2012 Lexus Es 350 on 2040-cars

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2022 Lexus UX Review | What's new, price, hybrid mpg, pictures

Lexus was late to the premium subcompact luxury game, entering the ever-expanding segment three years ago with the UX SUV. It’s offered in two versions. The UX 200 is equipped with a gasoline-fueled 2.0-liter engine powering the front wheels only; the UX 250h is a little more powerful and fuel efficient with an added hybrid component and optional all-wheel drive. Either way, itÂ’s the smallest and least-expensive vehicle Lexus offers. As you would expect, voluminous interior space isnÂ’t a priority in this small luxury SUV segment. Still, the UX is one of the smallest entries. It also doesnÂ’t offer as much driving enjoyment as some competitors, with slow acceleration being a particular detraction regardless of powertrain. In those ways, its European competitors are handily superior. Still, the distinctive design and the hybrid systemÂ’s excellent efficiency are two major selling points, and even if we wouldn't call the UX fun, its composed handling and comfortable ride yield a perfectly pleasant driving experience. Interior & Technology   |   Passenger & Cargo Space   |   Performance & Fuel Economy What it's like to drive   |   Pricing & Features   |   Crash Ratings & Safety Features What's new for 2022? The only things new for 2022 are some colors. The plastic fenders are now offered in body color for a monochromatic look on the UX Black Series (pictured below), and two new exterior colors — Grecian Water and Cloudburst Gray — are offered.  What are the 2022 Lexus UX interior and in-car technology like? From the comfortable and supportive driver seat, the UX looks and feels like a proper Lexus. The design is consistent with, but, refreshingly, not a copy of other models. There are common details like the drive mode setting selectors that sprout from the instrument panel and the F-Sport's sliding gauge cluster within, while the available 10.25-inch infotainment display is perched atop a low, flat dash. The materials covering the dash and front doors are appropriate for this luxury price point and consistent with the ES 350, if not higher-priced Lexus models. By contrast, the hard plastic door panels in the rear are disappointingly more consistent with a Toyota Corolla. However, the UX features unique touches (we like the contrast-color dash and door trim available) and offers different controls than other Lexus models.

Calgary Airport converts handicap parking to Lexus-only stalls

At the YYC Calgary International Airport, travelers found that the usual accessible parking spots (referred to handicap or disability parking here in the U.S.) near the doors had been painted over, no longer saved for the people who need them. Instead, they were reserved for Lexus drivers as part of a marketing campaign. Understandably, the airport received a complaint after a family with access needs entered the short-parking area to find the Lexus logos painted where the accessible parking had been, as CBC News reports. The airport had sold the spaces to Lexus as a way to generate revenue as part of a marketing campaign. Even worse, YYC hadn't replaced the accessible spaces yet, though Calgary Airport Authority spokesperson Jody Moseley told CBC News the airport was in the process of moving them when it started to draw attention. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. The story ends well, however: The Calgary Airport Authority is converting the Lexus spaces back to accessible parking, and said in a statement of apology that the new accessible stalls meant to replace the original ones will also remain in place, so it's a net gain for disabled travelers. YYC also apologized to Lexus Canada, which it says "did not play a role in selecting, and was not aware of, the locations for the campaign." Lexus issued its own apology, saying it would "more carefully scrutinize the details of these types of marketing campaigns" in the future. Related Video: News Source: CBC News via JalopnikImage Credit: Geography Photos/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Government/Legal Lexus Luxury parking disabilities airport handicapped accessibility airport parking

Lexus NX Luggage Test: How much cargo space?

According to the specs, the new Lexus NX has 22.7 cubic-feet of cargo space behind its raised back seat. That is considerably less than the mechanically related Toyota RAV4 (37.5 cubic-feet) and Toyota Venza (28.8 cubic-feet). It's also less than several of its compact luxury SUV competitors. However, the shape of its cargo area, a clever cargo cover and the added versatility of under-floor storage make it one of the best cargo areas in the segment in terms of usability.  It's also important to note that there are four versions available, all with their own powertrain: the NX 250 (shown here) has a naturally aspirated four-cylinder shared with the RAV4; the NX 350h with the same hybrid powertrain as the Venza and RAV4 Hybrid; the unique turbocharged NX 350; and the NX 450h plug-in hybrid that's very similar to the RAV4 Prime. Despite these different powertrains, and the need to store the hybrids' batteries somewhere, I am told by Lexus that their cargo areas are equal. That includes the sizable under-floor storage area you'll see shortly.  Here's the cargo area. As you can see, it has a large cargo cover that's fairly distinctive. Rather than a long, large cartridge with a cover that rolls out, or a solid rigid panel, this one features a mesh fabric supported by a metal frame that folds in half. This design would make it easier to store than either of the other designs (be it inside or outside the vehicle), but Lexus goes a step further on this front. The under-floor storage area was thoughtfully designed specifically to accommodate this cargo cover. This is a rare feature in a compact SUV. It means you shouldn't have to worry about getting stuck with the cargo cover when you need every square-centimeter of space available.  There's also plenty of storage space without that cover. In fact, the main bin is big enough to swallow the Luggage Test fancy bag. Also storing the cargo cover would've been iffy, but this is nevertheless impressive. The Acura RDX is the only other compact luxury SUV to offer such a space and it makes a difference.  Now, onto the other bags. As in every luggage test I do, I use two midsize roller suitcases that would need to be checked in at the airport (26 inches long, 16 wide, 11 deep), two roll-aboard suitcases that just barely fit in the overhead (24L x 15W x 10D), and one smaller roll-aboard that fits easily (23L x 15W x 10D). I also include my wife's fancy overnight bag just to spruce things up a bit (21L x 12W x 12D).