Electrified Luxury: Driving the Lexus UX 300e

The last time I drove the Lexus UX, it was 2022 and the world was only just opening up again after the devastating effects of the pandemic. For one weekend, I had the 200 F-Sport version of the Japanese luxury car brand’s subcompact crossover, and, for what was then Lexus’ so-called “entry-level” unit, it ticked off all the boxes for me: just the right size to maneuver out of tight spots, power when you need it in the long stretches of expressways, and nifty yet easy-to-understand tech features in a solid and spacious interior.

Three years later, Lexus has updated the UX with a fully electrified version. No longer the most accessible variant in the Lexus lineup (that distinction now belongs to the LBX), the UX300e is still pretty no-nonsense and straightforward about what it is—a dependable carrier for daily commutes and the occasional weekend jaunts.

But what does driving a fully electric UX feel like?

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First, the familiar Lexus silhouette is still there: bold spindle grille, three-beam LED headlamps, and those striking L-shaped daytime running lights. It’s head-turning without being loud and obnoxious; classy and unmistakably premium.

Inside, Lexus’s philosophy of Takumi craftsmanship is present in the textures, supportive seats that balance luxury with practicality, and just enough tech to feel cutting-edge without being overwhelming. The Mark Levinson sound system has 13 speakers spread throughout the cabin, which felt spacious despite it being a crossover. The drive mode selector (Normal, Eco, and Sport) is still up on the dash just over and behind the steering wheel. Being a full EV, the cabin was eerily quiet, but Lexus engineers who worked on sound insulation for sure had something to do with it, too.

My issue with some EVs that I’ve driven recently is how they sacrifice power and acceleration for environmental awareness and sustainability. That wasn’t the case with this version of the UX. When I pressed the accelerator, the response was immediate. With 204 PS of power and 300 Nm of torque, the UX leapt forward with near-instant acceleration, no lag, no fuss. And for someone new to driving EVs, that’s pretty much all I’m looking for.

Of course, Lexus packed the UX with other features, too. There’s Dynamic Radar Cruise Control that made highway driving relaxing, Lane Trace Assist that kept me centered along the road, and the Pre-Collision System, which  gave out a warning when I was too close to the vehicle in front of me. One thing that this new version of the UX has that the old one didn’t: wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

While I kept one eye on the battery charge monitor, it turned out I didn’t need to be so stressed. Starting out with a 100-percent charge, I was able to drive from Quezon City to Nuvali, and then to Ortigas through Friday evening rush-hour traffic. On Saturday, I was able to drive it again to the south, to Carmona, Cavite, and then back to Quezon City the next day. By the time I was ready to hand the unit back to the driver from Lexus Manila, it still had about 28 percent battery charge. 

Later I would find out that the UX 300e has a 72.82 kWh lithium-ion battery offering up to 560 km of range. I did try to plug it into my regular wall socket charger at home, and it didn’t charge at all, even after being plugged in for about eight hours. The Lexus rep said it was probably because the current in my household was not enough or was not compatible with the unit. On a DC charger, the unit can achieve 80 percent charge in about 80 minutes, while it would take overnight for a full charge with AC. Thankfully, I didn’t even need to charge it for the entire weekend that I had it, despite driving it through relatively long distances.

After my weekend with the UX 300e, I was thinking the same thing as when I had the 200 version three years ago—when I’m ready for an upgrade for my daily ride, the UX is definitely at the top of my wish list.

The SRP for the Lexus UX 300e is P3.898 million.