The Compact Crossover for a Refined Luxury Driver: The All-New 2019 Lexus UX

• Compelling “Creative Urban Explorer” design
• Available as gasoline UX 200 and hybrid UX 250h with AWD
• Exceptional body rigidity and low center of gravity for sport-hatch agility
• All UX models come standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0
• UX 200 starting at $32,000* MSRP; UX 250h Hybrid just $2,000+

The Compact Crossover for a Refined Luxury Driver: The All-New 2019 Lexus UX | Toyota USA Newsroom



Some points of interest:

• Unique Aero Stabilizing Blade Lights begin at the top of the rear fenders and span the rear of the vehicle. By guiding airflow around the rear of the UX, this design also reduces turbulence and lift, benefiting vehicle stability when cornering and driving in crosswinds
• The leather-trimmed three-spoke steering wheel and analog clock come from the Lexus LS, for example, and Lexus Climate Concierge, as used in other Lexus models, automatically links heating and cooling airflow with the heated and ventilated seats to optimize interior temperature comfort
• The Lexus Remote Touch Interface (RTI) with haptic feedback in the 2019 UX is designed to feel as familiar to use as a smartphone. The RTI utilizes intuitive operations, such as double-tapping and flicking, to mimic common phone gestures. Frameless construction eliminates edges, and a special coating on the touch pad surface lets fingers easily slide over it while minimizing the appearance of fingerprints. The touchpad can recognize numbers and block letters when typing a search name. Touchpad surface haptic vibrations indicate to the user when the cursor is moved, making it easier to align the cursor with the desired function button.
• Luxury-grade models feature illuminated vent controls with distinctive LED light sources wirelessly powered by electromagnetic resonance of two adjacent magnetic coils vibrating at the same frequency. The vent control LEDs use mirror optics in the same design principle as the Lexus LC’s tail lamps to create the effect of deep floating light sources, even though the light element is just 1/8-inch thick.
• all UXs drivers will be able to lock/unlock their doors, start their engine, or check their fuel level, all from the convenience of their smartwatch, Amazon Alexa-enabled, or Google Assistant enabled device. It’s voice controllable too, and compatible with select Android or Apple devices.
• The UX 250h model offers all-wheel drive (AWD) using a separate, dedicated electric motor-generator with 7hp output integrated into the rear differential.
• [The UX250h's] AWD does more than assist traction in slippery conditions; the system can actively improve stability by adjusting rear-wheel power to help correct an over- or understeer condition.
• The UX 250h debuts Predictive Eco Drive Control, a world-first system that, coupling with the navigation system, learns driving habits, predicts the expected roadway ahead and analyzes real-time traffic reports to optimize charging and discharging of the hybrid battery. The more miles the UX 250h is driven, the more data is gathered to help optimize fuel consumption (Technology from the Prius Prime)
• Also operational with navigation, Predictive Deceleration Support technology uses accumulated knowledge about a driver’s behavior to predict when and where the vehicle is likely to slow down or stop. (From the Prius Prime)
• Predictive State of Charge (SOC) control for the hybrid battery is a world-first technology that functions on both downhill roads and in congested traffic. Operating when the UX is following guidance from the navigation system, it will predict the route for a distance of up to 6 miles ahead to optimize the conditions under which it can regenerate energy, earning power for future driving.

 

Photo source: 2019 Lexus UX250h First Drive: NXing The CT

 

That's what I've been telling people who wanted an E-Four Prius. On paper, it's very similar. The Prius E-Four has a 5.5kW rear motor (7.4hp). It's definitely a light-duty AWD system which is fine since that's what these vehicles will be used for.

This is based on the same TNGA architecture as the CH-R (GA-C). Passenger space is decent and the rear door doesn't have that claustrophobic rise towards the rear, thus it has a much airier rear cabin than the CH-R. Cargo space appears to be below average. Good for around town and maybe a weekend getaway. Any more than that, and you'll need a roofbox or a small trailer.