Lexus UX: perfect gateway to the Lexus brand experience

By Botchi Santos Philippine Daily Inquirer November 28,2018

The all-new Lexus UX subcompact crossover has been officially launched in the Philippine market.

Based on Toyota’s latest Global Architecture-Compact platform (GA-C), it shares its basic underpinnings with the Toyota Prius, CH-R, Corolla, Auris, Levin, and now the UX.

This is part of Toyota’s all-new modular, scaleable and shareable platform system aimed at reducing cost, increasing economies of scale, reducing R&D, and ultimately allowing the brand to focus on better engineering and safety solutions on a smaller number of basic platforms to provide a better, more efficient, and more highly versatile lineup of vehicles.

The design is inspired by the Japanese engawa philosophy that eliminates traditional boundaries.

In the Lexus UX’s case, it is meant to allow the organic free flow of the interior to the exterior, thus providing occupants a feeling of airy luxury as they still feel connected to the outside world.

There’s excellent visibility out of the UX, and there’s a distinct gap between the side mirrors and the A-pillar, which gives more visibility around the vehicle’s immediate vicinity.

The inside offers a traditiional Japanese touch, from the driver’s side to the front passenger’s side.

The inside offers a traditiional Japanese touch, from the driver’s side to the front passenger’s side.

There are also interesting design cues that are engineering world-firsts: the wheels on 17-inch models not only help cool the brakes, but their design helps minimize air resistance/turbulence, which improves NVH and fuel efficiency.

The rear combination lamps, dubbed aero stabilizing brake lamps, use 120 individual LEDs, and also help eliminate vortices forming behind the vehicle, allowing for smooth airflow, which also further improves NVH and fuel efficiency.

Additionally, vehicle stability is improved at high-speed cornering and driving/maneuvering through crosswinds.

The sole powertrain for the local market UX is a 2.0-liter twin-cam 16-valve 4-cylinder engine delivering 168 hp and 205 Newton meters of torque exclusively to the front wheels via a direct-shift continuously variable transmission.

This helps deliver impressive fuel efficiency and low emissions while still providing a connected, responsive shift-feel for sporty driving.

The front suspension utilizes a MacPherson-strut design, while the rear utilizes a trailing multi-link wishbone design for improved agility and comfort.

UX F Sport models receive Lexus’ highly vaunted adaptive variable suspension (AVS) to provide better body/suspension control and steering responsiveness without sacrificing Lexus’ equally legendary cosseting ride comfort and compliance.

Inside, Lexus offers a distinctly traditional Japanese touch. Interior trim inspired by Japanese washi paper is available and covers the expanse from the driver’s side to the front passenger side.

Slightly higher seating give drivers a more expansive and commanding view of the orad ahead.

Slightly higher seating give drivers a more expansive and commanding view of the orad ahead.

Eight interior trim colors matched with 13 exterior colors means the Lexus UX appeals to a very wide spectrum of buyers, depending on how the vehicle is appointed.

Riding position is even more car-like, giving drivers greater ease and comfort, with the added benefit of sitting slightly higher, allowing for a more expansive and commanding view of the road ahead.

Aero stabilizing brake lamps use 120 individual LEDs.

Aero stabilizing brake lamps use 120 individual LEDs.

And thanks to its compact size, the Lexus UX offers a miniscule 5.2-meter turning radius, making it the perfect urban adventurer.

According to Lexus UX deputy chief engineer Mitsuteru Emoto, “We used Kansei engineering, which translates the guest’s emotions into product design, to create a strong personal connection with the driver.”

Indeed, the Lexus brand, particularly through the UX crossover, has never been more attractive to a new generation of young, youthful buyers with very active lifestyles seeking something exciting, something different, and something unique in an environmentally conscious society.

Prices start P2.478 million, and up to P3.048 million for the F-Sport variants.

Detail of the front head lights

Detail of the front head lights

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