Lexus UX 300e 2023: EQA rival gains extended 450km range along with significant updates

---

Lexus has announced a significant update for its small electric SUV, the UX 300e, that will see the electric-driven SUV gain a much longer range than before. 

The driving range from a full battery until empty is now 450km (WLTP), up from 315km from the current car, due to Lexus adding a much larger battery pack to the UX 300e.

The newly designed battery has increased from 54.4kWh battery to 72.8kWh, with peak power and torque remaining identical to before – 150kW/300Nm. 

Lexus says it has also re-tuned the shock absorbers, power steering and brakes for further performance. 

The updated 2023 Lexus UX 300e will be available in Australia sometime in 2023, with pricing to be confirmed closer to the date. Expect pricing to start at around $80,000 before on-road costs. 

New battery to bring UX 300e closer to EQA, Ioniq 5 

Lexus’ bigger battery puts it much closer to the soon-to-be updated Hyundai Ioniq 5 as well as the Mercedes-Benz EQA. 

Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 model will soon gain a 77.4kWh battery pack, however the South Korean manufacturer has managed to get slightly better range – now 507km for the rear-wheel drive Ioniq 5. Mercedes-Benz, meanwhile, sells its EQA 250 model with a 66.5kWh battery.

Power outputs are similar between the Lexus and Hyundai, with the Ioniq 5 slightly has the edge with 168kW/350Nm in single-motor guise. 

Updated tech coming to UX 300e flagship

Like the rest of the UX range, the 2023 Lexus UX 300e will also gain a larger central touchscreen that has increased to 12.3-inches (up from 10.3-inches).

Lexus says designers have restructured the instrument panel and console to accommodate a larger wireless charging pad to accommodate bigger phones, as well as for two additional USB-C ports. 

A new camera has been added to the sports luxury variant of the UX 300e to give the driver better visibility of the ground  when navigating tricky surfaces. 

Revisions have been made to the pre-collision safety system, radar cruise control, lane trace alert and curve speed control for 2023, also. 

Lexus UX 2023: prices in Australia

All prices listed are before on-road costs.

• UX200 Luxury: $46,085 
• UX200 Sports Luxury: $56,850 
• UX200 F Sport: $57,495 
• UX250h FWD Luxury + EP2: $53,820
• UX250h FWD Sports Luxury: $60,850 
• UX250h FWD F Sport: $61,495
• UX250h AWD Sports Luxury: $65,350
• UX250h AWD F Sport: $65,995 
• UX 300e: $TBA