New Lexus UX SUV gets new engines and new Direct Shift-CVT

The new Lexus UX – a compact SUV – gets its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show and will come with new engines and a new Direct Shift-CVT gearbox.

The Lexus UX was actually revealed last week ahead of its Geneva debut, but it’s now arrived on the Lexus stand in Geneva and looks to be a promising offering.

Clearly aimed at a younger demographic than the rest of the Lexus range, the UX still looks very Lexus and takes aim at cars like the new Volvo XC40 with a very Lexus take on a premium compact SUV.

The front end of the UX gets the Lexus statement grille, slim headlights and a profiled bonnet, a shoulder line running up towards the rear and a back end with a wide single bar light strip.

Inside it’s more Lexus good, with quality materials and appealing ambience, a driver-centric layout and sashiko leather upholstery. Just like the NX, the interior looks better than its price point.

Built on the GA-C global architecture platform – just like the Toyota C-HR and Prius – the UX is said to deliver the lowest centre of gravity in its class – which augers well for Dynamics and the ‘Drive’ – with Lexus promising the UX drives like a hatchback.

Under the bonnet will be a couple of new offerings, with Toyota’s new 2.0 litre hybrid with 176bhp in the UX 250h the headline hybrid unit, and the new, thermally efficient, 2.0 litre petrol engine with Toyota’s new Direct Shift CVT gearbox in the UX 200.

The new Lexus UX isn’t expected to go on sale in the UK until the end of 2018, by which time we should know what exactly will be on offer in the UK.

New Lexus UX SUV Video