2024 Lexus UX update revealed, Australian timing unclear

The 2024 Lexus UX small SUV has debuted overseas with an updated hybrid system.

Due to launch in North America early next year, the UX receives the 'fifth-generation' hybrid system from the related Toyota Corolla Cross, with a new UX300h badge to replace the UX250h.

Retaining the current 2.0-litre non-turbo four-cylinder and electric motor, total system power for the UX300h is up from 131kW to 146kW with a “new hybrid transaxle” and a lighter lithium-ion battery pack replacing nickel-metal hydride to provide “more responsive performance”.

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Other changes include a larger 12.3-inch full-digital instrument cluster – up from 8 inches – a shift-by-wire gear shifter, a new copper crest exterior colour, and revised door panel switches.

It also adds an updated active safety suite with “risk avoidance” emergency steering assist, daytime left-turn oncoming vehicle braking, and proactive driving assist to “support driving tasks such as distance control between the vehicle and a preceding vehicle, pedestrian or bicyclist”.

While the US-market UX line-up is limited to the hybrid UX300h, it is also offered in petrol-only UX200 and all-electric UX300e forms in Australia.

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A Lexus Australia spokesperson said the brand could not comment on the updated UX “at this time”, adding that “different markets have different product cycles”.

VFACTS new-car sales data reveals 2245 units of the Lexus UX have been sold in Australia to the end of November, compared to 4269 BMW X1s, 4254 Audi Q3s, and 2713 examples of the Mercedes-Benz GLA and EQA twins.

The last update for the Lexus UX launched in Australia in mid-2022 with a new infotainment system, wireless smartphone mirroring, Lexus Connected Services, an improved stop-start system for the petrol model, and improved rigidity for F Sport variants.