2019 Lexus UX 200 Review
zzdcar' Expert Review
byDan FrioReviews EditorDan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to zzdcar, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.
What's new
The 2019 Lexus UX 200 is an all-new modelSurvey the automotive landscape and you'll see several examples of just how big luxury SUVs can get. Whether it's a Cadillac Escalade or a Lincoln Navigator, there's no shortage of behemoth people-movers on the road. But several automakers are also moving in the other direction, and the latest extra-small arrival is the 2019 Lexus UX 200.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2019 Lexus UX 200 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.
Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota$145/mo for UX 200 Base
UX 200 Base
4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl CVT) (Most Popular) - $32,150 MSRPF SPORT 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $34,150 MSRPLuxury 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $37,350 MSRP
vs
$166/mo
Avg. Compact SUV
Just how small can an SUV get while still providing the plush appointments that buyers expect of luxury brands? Pretty small, as it turns out. BMW and Mercedes have found success by shrinking their larger family-size SUVs into what are essentially tall hatchbacks. With the UX, Lexus takes a similar approach, distilling some of the blissful comforts of its RX and NX models into a classy subcompact crossover. It also happens to be the most affordable way to get into the Lexus brand.
Because of its modest 169-horsepower engine, the UX falls short of most of its competitors in terms of acceleration. But the upside is better fuel economy. Where rival mini-SUVs from Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Infiniti achieve roughly 26-27 mpg combined, the Lexus returns 33 mpg combined, according to EPA estimates. There's also a hybrid model, the UX 250h, that achieves 39 mpg combined.
Inside, the UX impresses with a classic Lexus formula of understated style and lots of standard features. But this is also where you'll find most of the UX's drawbacks. The infotainment system isn't particularly easy to use, and the cargo area is small. There's also evidence of cost-cutting, with some of the interior surfaces and materials feeling more Toyota Corolla than Lexus SUV. Overall, however, we think the new Lexus UX 200 is worth a look for anyone seeking a sharp-looking ride in a pint-size package.
zzdcar' Expert Rating
7.1 / 10
Trim tested
Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Lexus UX 200 Luxury (2.0L inline-4 | CVT automatic | FWD).
Scorecard
Overall | 7.1 / 10 |
Driving | 7.0 |
Comfort | 7.0 |
Interior | 6.8 |
Utility | 6.5 |
Technology | 7.0 |
Driving
7.0The UX 200 is relatively zippy and playful and is ideally suited as a city runabout. But compared to most rivals in the class, the overall experience is less dynamic. In particular, its measured acceleration and braking performance are well behind competitors.
Acceleration
6.5In the Normal drive mode, the UX feels a bit lethargic when you press on the gas. But switch to Sport and it's much livelier. While outright acceleration is undeniably slow — in our testing, the UX 200 needed 8.9 seconds to get to 60 mph — the car feels responsive. Power builds through the rev range and doesn't plateau early.
Braking
6.0Brake feel is reassuring and the response is linear, which helps make the UX easy to drive. Emergency braking performance is lacking, however. We measured a stopping distance of 129 feet from 60 mph, which is longer than average for this class of vehicle. There are some unsettling noises and shakes coming from the ABS under max braking effort, too.
Steering
8.0There's good on-center feel, and steering resistance builds quickly, which makes the UX feel a bit more substantial. There's not much in terms of road feedback, but steering is precise and easy to judge.
Handling
7.5If you don't take it too seriously, the UX 200 is surprisingly playful around town. You'll feel confident going around smooth and sweeping turns, such as freeway on-ramps. But drive more aggressively or hit a midcorner bump and the UX's body becomes unsettled. For its intended mission, the Lexus handles adequately.
Drivability
7.5We appreciate that Lexus didn't add in simulated gear-shift changes (which add unnecessary choppiness to some CVT automatics) in auto mode. In certain circumstances, there's a small delay in power delivery during the handoff from the fixed-ratio first gear to the CVT automatic. But otherwise the transmission is agreeable.
Comfort
7.0Sadly, the smallest Lexus crossover doesn't go big on the Lexus comfort we expect. The front seats aren't particularly luxurious, and somehow the ride feels more brittle than what you get from some small sedans. It's acceptable, but comfort levels that would have economy customers smiling are unlikely to put a grin on a luxury shopper's face.
Seat comfort
7.5The front seats are a comfortable place to spend time thanks to pleasantly supportive cushions, but the seatback's distinct contour won't please every back. The headrests also lean forward a little aggressively. Shorter drivers will be able to raise them out of the way, but taller drivers may be bothered.
Ride comfort
7.0The UX deserves a more refined ride quality. The suspension smooths out sharp edges, but it still transmits too much of the road surface into the cabin. At the same time, the suspension isn't firm enough to be intentionally sporty. It's a rather mediocre middle ground.
Noise & vibration
6.0The UX doesn't do the best job of isolating you from traffic noise. And in our test UX 200, distinct wind noise came from around the doors. Depending on the road surface, there's also noticeable road and tire noise. Overall, it's below par for the class and cheapens the cabin experience.
Climate control
7.0Heating and cooling are strong. The heated and ventilated seats aren't the most powerful, but they get the job done. We appreciate that all climate controls have physical buttons, but the toggle-switch design isn't the friendliest.
Interior
6.8The interior is attractively designed, even if the controls are a bit confusing to use at times. There's also more interior space than you'd think, at least up front. Rear legroom, however, consistently aligns with the expectations of buying a little SUV — it's tight.
Ease of use
6.0There are physical buttons for most controls, but the layout is a bit consternating. The handful of media buttons near the shifter is certainly easy to reach, but they take some getting used to. As in other Lexus models, operating the infotainment touchpad controller adds frustration to simple tasks.
Getting in/getting out
7.0The short doors open wide, providing suitable access. And the front seats are at an appropriate height, facilitating sliding in and out. But access isn't as smooth for rear passengers. The rear door opening into the footwell is rather narrow, so getting your feet in and out of the back requires some maneuvering. Taller passengers will have to duck in and out of the back seat.
Driving position
7.0The high beltline makes you feel as if you're sitting quite low in the car, which is unbecoming in an SUV. You can raise the seat higher, but then you may find the gauge cluster and wheel to be awkwardly low. The steering column lacks sufficient range of motion to accommodate a variety of natural seating positions.
Roominess
6.5This vehicle is small, even compared to other subcompact SUVs. Front accommodations are a bit narrow, and your knees may meet the dash if you have to move the seats forward to make room for rear passengers. Rear passengers get generous toe room, but legroom is lacking. The only significant positive is a good amount of headroom for front and rear passengers.
Visibility
6.5Thick roof pillars all around create blind spots despite the helpful front pillar corner windows. The rear view is partially obstructed if the rear headrests are up. The backup camera is helpful, but the display is a bit small and not the greatest quality. Blind-spot monitoring unfortunately isn't standard equipment.
Quality
8.5Quality is where the UX 200 excels. There are a lot of soft-touch materials, and (especially with the Luxury package) the upholstery is soft and pleasing. Every surface seems to have some sort of texturing, which adds depth and visual interest to the cabin. Even though there's a lot of plastic, texturing and coloring make the interior look distinctly upscale. The doors feel light when closing them, which evokes thoughts of an economy car.
Utility
6.5The UX 200 offers a reasonable amount of storage space for an extra-small SUV, but it's a far cry from the current class leader, the BMW X1. The lack of small-item storage is particularly frustrating.
Small-item storage
7.0The door pockets are quite small but can hold 12-ounce water bottles. You get anti-tip cupholders and a modestly sized console box under the armrest. A small shelf in front of the shifter provides just enough room for a phone. Overall, there's a lack of options to organize your small items.
Cargo space
6.5Cargo space is acceptable at 21.7 cubic feet, but that's about it. The load floor isn't particularly wide, and the liftover point is a bit high. The rear seats fold down but not enough to create a completely flat load floor. Overall, the UX 200 isn't as practical as some other competitors.
Child safety seat accommodation
7.0LATCH points are clearly marked and easy to access thanks to large plastic sleeves with doors that pop on and off. Bulky rear-facing car seats may have issues clearing the front seatbacks when being installed or removed. They'll also interfere with front seat travel.
Technology
7.0Apple CarPlay has finally arrived, but otherwise the crisp-looking technology is somewhat cumbersome to interact with, and the profusion of buttons across various surfaces doesn't always help matters. If you want the latest and greatest tech in your pint-size luxury SUV, the UX isn't going to wow you. It does, however, have an excellent optional stereo.
Audio & navigation
7.5As usual, Lexus makes a nice stereo. The upgraded eight-speaker system in our test UX provided strong and accurate sound. The infotainment system display looks nice, and it's not difficult to figure out how to do things, but the touch interface adds a layer of frustration to every interaction. The built-in nav isn't as fully featured or easy to use as some competitors, but it is easy to read and follow.
Smartphone integration
7.5Front passengers get two USB ports and an auxiliary jack, along with a standard 110-volt outlet, while rear passengers get two USB charging ports. Apple CarPlay and a wireless charging pad are both available. Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant have some integrated features, and they let you replace some key fob functions with your smart device. Sadly, Android Auto isn't offered.
Driver aids
7.0The driver aids are functional, but they aren't quite up to par with other Lexus offerings or the rest of the class. The UX has a small camera display and twitchy reactions from the adaptive cruise. Blind-spot monitoring should be standard, considering the car's price and visibility issues, but it is not.
Voice control
6.0It can be hard to tell if the voice system is rigorously regimented or just prone to misunderstanding. The best results come from following the on-screen guide step by step, although that takes more time and is just as distracting as performing tasks by hand.
Which UX 200 does zzdcar recommend?
Picking a UX 200 largely comes down to which features you want. We'd go with base UX 200. Look to get the Premium package as it offers some appealing creature comforts and tasteful interior materials, such as the Japanese fabric-paper panel motifs. Also consider getting the related UX 250h hybrid as it has a little more power, better fuel economy and all-wheel drive.
2019 Lexus UX 200 models
The 2019 Lexus UX is a five-passenger SUV that comes in base, Luxury and F Sport trim levels. It uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (169 hp, 151 pound-feet of torque) that sends power to the front wheels only through a continuously variable automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is available on the UX 250h hybrid (reviewed separately) only.
Standard features include 18-inch wheels, LED headlights, heated side mirrors, proximity entry and push-button start, selectable drive modes, dual-zone automatic climate control, simulated-leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and a 60/40-split folding rear seat.
Technology highlights include a rearview camera, Bluetooth, an infotainment system with 7-inch touchscreen display, smartphone app-based navigation, onboard Wi-Fi, four USB ports, Apple CarPlay smartphone integration, six-speaker audio system and satellite radio.
In addition to standard safety features, the UX 200 also includes the Lexus Safety System 2.0, which encompasses driver assistance features such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, road sign recognition, and Lexus Enform Safety Connect emergency services.
Optional for the base UX is the Premium package. It adds heated and ventilated front seats, a sunroof, automatic wipers and washi interior trim, inspired by Japanese fabric paper.
Opt for the Luxury trim and you get all of the Premium package's features along with sound-damping front side windows, auto-dimming side mirrors, a hands-free liftgate, driver-seat memory functions, blind-spot monitoring, a navigation system, a 10.3-inch central display, and an eight-speaker sound system.
The F Sport trim is more of a performance package than trim level (although Lexus classifies it as the latter) and includes unique 18-inch wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, LED foglights, an augmented engine sound generator, steering wheel paddle shifters, sport front seats, and an upgraded digital gauge cluster.
Several stand-alone options allow you to season the UX further to taste. They include upgraded triple-beam LED headlights, a sunroof, a windshield wiper de-icer, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a heated steering wheel. Tech upgrades include parking sensors with low-speed auto braking, a head-up display and a wireless phone charger.
Jump to:Related 2019 UX 200 articles
2019 UX 200 Highlights
Trim: BaseF SPORTLuxuryBase
Base MSRP | $32,150 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 33 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $145/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 21.7 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
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