Little Lexus improves in big ways.
Text and pictures by Amos Kwon
2025 Lexus UX 350h Premium AWD
Trim Base MSRP: $41,110
As Tested Price: $46,255 (incl. $1,150 delivery, processing, and handling fee)
Review
In 2023, the Lexus UX was the brand’s 4th best-selling crossover SUV, reaching shy of 12,000 units for the year. That’s considerably behind the number-one RX by more than a hundred thousand units, and less than even the IS sedan, a member of a waning segment. You could say that not many folks look for a near-luxury hybrid crossover that passes more for a hatchback due to its shape, and you’d be right.
Design
The exterior styling of the UX 300h isn’t handsome or ugly. It sports the same design language the brand has stuck to for the past several years, and that massive spindle grille is front and center. Not much about the UX’s exterior has changed over the years, and it remains pretty low on the style radar. The UX competes with the BMW X1, Audi Q3, and the Mercedes-Benz GLA, none of which has a hybrid setup for the states, but all of which have more power than the Lexus. The UX is very much been the also-ran in the category with no help from its formerly tepid 181-horsepower hybrid setup in the 2024 UX 250h. That changes for 2025 thanks to its more affordable Prius sibling, which gives the 2025 UX 300h its 2.0-liter 4-cylinder + 2 or 3 electric motors (depending on the number of driven wheels) for a total of 196 horses. To call the difference dramatic would be an overstatement.
Power and Performance
Nevertheless, the changes from the last UX are noticeable. My last stint in the UX was a couple of years ago, and I found it competent but underwhelming for the price. The power and refinement upgrades in the 2025 UX 300h Premium AWD won me over. 14 horses more (and still less than 200 total ponies) won’t set your hair on fire, but the UX 300h is smoother, quicker, and ever-so-slightly more entertaining to drive. Frankly, it’s a bit of a sleeper, which is ironic in light of the fact that people almost expect the new Prius to be the quicker of the two given its racier looks.
Ride and Handling
But you have to appreciate the UX 300h for its nimble and easy driving characteristics. I found it quick and tossable enough to thread the needle in traffic, and its steering has good effort but without much feedback. You can push it hard into a turn, and the UX 300h is remarkably predictable. 3455 pounds of curb weight means it’s not corpulent. The chassis and braking complement the steering well, and it’s a genuinely good car to drive all day long. I kept it in Sport mode the entire time and launched it with gusto as often as I could. The efficiency results were nuts. The UX 300h AWD is EPA rated for 42 mpg in combined driving. Our tester nailed 40.0 mpg over the course of 200-plus miles. That’s worth writing home about.
Connectivity
The interior remains the same, and that’s a good thing. Materials quality and styling are very satisfying, except for the somewhat boring door card that ironically sports the same style door handle as the luxurious LC 500. Our Premium tester upgraded the infotainment touchscreen from 8 inches to 12.3 inches and make the old Lexus Enform infotainment system with the touchpad seem like a Commodore 64 compared to a modern iMac. There’s still plenty of non-distracting switchgear, too. The neat row of climate controls, the ergonomic steering wheel-mounted buttons, the small but very effective shift knob, and some of the best wiper and light stalks in the business make the UX 300h pretty seamless to use while driving.
Room and Comfort
NuLuxe faux leather seats are soft and comfy, and they’re easily passable as the natural stuff as long as you don’t spend a lot of time rubbing them with your hands. The synthetic material is soft and attractive, and it should hold up well over time. The front seats are nicely supportive and have just the right amount of cushion. The back seats, however, are still positioned a tad too high and scrimp on legroom. No one will accuse the UX 300h of being roomy in back. Only kids need apply when seated behind tall adults. 33.1 inches of rear legroom is 1.7 inches less than the Prius, and the headroom is pretty much equal.
Value
Although it’s hard to believe that you can buy a very well-appointed 2024 Hyundai Palisade Limited for barely more than the UX 300h Premium AWD, our tester had plenty of great features like superb regen braking, heated and ventilated seats, power-adjustable steering column, wireless phone charger, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a crisp head-up display. We would certainly trade the strange Copper Crest paint (close to farm-raised salmon) for the stunning Nori Green Pearl. Otherwise, there’s a lot to love about the UX 300h. It’s a gas-electric hybrid that doesn’t advertise its efficiency, and its front row’s comfort and smoothness of operation are pretty solid for this 6’1” driver. Were it not for the height and size of my three kids, it might have secured a spot in the Kwon driveway.
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2025 Lexus UX 300h Premium Pictures
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