Lexus has really taken advantage of the booming crossover segment in the US to breathe new life into its range of affordable luxury cars. The 2021 Lexus UX is still in its first generation, having replaced the CT200h a few years back, and it's going strong. It has bold styling, an upscale interior, and loads of standard tech. The naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engine isn't all that impressive, though, focusing heavily on fuel economy with only 169 horsepower, which is nothing compared to performance crossovers. Since it competes in the premium market, the UX has some heavy-hitting rivals like theAudi Q3,Volvo XC40, andMercedes-Benz GLA. Offering a hybrid model, which is reviewed separately, helps the 2021 UX stand out a little, but such stiff competition will likely keep hogging all the subcompact market share. Will this be the year that Lexus sits beside the German royalty on the premium subcompact crossover podium?
The changes to the 2021 Lexus UX are not overly extensive this year, but the automaker has set out to address some customer gripes. The throttle responses have been tightened up across the range, and the upper trim levels receive a cargo board to increase maximum capacity to 21.7 cubic feet. As for the standard features, they have been enhanced with the addition of blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Finally, Autumn Shimmer and Silver Lining Metallic are no longer offered as exterior color options.
See trim levels and configurations:
| Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Price (MSRP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UX 200 |
2.0L Inline-4 Gas |
Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT) |
Front-Wheel Drive |
$33,000 |
| UX 200 F SPORT |
2.0L Inline-4 Gas |
Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT) |
Front-Wheel Drive |
$35,000 |
| UX 250h |
2.0L Inline-4 Hybrid |
Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT) |
All-Wheel Drive |
$35,200 |
| UX 250h F Sport |
2.0L Inline-4 Hybrid |
Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT) |
All-Wheel Drive |
$37,200 |
| UX 200 Luxury |
2.0L Inline-4 Gas |
Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT) |
Front-Wheel Drive |
$37,700 |
尽管它可能有其缺点,UX交叉a perfectly fine vehicle. It presents motorists with a premium-level interior at a much lower cost than its European rivals, and it looks appealing from the outside, too. The safety suite is extensive and contributes towards the car's high safety rating. This is confirmed by the near-perfect review of the 2021 Lexus UX by both the NHTSA and IIHS. Reliability is unquestioned, either, as there have been no recalls for this year.
When it comes to 5-door family SUVs, the UX ticks all the right boxes. It doesn't need more power than it supplies, and the ride comfort is excellent. The savings on the fuel bill stacked on top of the lower asking price will likely bring a smile to buyers' faces, though. It's definitely worth consideration if you don't mind a boring but compliant daily driver.
Every trim in the standard UX range is quite affordable, but we'd opt for the mid-tier F Sport. Sure, it doesn't live up to the name, even with the additional an F Sport-tuned suspension, but it looks great and gets some additional features over the base model. These include an eight-inch multi-information display and access to the Luxury Package, which adds a larger touchscreen, driver-seat memory, and climate controlled front seats. The total price of a 2021 Lexus UX crossover with these specs is $39,590 MSRP.
The most popular competitors of 2021 Lexus UX:
Acura
Alfa Romeo
Aston Martin
Audi
Automobili Pininfarina
Bentley
BMW
Bollinger
BrightDrop
Bugatti
Buick
Cadillac
Caterham
Chevrolet
Chrysler
Dodge
Ferrari
Fiat
Fisker
Ford
Genesis
GMC
Gordon Murray Automotive
亨尼西
Honda
Hyundai
Ineos Automotive
Infiniti
Jaguar
Jeep
Karma
Kia
Koenigsegg
Lamborghini
Land Rover
Lexus
Lincoln
Lordstown
Lotus
Lucid Motors
Maserati
Mazda
McLaren
Mercedes-Benz
Mini
Mitsubishi
Nissan
Pagani
Polestar
Porsche
Ram
Rimac
Rivian
Rolls-Royce
Spyker
Subaru
Tesla
Toyota
VinFast
Volkswagen
Volvo