Lexus’ all-electric UX 300e has been given a mid-life spruce, with an extended range and sharper chassis refinements among the headline upgrades.
The new UX 300e, the first production battery-electric model launched by Lexus in 2020, is set to go on sale during next spring, with a starting price for the 300e EV set to be announced closer to the launch date.
Lexus UX 300e
Chief among the upgrades is a new, higher capacity 72.8 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, a marked step up from the 54.4 kWh example used during the urban compact crossover’s formative 1.5 years. As a result, the estimated electric range has similarly vaulted from 315 km up to 450 km on 17-inch wheels, a gain of 40 per cent and moves the UX 300e into the crosshairs of the Volvo XC40 Recharge, among others. Whether the original 50-minute, DC fast-charge time has also been upgraded has not yet been confirmed.
Lexus UX 300e
The original 201 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque figures remain unaltered, though Lexus has stated that revised performance figures – currently 0-100 km/h in 7.5 seconds – will be introduced in due course.
There have also been further efforts to “refine the dynamics” away from the electric motor’s power output. 20-spot welding points means a more rigid body, with EV-catered Electric Power Steering and shock absorbers also introduced in an effort to “refine the dynamics.”
Lexus UX 300e
In the cabin, a new, larger and higher-resolution 12.3-inch centre display, mounted closer to the driver, replaces the previous track-pad setup with touchscreen controls, while the surrounding switchgear has been re-organized / “optimized” accordingly (this includes two new USB charging ports). The new infotainment system also features an improved voice activation system and the latest generation Lexus Link connectivity software.
On the safety side of things, the 2023MY UX 300e now comes with the Japanese marque’s updated Safety System+, which features radar-guided cruise control as standard and a more assertive front collision assist, intersection turning assist, and emergency steering. In a neat touch, downloading a dedicated app means the EV crossover can be locked, unlocked and started via the owner’s smartphone, a move Lexus has made to make sharing ‘digital keys’ between family members more convenient.
The 300e EV is the latest round of upgrades for Lexus’ UX range, the smaller, hybrid 250h having received an updated driver assistance system, new active variable suspension and an enlarged infotainment touchscreen back in May.
