Going the extra mile gives an accomplished drive

THIS week’s drive, the Lexus UX300h, proves that if a carmaker is prepared to go the extra mile in car production, then the result can prove very satisfying.

Sure, you may pay more for a Lexus, yet every time I drive a car under the banner of this luxury brand, I enjoy a quality drive.

I think this is doubly important today, where you could argue that cars — though still generally produced to a high standard — become themselves victims of cost-cutting.

But I would also argue that in 2025, with so many millions of cars on the road, quality is paramount — in terms of comfort, performance, reliability and safety.

That last factor has always concerned me when buying a new car because with many more vehicles around the chance of being involved in a road accident increases dramatically.

Lexus is the luxury arm of car giant Toyota, and the original concept of the Lexus brand was to make a world-beater in its class.

In 1983, Toyota chairman Eiji Toyoda issued a challenge to build the world’s best car. The car that emerged was the Lexus LS 400, which expanded Toyota’s product line in the premium segment. Today, Lexus is ranked among the 10 largest Japanese global brands in market value. And in 2025 driving the Lexus UX300h you can see why.

Highlights for this car are the new, self-charging hybrid UX300h, which replaces the UX250h, with greater total power output and faster acceleration for a hybrid model.

The rear electric motor for e-Four all-wheel drive system is
5.6 times more powerful, and AWD driving dynamics are enhanced by “optimised front/rear torque distribution and more rigid body”.

A large 12.3in digital instrument display is now available, and an extended bi-tone colour scheme is available for F SPORT and F SPORT Design models. The Lexus Safety System + comes with more functions.

That’s it in a nutshell, but the advantages of this car I found were what I alluded to in the first paragraph of this column. If you are prepared to pay that bit more for a luxury version of a “smaller” car — smaller in the sense that once upon a time so-called luxury, prestige cars had for some reason to be physically big — then the resulting drive, as with the UX300h, can be very satisfying. On a trip that included stretches of motorway, chronic traffic queues (getting through the city of Bath always involves crawling through heavy traffic) and quick, country lanes, the UX300h surpassed itself.

My passenger and I were never uncomfortable in this car and arrived (for a wedding, so we needed to appear fresh) in good shape.

The interior of the UX300h quietly exudes comfort, without making a song and dance about it, like most so-called luxury cars.

Sure, there was an air of functionality but this was never overbearing as it is in so many modern cars today.

In the cockpit, a new 12.3in fully digital multi-information display is optionally available.

This digital cockpit can be customised both in terms of look and feel and type of information delivered.

Its appearance changes according to the selected drive mode and its layout can be customised to suit the driver’s personal preferences. The 8in multimedia touchscreen has also been updated.

UX buyers can now also choose a new interior colour, Ammonite Sand, and a leather-free interior pack with fabric or synthetic leather seats, and with synthetic leather for the heated steering wheel and shift knob. The steering wheel is updated to integrate a Driver Monitor camera. This constantly checks for driver alertness and recognises if the driver has lost concentration through tiredness or being unwell.

If the driver fails to respond to alerts, the monitor initiates Driver Emergency Stop, bringing the vehicle to a controlled halt and activating the hazard lights.

Two more features are added to the latest iteration of Lexus Safety System +. Proactive Driving Assist uses the car’s front camera to spot hazards at lower speeds around town, such as pedestrians about to cross or walking along the edge of the road, parked cars and cyclists.

Automatic Rear Flashing Hazard Lights operate at high speed if there is collision-risk from a following vehicle.

And another additional feature, Safe Exit Assist, helps prevent collisions between vehicles approaching from the rear when a door is opened.

All in all, the new Lexus UX300h presents an accomplished drive even for veteran motorists such as myself, who might be forgiven for feeling a tad jaded with the overwhelming plasticity of some new, modern cars.

Lexus UX300h price ranges from £35,245.