The $48,070 price tag, long features list, trim options, and hybrid powertrain of the 2025 Lexus UX 300h are attractive–but there are a few things you should know before you buy.
Back in my very early 20s, I worked at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California. During race weekends, I managed the track’s social media page, took pictures of the racecars hitting the Corkscrew, and worked with a very talented team of photographers and videographers–all from the driver’s seat of a Lexus UX 300h F Sport.
Lexus was the official car of the track back then, so every manager had a branded Lexus to drive. I wasn’t a manager, but I got to drive “my” little white Lexus UX with a red interior to and from the media center, move a media member to key locations, or take myself to interview a driver or engineer. It was perfect for it–it was easy to tuck away from the main roads and out of traffic, the AWD helped me get to little-known photo spots, the mileage kept me out and about, and the cargo space was just enough for my and my passenger’s gear.
It made for a great media car. But, how did it fare as a family car? It shares a platform with the Toyota Corolla, Corolla Cross, and the C-HR, so it should be an easy choice, right? I had the chance to review one during the snowy season this year, and loved it–but there are a few things buyers should be aware of before committing to one. Here are my thoughts.
This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience, and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks.
1. It’s an Incredible Value for a Luxury, Compact, Hybrid AWD SUV
Unlike the days of old, the Lexus UX 300h can only be bought as a hybrid (hence the ‘h’ at the end) that produces 196 horsepower–an increase of 15 over the last model year from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. The base trim, the UX 300h, starts at $37,915, and maxes out at $46,380 for the UX 300h F Sport Handling. The model I reviewed, the F Sport Handling, came with the Cold Area Package and windshield de-icer, the heads-up display, a $595 premium paint color, and a wireless phone charger.
These additions pushed the MSRP to $49,545, which, for a Lexus, isn’t bad at all. Especially since the “F Sport Handling” comes with sportier styling, adaptive suspension, better handling, and active sound control (which adjusts the sound of the car’s exhaust note coming into the cabin), and tighter steering. It’s made to bring more fun into any daily drive.
The Lexus name comes with Lexus features, like an all-black leather interior (I missed the old F-Sport red interior, though), a comfortable steering wheel, seats I could spend hours in, and a lovely, responsive, and intuitive user interface. The touchscreen setup and layout are very similar to the RX 450h, so it’s familiar, beautiful, and functional. It was hard for me to believe that this small but mighty AWD hybrid SUV—even fully tricked out—was under $50,000. The HUD came especially in handy for GPS directions, reading and displaying road signs, and even showing me how fast I was going. Since it snowed during my week with it, I came to adore this feature–and I usually turn off HUDs immediately.
And then there’s, of course, the mileage. Packed with Toyota’s on-demand electronic AWD system, it’s front-wheel drive biased when no slipping is detected, which helped it achieve an average of 38.7 miles to the gallon during my review. Most of my driving was done around my hometown of Bend, Oregon. If I were on the highway, I’m certain I’d have seen close to 45 mpg. Lexus claims this would save a driver $1,250 per year on fuel and $3,250 over five years. In this economy, that’s a good bit of savings.
READ MORE: These Are The Best Plug-in Hybrid SUVs Under $44,000
2. … Did You Notice I Used the Word “Compact”?
All of those features–especially the price–make the UX 300h an attractive car. On the outside and the inside, it’s a very attractive car. It has easily visible upper and lower anchor and tether points, and installing car seats was incredibly easy. The entry point wasn’t too low, and the doors opened wide enough to let me install my daughters’ seats without too much resistance.
But the UX 300h is a lot smaller than you’d assume. Putting the seats in was easy, and then with the seats in the back, it didn’t look too cramped–and I have the Graco slim fit seats–but once my toddlers were in it, they were packed very, very tightly. My oldest is front-facing, and my youngest was rear-facing at the time, and I had to move my rear-facing tot to the passenger’s side because the back of her chair was right up against mine, and I kid you not: my knees were squished into the dashboard.
Once I moved my front-facing daughter to sit behind me, I was able to drive the car, but my poor oldest daughter had to rest her feet against the back of my chair to sit comfortably. Which was fine for her, but slightly irritating for me, as every move she made was translated directly to me.
Now, if I didn’t have kids, or maybe one child in a car seat, there’d be a lot more space for a dog, or a single passenger. If you had to pack the car full of adults, however, the driver and front passenger would have to compromise on knee room to make the rear seats more comfortable.
READ MORE: The Lexus SUV Lineup Is All New. What You Need to Know, And How To Find Your Perfect Fit
3. Cargo Space is Minimal, But Accessories Can Help
The Lexus UX 300h is the smallest car the company sells, and despite it sharing a platform with roomier Toyotas, the trunk space is quite small. I reviewed the UX 300h with my kids in the car, so I used up a lot more space than the ideal buyer might–like a younger, single person who mainly uses it to commute or pursue their dense, busy city, where parking is tough and traffic is endless. As a family woman who has two kids, the trunk was big enough for a diaper bag and a few toys, but groceries were tough to fit at the same time.
Thankfully, with roof rails, you can always make up for it with a cargo box or basket if you’re heading somewhere and need that bit of extra space. If you’re looking to avoid spending close to six figures for a smaller luxury hybrid SUV for the family, I’d advise checking out the RX 450h based on its space and overall size. But if you don’t have kids, the UX 300h is just fine.
READ MORE: 10 Reasons Why the Lexus Performance Driving School Made Me a Better Driver
4. The AWD is Plenty Capable in the Snow
When I reviewed the UX 300h, it snowed almost the entire time I had it. The man who delivered it to me drove from Vancouver, Washington, about a three-hour drive, and it included driving over the frozen Mt. Hood National Forest area. He said it handled fine, never losing traction, even though it was equipped with all-season tires. Snow Mode, he said, kept the rpms high but the speeds lower, to help optimize torque, improve stability, and adjust the throttle to help curb sudden acceleration (which helps keep you from spinning out).
I was comfortable driving the UX 300h in the snow and on ice. It was easy to control, and even though the visibility was less than I’d like, the on-demand system knew what to do and precisely when–so I never lost traction. All this is to say that the little SUV would do well in areas that see a lot of rain, a lot of dusty storms, or areas with hills to climb and corners to conquer. It also helps keep it lively and peppy, too.
READ MORE: 7 Reasons I Choose Cars with AWD or 4WD— And You Can’t Make Me Feel Bad About It
5. It’s Less Expensive Than Its Top Competitor, But a Lot Smaller, Too
Its top competitor, which is determined by the size, hybridization, and luxury pedigree, is the Volvo XC40 hybrid, which starts at $41,195. It has 20.1 cubic feet behind the second row compared to the Lexus’s 17.1 cubic feet, and a lot more horsepower at 247. The Volvo has a higher maximum price at $52,545 for the Ultra model, which is just a tad over the Lexus’s maximum price for more space and power. Otherwise, most other luxury SUVs of its size come as a PHEV, which doesn’t make for a fair comparison.
By contrast, if we want to look at the SUV it shares a platform with, the Toyota Corolla Cross hybrid, it comes in three trims, ranging from $29,945 for the base S and going up to $33,130 for the XSE hybrid. You’ll notice that the top-tier price is significantly less than the Lexus and has a lot more space. Behind the seats is 22 cubic feet of space, the windows are taller, and it has more ground clearance, so it’s easier to get in and out of, too. However, you don’t get the styling and interior upgrades with it. Since it’s Toyota, at least you’d know the hybrid AWD setup is mirrored, getting over 35 mpg combined.
READ MORE: 8 Best SUVs For Your Summer Weekend Road Trip
Overall, the Lexus UX 300h is a Great Car–Just not for Families
When I reviewed the Lexus UX 300h, one of the first people I thought of was my little sister. She lived in Yosemite Valley for years and had a 2003 Subaru Forester she paraded around in. She and her fiancé lived alone with their two cats, and occasionally drove three hours away to visit my husband and me, or our dad. She loved the size, the mileage, the AWD, and the styling.
She’d immediately be drawn to the UX 300h, because it’s similar in size, but comes with stylish upgrades, a great sound system, and incredible mileage. She’s a woman who prefers a child-free life, so she’d never have to worry about car seats in the back. As a mom, I don’t recommend it as a family hauler. But it would be fantastic as a commuter, city car, or as a daily driver for those without children. I mean, who doesn’t want to experience Lexus Luxury without going broke? The UX 300h is a great way to do that.
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