Lexus UX SUV - Interior & comfort
The Lexus UX looks and feels great inside
The Lexus UX is generally smooth and relaxing to travel in. At higher cruising speeds, its slippery shape helps to keep wind noise at bay, and occupants will find tyre noise far more intrusive than any other mechanical sound. The clever (optional) active damping system is effective at ironing out road bumps, but we've yet to try the standard suspension. The E-CVT gearbox can result in some engine sound that’s slightly at odds with progress, but it’s not intrusive and often the engine cuts out altogether.
Lexus has established an enviable reputation for interior design and quality, and the UX doesn't disappoint. The materials used are from the top drawer, and the layout is distinctive and pleasing to look at. Enthusiasts might even spot a few visual influences from the range-topping Lexus LC sports coupe.
Lexus UX dashboard
The UX's dashboard sweeps around the driver, who's placed right in the centre of the action. The instrument cluster is a little smaller than that of some rivals, but its seven-inch digital display is clear and easy to understand and can be configured to your taste.
Major features, such as the climate-control system, are easy to use thanks to piano-style buttons in the centre console. However, we remain unconvinced by the touchpad system that Lexus employs for its infotainment systems. It's fiddly to use when at a standstill, and worse when you're on the move. There's no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto on board, either, but the wide central touchscreen looks great.
Equipment
The UX is available in three trim levels. The entry-level model is simply the UX, followed by F Sport and top-spec Takumi.
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The UX comes with sat nav, dual-zone air-conditioning and 17-inch alloy wheels, along with compatibility with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The Premium Sports Edition gets larger wheels, artificial leather and heated front seats, along with a rear-view camera.
The F Sport has sporty styling extras to give it a more muscular appearance, as well as 18-inch alloy wheels, sports seats, pedals and steering wheel.
The Takumi version of the UX features leather upholstery, ventilated seats, a Mark Levinson 13-speaker sound system, a 10-inch multimedia display, 360-degree camera, driver’s head-up display, sunroof, blind spot monitor and rear cross traffic alert.
Options
Five option packs are available for the UX. The Premium Pack (available for UX and F Sport trims) includes 18-inch alloy wheels, front and rear parking sensors, rear privacy glass, integrated heating in the front seats and steering wheel and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror.
Taking luxury specification to an even higher level, the Premium Plus Pack adds leather upholstery, smart entry, a powered tailgate and illuminated entry system. F Sport buyers also get a 10-inch multimedia display and power-adjustable steering wheel as part of the pack.
Introduced for 2020, there's also a Premium Pro Pack. This includes the kit in the Premium Plus Pack and adds blind-spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alerts, a head-up display, adaptive LED headlights, a 13-speaker Mark Levinson stereo, wireless smartphone charging and power adjustable seats.
The Tech & Safety Pack equips the car with a blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic with auto brake, triple-eye LED headlights, a driver’s head-up display and a wireless charging tray for smartphones. The F Sport model also gets adaptive suspension as part of this pack, which provides automatic, independent, damping force at each wheel in response to driver inputs and road conditions.
The UX model is available with a Tech & Sound Pack that equips the vehicle with the Mark Levinson audio system, head-up display, wireless charger and power-adjustable front seats and steering wheel.
The F Sport model is available with a Takumi Pack, which includes everything in the Premium Plus and Tech & Safety Packs, together with front seat ventilation, the Mark Levinson audio system, a sunroof and 360-degree camera. If you want to inject some extra flair, there's also a new ‘Cobalt’ blue trim colour for 2020, as well as an ‘F White’ colour scheme with contrasting black and white leather for the seats and dashboard.
