Specifications of Lexus UX 200 (171 HP) D-CVT

General characteristics of Lexus UX 200 (171 HP) D-CVT

In terms of size, the Lexus UX is somewhere in the middle compared to other luxury compact and subcompact crossovers. It stands 177 inches long with a width of 72.4 inches with the side mirrors folded in. A height of 60.6 inches and a 103.9-inch wheelbase gives the UX large overhangs. You can easily spot it from the front, with that massive grille and bumper. From this, we can conclude that the UX was never intended to do any real off-road activity. The gas-only UX weighs 3,307 pounds, while the heavier hybrid models have a weight of 3,605 lbs.

With such striking lines, you want a color that emphasizes the design. Even after removing Autumn Shimmer and Silver Lining from the palette, the UX is still available in a wide variety of hues. The UX looks good in every color, except for black, which dulls its sensuous curves. The full color lineup includes Eminent White Pearl, Nebula Gray Pearl, Atomic Silver, Obsidian, Caviar, Redline, Nori Green Pearl, Cadmium Orange, Ultra White, and Ultrasonic Blue Mica 2.0. Not all trim levels are offered in all colors, but the Lexus online configurator will divert you to the right model if you desire a specific color, rather than a specific model.

Both the 200 and 250h are equipped with the same 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine. It's an advanced powertrain that employs various technologies to keep it as light as possible. The goal was frugality over performance, so the result is 169 hp and 151 lb-ft. The addition of the electric motor on the 250h takes the power up to 181 hp, but Lexus doesn't supply a torque figure for this particular engine.

Both engines are mated to what Lexus calls a 10-speed continuously variable transmission, or CVT as it's known colloquially. A CVT transmission doesn't have gears but rather mimics the effect of a gearchange to make it feel more like a traditional torque-converter automatic. In any case, customers in the market will likely not care whether it has ten gears or a hundred.

Fortunately, Toyota has more experience with CVT transmissions than most manufacturers, and the result is a CVT that's not as annoying as you might expect. It does a good job at city speeds, but it's less adept at freeway speeds. Merging and overtaking can be a daunting task, but it's a case of learning to cooperate with it, especially if you want the best fuel consumption results. To get rid of that annoying CVT drone, Lexus pumps some fake engine noise into the cabin. We're not huge fans of these systems, but we have to admit that they work well when the alternative is listening to a strained four-pot/CVT combo when travelling at top speed..

The standard 200 models are all front-wheel-drive, while the 250h models are all-wheel-drive. It's not a traditional all-wheel-drive system as we know it. There isn't a prop shaft sending power from the front-mounted engine to the rear wheels. Instead, the battery is mounted in the rear, and it powers the rear axle when needed.

The UX 200 has EPA-estimated figures of 29/37/32 mpg for city/highway/combined. That is an impressive set of numbers given its dimensions and engine size. The 250h hybrid does even better, with EPA-estimated mileage of 41/38/39 mpg. You can see the electric motor at work at slower speeds within the city, while the benefits are less pronounced on the highway. Still, it remains a remarkable achievement compared to non-electrified configurations, especially because it has 300 extra pounds to carry around. The 200 UX has a 12.4-gallon tank and an estimated range of 409 miles. The 250h has a smaller 10.6-gallon tank, but thanks to the added efficiency, it can do an estimated 413 miles.

With compact crossovers, it's always the same story. Loads of room in the front, but limited room for rear passengers. In the UX, it's more of the same. The dark interior makes it feel even more cramped than it is. The front legroom is fantastic at 42 inches, and headroom is also good. However, moving up the trim levels will see you lose a few inches of headroom in the font, which is further hampered when you spec on the available moonroof. The rear legroom is a mere 33.1 inches, while headroom is 36.3 inches. Even a less "premium" vehicle like the Kia Soul offers more space front and rear.

Thanks to a new cargo arrangement in the hybrid model, its cargo capacity has gone up from 17.1 cubic feet to 21.7 cubic feet. While still not class-leading, it is closer to the BMW X1's 27.1 cubic feet. The question is, why is only the hybrid equipped with this new adjustable cargo board? According to Lexus's website, the 200 models still have the smaller 17.1-cubic-foot trunk. The rear seats can be folded down in a 60/40 split, offering more space for odd occasions. Luxury models include a power liftgate as standard, which makes loading cargo easier. Interior storage consists of a small glovebox, slim door pockets, a center armrest storage bin, and dual front cupholders.