The Lexus UX 300e went on sale in Europe two years ago as the luxury brand’s first EV. It now gets a larger battery pack and more range—but still won’t be available in the US.
Battery pack size increased from 54.3 kWh to 72.8 kWh, while range increased from 196 miles to 280 miles with 17-inch wheels and 273 km with 18-inch wheels. All coverage figures are based on the European WLTP test cycle, so comparable EPA coverage figures will be slightly lower.
Those numbers translate to a 34% increase in battery pack size, but 40% more range — so Lexus will likely learn some lessons about electric vehicle efficiency and innovation.
Lexus UX 300e
It should also be noted that 72.8 kWh is the same power as the package for all-wheel drive versions of the Lexus RZ—The brand’s first EV for the United States. That package uses cells from the Chinese supplier CATL.
Lexus chose to wait for the launch of the RZ, which is related to the Toyota BZ4X and Subaru Solterra, rather than importing the UX 300e back to the US. The company only sells gasoline and hybrid versions of the US in this market.
The UX 300e seems to be designed primarily for the European market. Since its launch in 2020, more than half of the roughly 10,000 vehicles sold have gone to Europe, according to Lexus. The updated UX 300e will go on sale in Europe in May 2023.
Lexus UX 300e
Lexus has warranty UX 300e battery for 10 years or one million km—Which seems to be a bait for some drivers to actually put their car’s thermal and cellular systems to the test.
Regarding future EV plans, Lexus said earlier this year that a next generation EV architecture there will be an 800 volt electrical system. And back in the US, executives told Green Car Reports last year that Toyota EVs would emphasize efficiency, not range, while Lexus EVs will boost performance and range (and offers a larger battery).
