The Lexus UX300e electric SUV is set to gain a larger battery next year, increasing driving range by approximately 40 per cent.
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The 2023 Lexus UX300e small electric SUV is due to receive an update in Australia next year, with a larger battery giving a 40 per cent boost in driving range.
Following updates to the standard UX petrol and hybrid range, Lexus has refreshed its smallest electric car with new technology, updated safety, a sharper chassis and a significant mechanical upgrade.
The current model’s 54.4kWh battery pack has been upgraded to a 72.8kWh unit, now capable of 450km of driving range in European WLTP testing – a 40 per cent increase over the current car’s 315km claim.
The existing 150kW/300Nm electric motor on the front axle has been retained, which in the 2022 model is capable of a 0-100km/h sprint in 7.5 seconds.
Despite the new battery, support for the CHAdeMO charging standard has also been carried over – a plug common to Japanese electric cars, but rarely fitted to European or South Korean electric vehicles, which opt for the more prevalent CCS standard.
The current Lexus UX300e can only achieve a maximum charging speed of 50kW – which compares to the circa-250kW of a Tesla Model 3, or the 150kW of a Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric, the UX300e’s main rival. It is unclear if this has been upgraded for the 2023 model.
Alongside the new battery, changes have been made to improve the way the car drives, as well as increase its stiffness through 20 additional weld points.
Inside, the updated UX300e borrows the rest of the 2023 UX range’s 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen – which replaces the current car’s 10.3-inch unit, and ditches the controversial centre-console touchpad for interaction through finger touch only.
The larger screen runs new software, with wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, an in-built web browser, a smarter satellite navigation system, a ‘Hey Lexus’ voice assistant, over-the-air updates, and support for the Lexus Connected Services smartphone app.
Other interior changes include a larger wireless smartphone charging pad, and two additional USB-C ports in the centre console.
Safety has been upgraded with intersection support for the autonomous emergency braking system, a revised lane-keep assist system, and the ability for the adaptive cruise control function to adjust its speed for corners.
The 360-degree camera in the Sports Luxury flagship variant has also been updated with an “underfloor view” which shows the road surface below the car.
The 2023 Lexus UX300e electric SUV is due in Australian showrooms sometime next year – joining the petrol and hybrid variants, which are in showrooms now.
Pricing will be announced closer to launch, however expect a price rise over the current model, priced from $74,000 plus on-road costs in Luxury guise, or $80,691 plus on-road costs in Sports Luxury trim.
