While there are BMWs, Mercedes, Audis, and many other rivals, the 2021 Lexus UX seems bent on claiming the executive class of buyers for itself. There were 3,500 sales in the UK market in 2019. The Lexus UX had claimed the top spot in European sales overall with more than 32,000 sold.
It only took a year for this electric hybrid to lead Lexus sales. The vehicle seems to have been styled to match the American demand for spaciousness while remaining aware of the European and UK expectation that an SUV must have a small footprint. Likewise, Lexus seems to have put an emphasis on performance and handling that will please driving enthusiasts. There’s a lot to be said for this compact crossover, but the biggest attraction is the low ownership costs.
Purchase Cost
The Lexus UX is eligible for a grant from the Office of Low Emission Vehicles. For those who want to get the most for their money, they’ll be aiming for the UX over some high priced rivals. This may not be good news for the Audi E-Tron 50 or the Volvo XC40 Recharge, for instance. Both are higher priced, and neither is eligible for the grant.
Fuel Costs
The Lexus UX electric hybrid meets all the requirements for driving today. It has a lower carbon footprint, and it helps you avoid the big prices at the fuel pump. Drivers with a similar diesel-powered SUV are expected to spend up to £3,000 more over the course of a typical four-year lease.
Of course, if this is the first electric car purchased, the buyer will need a charging station at home. They can charge overnight at low rates and enjoy enough power for the next day’s driving. If they do run low, there are designated charging stations where they can get the power they need fairly quickly.
Insurance and Safety Costs
One way that vehicles cost their owners money is through high insurance rates. Lexus systems are designed to prevent collisions, which should keep insurance rates under control. Even better, all of that safety technology should reduce the chances that the 2021 Lexus UX will wander into a crash scenario.
This is true at all speeds. In busy traffic, blind spot monitoring, lane keeping, and forward collision watch are active. At slower speeds, the pedestrian watch may be the life saver. In the parking lot, a rear traffic watch is there to warn the driver about another car in the path of the Lexus UX.
Style and Quality
Wrapping up the package, there is a certain level of style that you’d hope from a premium ride. It has the latest dash technologies and smart amenities to keep the driver happy. A power-adjustable steering wheel can be paired with electrically adjustable front seats. Premium upholstery can be combined with Japanese ‘Washi’ Paper Inspired Instrument Panel.
Performance on Demand
This electric ride isn’t slow. The UX electric hybrid actually is faster than its petrol edition. Perhaps one reason the 2021 Lexus UX is doing well in the EU and the UK is that it was tested at the Lexus R&D Centre in Zaventem. Engineers gave this crossover a lower center of gravity and a super-rigid platform. Precise electric power steering adds to the driver’s feeling of control.
There are other options out there, but the 2021 Lexus UX is certainly pushing for its right to hold the road. At the rate it’s selling, this electric hybrid may be with us for years to come.