2022 Lexus UX 250h

　　

2022 Lexus UX 250h Review

byMichael CantuCorrespondent

　　Michael Cantu has worked in the automotive industry since 2014. He has written over 800 car-related articles and tested and reviewed over 100 vehicles over the course of his career. Michael is a contributor at zzdcar and has also contributed to MotorTrend, Digital Trends and InsideEVs. Michael was featured on a few InsideEVs YouTube channel videos on the topic of electric vehicles. Michael was a MotorTrend Car of the Year judge for 2019 and was a driver in MotorTrend's World's Greatest Drag Races 7 & 8.

　　The 2022 Lexus UX 250h is the brand's smallest and most affordable hybrid model. It's the second-most affordable Lexus after the non-hybrid UX 200. But that doesn't mean Lexus skimped on features; the little luxury SUV comes well equipped and offers plenty of available tech and luxury upgrades.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 Lexus UX 250h 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 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 $3.06 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$96/mo  for UX 250h Base

　　UX 250h Base

　　4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) (Most Popular) - $35,750 MSRPF SPORT 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) - $38,090 MSRPLuxury 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) - $40,790 MSRP

　　vs

　　$167/mo

　　Avg. Compact SUV

　　The UX 250h is great for someone in the market for an affordable luxury SUV that's small and efficient, qualities that are rare in today's market. Other small luxury SUVs such as the Audi Q3 and BMW X1 do not offer hybrid powertrains.

　　Strong fuel economy is the reason why most people buy hybrids, and the UX 250h doesn't disappoint with its EPA-estimated 39 mpg in combined driving. That's a 10 mpg improvement over the UX 200. Its bold styling and sophisticated interior are additional high points, but there are some negative traits to consider as well. For a detailed review, check out the zzdcar' Expert Rating to see why our test team wasn't happy with the UX 250h's tech and acceleration.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Below Average

　　7.0

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

6.5/10

　　How does the UX 250h drive? The UX 250h is smooth around town, but it's also very slow, especially for a luxury vehicle. In our testing, accelerating to 60 mph took a leisurely 10 seconds. The vehicle's steering is nicely weighted, and the UX has some of the fun responsiveness found in the Toyota Corolla (to which it's related), but the added height and weight make for pronounced body roll through corners.

　　Overall, the hybrid UX is most comfortable with city driving, where the engine can stay in its acceptably torquey midrange, and there's no call for real handling prowess. Unfortunately, the brakes aren't easy to control to get the amount of stopping power you want and can feel jerky at low speeds.

　　

Comfort

7.0/10

　　How comfortable is the UX 250h? The UX 250h is a comfortable vehicle, but it doesn't quite offer what we'd expect for the money. The seats are a strong point, with soft leather and padding that proves supportive even on longer drives. Although there's little wind noise and no engine noise while cruising, the engine kicks up an unpleasant racket when you ask for power. You're also exposed to traffic noise and intrusive pinging from the tires over rough pavement. The suspension smooths out bumps, but the run-flat tires make for a busier ride than we'd like.

　　With some controls hidden in infotainment menus, the climate control system is best left in its capable auto mode. Some vents are unfortunately close to the driver's hands and can be loud even at partial power.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below