Lexus axes its most affordable EV in Australia
"The UX300e will no longer be available in Australia due to production restrictions on selected parts," a company spokesperson confirmed to CarExpert following the disappearance of the UX300e from the Lexus Australia website.
When asked whether it will reintroduce the pint-size battery-powered luxury SUV should these production restrictions end, Lexus Australia confirmed there are no plans at this stage to do so.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
"However, Lexus Australia remains committed to electrification, with close to 80 per cent of deliveries so far this year being with an electrified powertrain," said the spokesperson.
"Lexus has just introduced a plug-in hybrid option for RX [the brand's large SUV] as it continues its leadership with industry-leading hybrids, and will soon add the updated all-electric RZ [mid-size electric SUV] to its lineup."
To the end of April this year, Lexus has delivered only 28 examples of the compact UX300e, which is priced north of $80,000, compared with 614 hybrid UXs and 54 RZs.
Last year, it sold 92 UX300e vehicles, accounting for 10 per cent of total UX sales. That saw it outsold by not only the larger and more expensive RZ (215), but also direct rivals like the BMW iX1 (2618), Volvo EX30 (2129) and Mercedes-Benz EQA (1044).
Lexus Australia launched an updated UX300e late in 2023, bringing a larger 72.8kWh lithium-ion battery that boosted WLTP electric driving range by 135km to 450km.
It also received a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen running Lexus' new-generation infotainment system.
Power continued to come from a 150kW/300Nm front-mounted electric motor, with no dual-motor all-wheel drive version available, unlike key rivals.
The Lexus UX first entered production in 2018, and was initially available only with petrol or hybrid powertrains before an all-electric option was added later and the base petrol UX200 was discontinued.
It served as a more premium counterpart to the Toyota C-HR, which entered production in 20216, though it wears completely different styling inside and out.
Given Toyota has now launched a new C-HR, and revealed a small electric SUV called the C-HR+, a new-generation Lexus UX should theoretically be around the corner. However, no prototypes have been spied testing as yet.
The demise of the UX300e in Australia leaves Lexus with just one electric vehicle (EV).
That's in stark contrast with rivals, which offer multiple. BMW, for instance, has seven, while Mercedes-Benz also has seven (excluding vans and people movers), Audi has four and Genesis has three. Cadillac also has only one, but has confirmed it will release two more electric model lines for Australia in 2026.
Once the RX450h+ arrives, Lexus will have two plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models, matching Audi and surpassing both Genesis and Cadillac (none yet), as well as Mercedes-Benz (one), but falling short of BMW (four).
But the Toyota-owned premium Japanese brand has them all beat when it comes to conventional hybrids, offering eight in total.
MORE: Everything Lexus UX
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
The Lexus UX300e has reached the end of the road in Australia, where the small electric SUV has been discontinued less than two years after it received a substantial update.
"The UX300e will no longer be available in Australia due to production restrictions on selected parts," a company spokesperson confirmed to CarExpert following the disappearance of the UX300e from the Lexus Australia website.
When asked whether it will reintroduce the pint-size battery-powered luxury SUV should these production restrictions end, Lexus Australia confirmed there are no plans at this stage to do so.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
"However, Lexus Australia remains committed to electrification, with close to 80 per cent of deliveries so far this year being with an electrified powertrain," said the spokesperson.
"Lexus has just introduced a plug-in hybrid option for RX [the brand's large SUV] as it continues its leadership with industry-leading hybrids, and will soon add the updated all-electric RZ [mid-size electric SUV] to its lineup."
To the end of April this year, Lexus has delivered only 28 examples of the compact UX300e, which is priced north of $80,000, compared with 614 hybrid UXs and 54 RZs.
Last year, it sold 92 UX300e vehicles, accounting for 10 per cent of total UX sales. That saw it outsold by not only the larger and more expensive RZ (215), but also direct rivals like the BMW iX1 (2618), Volvo EX30 (2129) and Mercedes-Benz EQA (1044).
Lexus Australia launched an updated UX300e late in 2023, bringing a larger 72.8kWh lithium-ion battery that boosted WLTP electric driving range by 135km to 450km.
It also received a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen running Lexus' new-generation infotainment system.
Power continued to come from a 150kW/300Nm front-mounted electric motor, with no dual-motor all-wheel drive version available, unlike key rivals.
The Lexus UX first entered production in 2018, and was initially available only with petrol or hybrid powertrains before an all-electric option was added later and the base petrol UX200 was discontinued.
It served as a more premium counterpart to the Toyota C-HR, which entered production in 20216, though it wears completely different styling inside and out.
Given Toyota has now launched a new C-HR, and revealed a small electric SUV called the C-HR+, a new-generation Lexus UX should theoretically be around the corner. However, no prototypes have been spied testing as yet.
The demise of the UX300e in Australia leaves Lexus with just one electric vehicle (EV).
That's in stark contrast with rivals, which offer multiple. BMW, for instance, has seven, while Mercedes-Benz also has seven (excluding vans and people movers), Audi has four and Genesis has three. Cadillac also has only one, but has confirmed it will release two more electric model lines for Australia in 2026.
Once the RX450h+ arrives, Lexus will have two plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models, matching Audi and surpassing both Genesis and Cadillac (none yet), as well as Mercedes-Benz (one), but falling short of BMW (four).
But the Toyota-owned premium Japanese brand has them all beat when it comes to conventional hybrids, offering eight in total.
MORE: Everything Lexus UX
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
The Lexus UX300e has reached the end of the road in Australia, where the small electric SUV has been discontinued less than two years after it received a substantial update.
"The UX300e will no longer be available in Australia due to production restrictions on selected parts," a company spokesperson confirmed to CarExpert following the disappearance of the UX300e from the Lexus Australia website.
When asked whether it will reintroduce the pint-size battery-powered luxury SUV should these production restrictions end, Lexus Australia confirmed there are no plans at this stage to do so.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
"However, Lexus Australia remains committed to electrification, with close to 80 per cent of deliveries so far this year being with an electrified powertrain," said the spokesperson.
"Lexus has just introduced a plug-in hybrid option for RX [the brand's large SUV] as it continues its leadership with industry-leading hybrids, and will soon add the updated all-electric RZ [mid-size electric SUV] to its lineup."
To the end of April this year, Lexus has delivered only 28 examples of the compact UX300e, which is priced north of $80,000, compared with 614 hybrid UXs and 54 RZs.
Last year, it sold 92 UX300e vehicles, accounting for 10 per cent of total UX sales. That saw it outsold by not only the larger and more expensive RZ (215), but also direct rivals like the BMW iX1 (2618), Volvo EX30 (2129) and Mercedes-Benz EQA (1044).
Lexus Australia launched an updated UX300e late in 2023, bringing a larger 72.8kWh lithium-ion battery that boosted WLTP electric driving range by 135km to 450km.
It also received a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen running Lexus' new-generation infotainment system.
Power continued to come from a 150kW/300Nm front-mounted electric motor, with no dual-motor all-wheel drive version available, unlike key rivals.
The Lexus UX first entered production in 2018, and was initially available only with petrol or hybrid powertrains before an all-electric option was added later and the base petrol UX200 was discontinued.
It served as a more premium counterpart to the Toyota C-HR, which entered production in 20216, though it wears completely different styling inside and out.
Given Toyota has now launched a new C-HR, and revealed a small electric SUV called the C-HR+, a new-generation Lexus UX should theoretically be around the corner. However, no prototypes have been spied testing as yet.
The demise of the UX300e in Australia leaves Lexus with just one electric vehicle (EV).
That's in stark contrast with rivals, which offer multiple. BMW, for instance, has seven, while Mercedes-Benz also has seven (excluding vans and people movers), Audi has four and Genesis has three. Cadillac also has only one, but has confirmed it will release two more electric model lines for Australia in 2026.
Once the RX450h+ arrives, Lexus will have two plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models, matching Audi and surpassing both Genesis and Cadillac (none yet), as well as Mercedes-Benz (one), but falling short of BMW (four).
But the Toyota-owned premium Japanese brand has them all beat when it comes to conventional hybrids, offering eight in total.
MORE: Everything Lexus UX
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
The Lexus UX300e has reached the end of the road in Australia, where the small electric SUV has been discontinued less than two years after it received a substantial update.
"The UX300e will no longer be available in Australia due to production restrictions on selected parts," a company spokesperson confirmed to CarExpert following the disappearance of the UX300e from the Lexus Australia website.
When asked whether it will reintroduce the pint-size battery-powered luxury SUV should these production restrictions end, Lexus Australia confirmed there are no plans at this stage to do so.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
"However, Lexus Australia remains committed to electrification, with close to 80 per cent of deliveries so far this year being with an electrified powertrain," said the spokesperson.
"Lexus has just introduced a plug-in hybrid option for RX [the brand's large SUV] as it continues its leadership with industry-leading hybrids, and will soon add the updated all-electric RZ [mid-size electric SUV] to its lineup."
To the end of April this year, Lexus has delivered only 28 examples of the compact UX300e, which is priced north of $80,000, compared with 614 hybrid UXs and 54 RZs.
Last year, it sold 92 UX300e vehicles, accounting for 10 per cent of total UX sales. That saw it outsold by not only the larger and more expensive RZ (215), but also direct rivals like the BMW iX1 (2618), Volvo EX30 (2129) and Mercedes-Benz EQA (1044).
Lexus Australia launched an updated UX300e late in 2023, bringing a larger 72.8kWh lithium-ion battery that boosted WLTP electric driving range by 135km to 450km.
It also received a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen running Lexus' new-generation infotainment system.
Power continued to come from a 150kW/300Nm front-mounted electric motor, with no dual-motor all-wheel drive version available, unlike key rivals.
The Lexus UX first entered production in 2018, and was initially available only with petrol or hybrid powertrains before an all-electric option was added later and the base petrol UX200 was discontinued.
It served as a more premium counterpart to the Toyota C-HR, which entered production in 20216, though it wears completely different styling inside and out.
Given Toyota has now launched a new C-HR, and revealed a small electric SUV called the C-HR+, a new-generation Lexus UX should theoretically be around the corner. However, no prototypes have been spied testing as yet.
The demise of the UX300e in Australia leaves Lexus with just one electric vehicle (EV).
That's in stark contrast with rivals, which offer multiple. BMW, for instance, has seven, while Mercedes-Benz also has seven (excluding vans and people movers), Audi has four and Genesis has three. Cadillac also has only one, but has confirmed it will release two more electric model lines for Australia in 2026.
Once the RX450h+ arrives, Lexus will have two plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models, matching Audi and surpassing both Genesis and Cadillac (none yet), as well as Mercedes-Benz (one), but falling short of BMW (four).
But the Toyota-owned premium Japanese brand has them all beat when it comes to conventional hybrids, offering eight in total.
MORE: Everything Lexus UX
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
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"You now also have the benefit of either hybrid or petrol powertrains, which means there should be something in the range to suit all budgets and lifestyles." MORE: Explore the Hyundai Santa Fe showroom Content originally sourced from: The design of the fifth-generationHyundai Santa Fe might be polarising and it's certainly distinctive, but it's not the reason we named it Australia's best affordable large SUV in the inaugural 2025 CarExpert Choice Awards. Inside its boxy exterior there's a refined, high-quality and high-tech three-row interior that's just as unique and sets a new standard for a mainstream large SUV in terms of presentation and accommodation. Compared to its Kia Sorento sister model, which is still good enough to be a finalist in this segment (the five-seat Subaru Outback is our other finalist for this award) even if the fourth generation is now five years old, the Santa Fe offers better second- and third-row space and amenity. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The latest Santa Fe also provides great outward visibility from all seats, a larger cargo area accessed via a lower loading lip, and outstanding ride comfort without compromising its exemplary dynamics (for a large SUV). There's also a long list of standard safety and multimedia technology even from base level, with the cheapest front-wheel drive variant powered by a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and fitted with everything a growing family would need for $53,000 before on-road costs. In all there are eight variants, three equipment grades and two powertrain options including an efficient 1.6-litre hybrid that's also available in front- and all-wheel drive form. And the flagship Calligraphy AWD hybrid, which tops the range at $76,500 in seven-seat form and $77,000 in six-seat guise with a pair of second-row captain's chairs (both plus on-roads), not only looks and feels more like a Range Rover inside its luxurious cabin but also comes with all of Hyundai's premium features, including huge and responsive infotainment and instrument cluster screens, a head-up display, and twin wireless phone chargers. There's also cavernous storage capacity including two glove boxes, a huge twin-hinged lidded centre console box that can be accessed from the front and rear, and no fewer than 16 cupholders! The Santa Fe is no ladder-frame rock-hopper (which is why we have a separate award for best off-road SUVs like the Ford Everest and Toyota Prado), but also making it an excellent large SUV for adventurous families are XRT option packages that give it a decent boost in all-terrain capability. All this is backed by attractive aftersales propositions including relatively low running and service costs, and a generous warranty. "Look, you're either going to love or hate the styling. But even if you hate it, consider just how practical that boxy body makes the Santa Fe," said CarExpert news editor William Stopford. "The old Santa Fe was already such a good thing, I was wondering how Hyundai could improve on it. Well, they have – this is a terrifically packaged, well-appointed crossover SUV loaded with tech, featuring competitive petrol and hybrid powertrains, and wrapped in distinctive styling." CarExpert marketplace editor James Wong agreed. "The trusty Santa Fe went through a massive metamorphosis in this latest generation, and while its looks are polarising its excellent packaging and luxurious level of features and tech are outstanding," he said. "There's the option of both a generally efficient hybrid or a torquey turbo-petrol drivetrain, and the Santa Fe offers heaps of configurations and personalisation options for discerning Australian families that want to stand out without breaking the bank." CarExpert journalist Max Davies said: "The quirky-looking Santa Fe remains a reliable option in Australia's large SUV market, offering a broad range of standard equipment, sturdy build quality, and a compliant ride at affordable prices. "You now also have the benefit of either hybrid or petrol powertrains, which means there should be something in the range to suit all budgets and lifestyles." MORE: Explore the Hyundai Santa Fe showroom Content originally sourced from: The design of the fifth-generationHyundai Santa Fe might be polarising and it's certainly distinctive, but it's not the reason we named it Australia's best affordable large SUV in the inaugural 2025 CarExpert Choice Awards. Inside its boxy exterior there's a refined, high-quality and high-tech three-row interior that's just as unique and sets a new standard for a mainstream large SUV in terms of presentation and accommodation. Compared to its Kia Sorento sister model, which is still good enough to be a finalist in this segment (the five-seat Subaru Outback is our other finalist for this award) even if the fourth generation is now five years old, the Santa Fe offers better second- and third-row space and amenity. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The latest Santa Fe also provides great outward visibility from all seats, a larger cargo area accessed via a lower loading lip, and outstanding ride comfort without compromising its exemplary dynamics (for a large SUV). There's also a long list of standard safety and multimedia technology even from base level, with the cheapest front-wheel drive variant powered by a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and fitted with everything a growing family would need for $53,000 before on-road costs. In all there are eight variants, three equipment grades and two powertrain options including an efficient 1.6-litre hybrid that's also available in front- and all-wheel drive form. And the flagship Calligraphy AWD hybrid, which tops the range at $76,500 in seven-seat form and $77,000 in six-seat guise with a pair of second-row captain's chairs (both plus on-roads), not only looks and feels more like a Range Rover inside its luxurious cabin but also comes with all of Hyundai's premium features, including huge and responsive infotainment and instrument cluster screens, a head-up display, and twin wireless phone chargers. There's also cavernous storage capacity including two glove boxes, a huge twin-hinged lidded centre console box that can be accessed from the front and rear, and no fewer than 16 cupholders! The Santa Fe is no ladder-frame rock-hopper (which is why we have a separate award for best off-road SUVs like the Ford Everest and Toyota Prado), but also making it an excellent large SUV for adventurous families are XRT option packages that give it a decent boost in all-terrain capability. All this is backed by attractive aftersales propositions including relatively low running and service costs, and a generous warranty. "Look, you're either going to love or hate the styling. But even if you hate it, consider just how practical that boxy body makes the Santa Fe," said CarExpert news editor William Stopford. "The old Santa Fe was already such a good thing, I was wondering how Hyundai could improve on it. Well, they have – this is a terrifically packaged, well-appointed crossover SUV loaded with tech, featuring competitive petrol and hybrid powertrains, and wrapped in distinctive styling." CarExpert marketplace editor James Wong agreed. "The trusty Santa Fe went through a massive metamorphosis in this latest generation, and while its looks are polarising its excellent packaging and luxurious level of features and tech are outstanding," he said. "There's the option of both a generally efficient hybrid or a torquey turbo-petrol drivetrain, and the Santa Fe offers heaps of configurations and personalisation options for discerning Australian families that want to stand out without breaking the bank." CarExpert journalist Max Davies said: "The quirky-looking Santa Fe remains a reliable option in Australia's large SUV market, offering a broad range of standard equipment, sturdy build quality, and a compliant ride at affordable prices. "You now also have the benefit of either hybrid or petrol powertrains, which means there should be something in the range to suit all budgets and lifestyles." MORE: Explore the Hyundai Santa Fe showroom Content originally sourced from:
News.com.au
2 days ago
- News.com.au
Lexus RX 450h+ plug-in hybrid review finds a serene and thrifty luxe SUV
Toyota and Lexus can lay claim to being the pioneers of hybrid technology. Remember when the Toyota Prius was blazing its own trail and even Hollywood A-listers were making a green statement by having one in the driveway? Hybrid popularity has exploded in recent years, especially post-Covid. More than 70 per cent of Lexus vehicles sold here have hybrid technology beneath the skin, and by 2030 the brand forecasts its entire Australian fleet will be full electric, hybrid or plug-in hybrids. Which explains the arrival of a new iteration of the RX, the large Lexus SUV, which has been pivotal over the past 20 years in luring luxury buyers away from the big German brands. The RX 450h+ is a plug-in hybrid, which can run on pure electric power for about 65km but then also has the backup of a petrol engine with a 55L tank. Priced from about $135k in your driveway, the new offering sits between two hybrid siblings – the base 350h at $105,300 and the turbocharged 500h F Performance that remains atop the RX heap at $142,670. The plug-in hybrid realm is rapidly moving, while the nation's top three overall vehicles sellers last month were the Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux and Isuzu D-Max, coming in fourth was the BYD Shark 6, which is indeed a plug-in hybrid with an electric range of about 80km. Having recently driven the Haval H6 GT PHEV and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, the RX 450h+ is more likely to be shopped against the BMW X5 xDrive50e that has a range of about 100km ($170,500 drive-away) or the Volvo XC90 Recharge which is good for 77km ($148,320 drive-away). What do you get? Lexus typically excels in the standard features realm and the RX is no exception. Riding on 21-inch alloys, the cabin feels and looks high-end with curved surfaces and leather trim. The plug-in hybrid is only available in Sports Luxury specification, which includes an electric boot door with kick sensor, 14-inch central touchscreen, wireless phone charger, 21-speaker stereo system, panoramic sunroof, as well as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Ample room is available in the back for adults, with other luxuries including three-zone aircon, heated and ventilated front and rear outboard seats, heated steering wheel, sunshades in rear doors, along with power reclining and folding back seats. The seats can also be dropped via buttons in the boot – brilliant when loading sporting equipment or awkward-size items. Colour options include white, black, titanium, grey, silver, red, copper, khaki and blue. Six interior combinations to choose from, with browns combining with bamboo and black shades, plus white with bamboo or black. Charging takes about 7.5 hours to completely replenish using a standard home power point and a 10-amp charger that comes with the car, or 2.5 hours using a 32 amp public charging system. Capped price servicing is available for the first five, costing $695 each. Lexus buyers are also given access to the Encore program, which entitles members to a variety of special events, as well as free loan cars during servicing and when travelling interstate. How was the drive? Shifting between electric and petrol power is done seamlessly, similar to what we've experienced with all Lexus hybrids. The key differential with the plug-in version is the ability to lock the RX into pure electric drive and our test saw it travel 55km before the engine needed to supplement the power. Typically Lexus-silent in operation, there is a gentle hum when the four-cylinder engine kicks into gear yet remains serene in just about all circumstances. Despite its electric power the SUV isn't remarkably quick, with a respectable 0-100kmh time of 6.5 seconds. Cornering is best undertaken with conservatism to avoid body roll, but the RX has always been a vehicle of luxury and comfort – and the plug-in version doesn't deviate from the remit. Those wanting extra punch and cornering ability would need to look at the F Performance derivative. Buyers of the plug-in are no doubt chasing efficiency and that is best achieved by replenishing the battery. Many people aren't travelling more than 60km a day in their commute so using electric power primarily is conceivable. The petrol engine does push power back into the battery while the electric motors can also chime in for extra acceleration prowess. With a full battery you could get close to achieving the official fuel consumption figure of 1.3L/100km, but after depleting its reserves we saw 6.1L/100km on one highway journey. That's still pretty thrifty for a big SUV. The plug-in does have the smallest fuel tank of the RX range at 55L, but the battery ensures it's the heaviest of the four-model line-up at 2200kg. Would you buy one? Kel: While I loved the quiet and serene ride, I felt like it was an old man's car. That's being stereotypical, but it was sensible and luxurious without much excitement factor. The luxury plug-in hybrid space isn't super-popular yet, and I would probably side with a full electric model for some extra pizzazz. Grant: The RX 450h+ does what it says on the tin. Buyers wanting an efficient SUV and don't undertake long daily travels will love the thrifty operating costs. Lexus has an excellent reputation for longevity and reliability so it's a safe option for those shopping for a luxurious plug-in.
