Say hello to…
…the Lexus UX300e, a fully electric small SUV similar in length to the BMW X1. Power comes from a 204hp electric motor fed by a 54kW battery, with drive to the front wheels. The UX300e is Lexus’s first battery electric vehicle and the manufacturer claims the SUV is both refined and offers a driving experience that’s “razor sharp”.
Lexus only offers the UX300e in one trim level but does offer two option packs:
- Premium Plus
- Takumi
Standard on all UX300e models are adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, auto high beam, road sign recognition, drive modes, 7-inch infotainment screen, Apple Carplay, Android Auto, 4x USB sockets, Bluetooth, dual-zone climate control, auto wipers, front and rear parking sensors, reversing camera, powered front seats, powered and heated folding door mirrors and 17-inch alloy wheels.
The Premium Plus pack adds leather upholstery, heated and cooled front seats, heated steering wheel, keyless entry and wireless phone charger.
The Takumi pack further adds blind spot monitoring, cross traffic alert with auto brake, powered tailgate, satnav, head-up display, uprated stereo and 18-inch alloys.
Is The Lexus UX300e Suitable For My Fleet
A premium SUV that’s fully electric is almost automatically suitable for fleets and the Lexus UX300e is no exception. It’s just worth remembering a few provisos, while range isn’t everything the UX300e has a battery that’s at the smaller end of capacities. That means a real-world range in the summer of around 163 miles thanks to an efficiency figure of 3.2 miles per kWh.
The UX300e also has a maximum charge speed of 50kW, which is some way off the 100+ speeds offered by rivals.
Rear seat room isn’t great either, and not really suitable for taller adults as there’s not a great deal of head room. It’s also not possible for rear seat passenger to put their feet under the seats in front making it feel even more cramped. However, the boot’s a good size at 367 litres.
Gensen Reports claims the monthly maintenance figure is £65 and the Class 1A NIC comes in at £9.
Leasing A Lexus UX300e
Monthly rental for the UX300e is available on a 3+36 contract for 20,000 miles for £651 from Intelligent Car Leasing. Thanks to strong residual values this is a competitive figure against rivals such as the Volvo XC40 or Audi Q4.
Driving A Lexus UX300e
Lexus has nailed the feeling of quality in the UX300e’s cabin. All materials and all construction is exemplary. The dashboard and wider cabin also don’t suffer from the gloom that can be present in some premium German interiors.
The seats too are comfortable on longer journeys and equipment levels, for the most part, are seriously impressive.
Only the infotainment screen size is less than premium unless you opt for the highest option pack. And the same applies if you want satnav without having to rely on your phone. And while the infotainment system is more logical than the latest system from VW Group vehicles, Lexus’s trackpad system that operates the screen isn’t easy to operate.
The driving experience is a strong plus for the UX300e. It may not be quite “razor sharp” as Lexus claims, but it can provide a fun experience on a twisty road without being harsh in any way. There’s little body roll in the corners and the suspension is quite over harsher road surfaces.
What takes some getting used to with the way the car drives is actually the way it stops. The brakes have a tendency to be quite grabby as you come to a full stop as if the transition from brake energy regeneration to physical brakes needs a bit more work.
FleetandLeasing.com Verdict On The Lexus UX300e
Despite a few flaws, the UX300e is still a very appealing car thanks to impeccable road manners and a true premium cabin.
Lexus UX300e
- Model: UX300e Premium Plus
- Power: 204hp
- Torque: 300Nm
- Max speed: 100mph
- 0-62mph: 7.5s
- Official range: 196 miles
- Test range: 163 miles
- CO2 emissions: 0g/km
- BIK tax band 2022/23: 2%
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