assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, high-beam assist, traffic sign recognition and tyre pressure monitoring.
Headlight washers, cornering lights, rear privacy glass, a hands-free power-operated tailgate, alloy scuff plates and wireless smartphone charging can be optioned on the Luxury via its $1550 Enhancement Pack 1, while Enhancement Pack 2 also includes a moonroof for $2500 extra.
Sports Luxury variants add 18-inch rims with run-flat tyres, adaptive LED headlights, a 13-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, leather-accented upholstery, ventilated front seats and surround-view cameras.
Meanwhile, the F Sport grade distinguishes itself with unique bumpers and 18-inch alloy wheels, plus a sportier take on the steering wheel, gear selector, seats and pedals.
It also picks up adaptive suspension with rear performance dampers, two additional driving modes and Active Sound Control but misses out on the Sports Luxury’s upgraded sound system and surround-view cameras.
These two features can be optioned as part of the F Sport’s $5600 Enhancement Pack 2, which also includes a moonroof, a head-up display and a smart key card that can be added to the Sports Luxury with its $3500 Enhancement Pack.
The moonroof can be optioned individually on the F Sport via its $2500 Enhancement Pack 1, while premium paintwork costs $1500 for all UX variants.
2018 Lexus UX pricing*
| UX200 FWD Luxury (a) | $44,450 |
| UX200 FWD Sports Luxury (a) | $53,000 |
| UX200 FWD F Sport (a) | $53,450 |
| UX250h FWD Luxury (a) | $47,950 |
| UX250h FWD Sports Luxury (a) | $56,500 |
| UX250h FWD F Sport (a) | $56,950 |
| UX250h AWD Sports Luxury (a) | $61,000 |
| UX250h AWD F Sport (a) | $61,450 |
*Excludes on-road costs
