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Toyota's hydrogen fuel cell Mirai isn't good enough to be a Lexus

It looks like the first hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle from Lexus will be faster than previously advertised, but it will get to the market slower than expected. It's all part of the paradox involved with Toyota looking to broaden its fuel-cell technology beyond the Mirai. Either way, the first Lexus fuel-cell vehicle is slated to start sales by the end of the decade, said Auto Express, citing comments from Alain Uyttenhoven, head of Lexus Europe. Uyttenhoven noted that it'd take an SUV to provide enough space to accommodate the packaging for the Lexus fuel cell powertrain. That comment may imply that the hydrogen-fueled powertrain from Lexus will offer similar performance to that of the Lexus RX450h hybrid SUV. That model delivers 300 horsepower and boasts a 0 to 60 mile-per-hour time of about seven seconds. Such a mill would be a departure from what we'd previously reported on Toyota's plans to expand its fuel-cell technology to its Lexus luxury badge. With Toyota believed to be planning to unveil as many as three fuel-cell models in time for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, the Japanese automaker said early last year that it may have a Lexus fuel-cell vehicle available as soon as 2017, while reports suggesting the model would be a Lexus LS-based sedan. Additionally, the Mirai's fuel-cell powertrain had been believed to be the platform for the proposed Lexus fuel cell from the moment that model started sales in California last year. Apparently, though, the Mirai's 152-horsepower powertrain, coupled with a full-tank range that would be about 20 percent less than the 300-mile Mirai, isn't up to snuff for Lexus duty. Related Video: News Source: Auto Express via Hybrid CarsImage Credit: Jonathon Ramsey / AOL Green Lexus Toyota Hydrogen Cars mirai

J.D. Power: Mini, Lexus again offer most satisfying sales experience

JD Power has released its annual Sales Satisfaction Index Study, and once again Mini and Lexus have taken top honors. Overall, buyers are more satisfied with the auto-buying sales experience than they were last year, with those surveyed reporting an average score of 664 points on a 1,000-point scale. That's up from 648 in 2011. Dealer satisfaction also increased by five points over last year as well.
All told, Lexus brought home an index score of 737, which was high enough to put it atop the luxury brands for the second year in a row. JD Power says Infiniti came in second in that category with a score of 728 and Cadillac rounded out the podium with it's rating of 725. Speaking of Infiniti, that brand saw the single largest jump in sales satisfaction of any brand on the survey, popping up 52 index points over 2011.
Among mass-market brands, Mini ranked highest with a score of 712, followed closely by Buick with 706 and GMC farther down the line with 683. You can check out the full press release below for more information.

2023 Lexus UX goes hybrid-only, gets new UXh name

Lexus is making a series of updates to the UX, its entry-level crossover, for the 2023 model year. Now only offered with a hybrid powertrain, the soft-roader receives a better infotainment system, updated steering and suspension systems and more capable safety features. Shifting to a hybrid-only line-up brings a new name: UXh. That's not the only change you'll spot if you open (or download) a brochure. Buyers can select a pair of option packages called F Sport Design and F Sport Handling, respectively. The former focuses largely on appearance and equipment. It adds F Sport wheels, a specific grille, painted wheel arch flares, dark roof rails, a black roof panel, a moonroof, rain-sensing wipers, fog lights, cornering lights and self-leveling headlights. Inside, the list of F Sport-specific parts includes the front sport seats, steering wheel, gear selector, instrument cluster and pedals. The latter goes a step further with performance-tuned dampers, an Active Variable Suspension system and a brace to the steering gear. We're told that these changes noticeably improve the UXh's handling. Even if you choose not to tick either box, the 2023 UXh should drive better and quieter than the 2022 UX. Lexus notes that it recalibrated the steering and suspension systems and, interestingly, added 20 spot welds to the body in order to improve structural rigidity. Inside, the most significant changes for 2023 are infotainment-related. The UXh gets the Lexus Interface infotainment system already found in some of the other models in the range, like the NX. It's displayed on an eight-inch touchscreen (a 12.3-inch unit is optional) with anti-glare technology, and it brings with it a redesigned center console with a bigger wireless device charger and a pair of USB charging ports. For 2023, every UXh regardless of trim level comes standard with the Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 suite of driving aids. This bundle includes a pre-collision system, emergency steering assist, lane-tracing assist and adaptive cruise control. Lexus notes that the pre-collision system's response range has been expanded with better hardware and that artificial intelligence helped it improve the lane-tracing assist function. Lexus dealers across the nation will begin receiving the 2023 UXh in late summer 2022. Pricing information hasn't been announced yet. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Lexus UX Luggage Test