adnewton

I had a test drive today in a Premium Plus. Leather trim, HUD and larger instrument cluster.

I was very impressed with acoustic deadening, engine refinement and ( as always ) Japanese build quality. The centre screen is standard I’m told, so this is also a plus.

I was interested in the Premium spec ( spec below one I drove ), which comes with a smaller 7” instrument cluster. Couldn’t find an image to show difference. That alone may be a game changer. Not entirely sure how it differs for content and being intuitive.

it’s a very decent car; in specs and refinement. However, rear leg room will be an issue and drivers seat doesn’t adjust far enough back for someone who is 6ft. Probably restricted this to allow some legroom for rear passenger. Inside is quite compact!

Servicing costs are £270 for intermediate and £505 for a major ( salesman informed me ). 🥴

I have also test driven the new C-HR. As much as I wanted the LBX to be better, I really didn’t think it was, plus, servicing costs etc will be cheaper on the Toyota. 

One other area for consideration - C-HR is on 1.9% APR and LBX on 5.9% APR……if you’re considering PCP. A lot of the components on the LBX are also carry over from C-HR/Toyota. 

35 minutes ago, johdhm said:

I see that What Car has made the LBX their car of the year, so I would guess demand will be sky high and availability limited.  My local Lexus dealer had not even seen one a couple of weeks ago!

My dealer doesn’t have one until end of this month! 

3 minutes ago, Mr_Groundhog said:

I had the UX as a loan car last time I went in for annual service and I really liked it, except for the tiny luggage space. I don't think I would be able to comfortably travel long distance on such small boot... Other than that the car was cool.

Same thoughts here. My C-HR has a small boot due to having a spare wheel fitted, but feel the UX doesn’t have much depth at all. 
 

Appreciate the feedback. Thanks.

42 minutes ago, nivlem said:

The 2024 UX will use the same 2l engine from the CHR which is the 5th generation hybrid system but Lexus do some tweaks for the UX. As far as the 2nd generation of UX, its timeline is between late 2025 and early 2026. Insurance is really higher then the CHR compared to Lexus UX is more premium than the CHR but as of now Toyota is leading the Lexus in terms of design and specs even though its the same conpany. 

Lexus use Toyota to prove their new design strategies; only when data is favourable, do Lexus take on Toyota components and then tweak them.
Toyota are Designed in Europe and Lexus in Japan. Safer and cheaper to test in Europe - I would assume.

11 minutes ago, fourbanks said:

i would avoid this 3 pot type of engine. Sounds OK but will rev high and the average Lexus owner will give it a miss 

TBH, my wife had the MK4 Yaris and I found it quite refined. It’s obviously same in Yaris Cross, which is an heavier car and not heard any reports of it struggling in that.

Probably worth waiting a few months then and not jumping into an UX.

Could it be same engine as Yaris GR? 

38 minutes ago, Bezzer said:

Insurance is getting a right pain, have you had a recent quote for your C-HR ? probably not a lot in it. F Sport Design has "old fasioned" remote locking not keyless so you can't use the remote signal snatch method to steal it. Dunno if it has easy canbus access for that type of theft but I can't say I've seen it mentioned at all even for the keyless versions. I did try the C-HR and Yaris Cross before settling on the UX which I don't regret. Price seems on the high side for a relatively higher mileage newish car in the current used car slump.

Thanks for the reply.

My C-HR insurarance is due next month, so will see what they're trying to rip me off with. 

I have seen alternative examples of UX with less miles recorded ( 2k ) for less than the one I've been offered, so won't be accepting that one.

I may even wait for the LBX to become fully available. My wife had a MK4 Yaris with same engine installed and tbh, it went well and returned 70mpg. I know the LBX will be different in terms of mpg & refinement though.

I'm aslo not too bothered about keyless entry, but do want BSM and RCTA......I've got used to it in my C-HR. Might be worth hanging on until after March. In saying that, I have been offered a good price on my car via a car buying site.

Decisions!!

Hi all,

Been a member on here and active until I sold my CT 4 years ago. I then bought a Toyota C-HR Excel - which I’m happy with, however, I always yearn to be in a Lexus.

So, I’ve been offered an 2023 UX F Sport Design with 9k miles for £29k. Having had a test drive in one a couple of weeks ago and thinking how more responsive it was v my 1.8L hybrid C-HR, I’ve since been looking around at the UX.

Do I wait for the LBX, go for the UX or just keep my C-HR? Was shocked to see an insurance quote at £700 for the UX today 🥴. Currently pay £400 for the Toyota. 

Is there anything anyone would like to advise on with UX? e.g. anyone moved from C-HR to UX? Are the UX a target for thieves?

My observations:- Rear leg room is similar, equipment similar, servicing dearer on UX, no spare wheel on UX ( added spare wheel kit on C-HR ), insurance dearer. UX would be 5 years younger than C-HR.

Any comments negative or positive would be appreciated.

Many Thanks. 👍👍

Nightrider! 😬

I normally use Carwow to look for best offers. Birmingham came up cheapest for the Premium Sport.

Just waiting for them to come back to me with a yes, they can do what I want, or not. They think they've found a way they can, but not sure if they can get it through their purchasing system etc. Expecting them to come back with - "No can do".

I'm happy bide my time for now.

Specs are bit of a faff tbh. Reminds me of BMW - where you had to select a radio & heater, otherwise you wouldn't get them. 🤑

Think UX with Premium plus pack is probably the best. You can also select your trim.

Have you seen the Premium Sport in the flesh? It includes some aesthetic additions - which quite honestly, put me off. Spec is good, but all seems a bit dark inside.

Looking at base UX with Premium pack instead now.

I have BSM and RCTA on my C-HR. Both use the emblem in mirror to warn.

I’ve found specs are very contradictory on the Lexus website. Premium sport, for example,  doesn’t come with rain sensing or locking wheel nuts - according to one page. Of course it does, so can’t trust specs.

Ah right. They said they’d look at options with BSM, RCTA and 17” wheels ( not run flats ). Looking at Lexus new car config, Premium pack comes with RCTA, but not BSM. You get BSM with Premium plus pack.

Will see what they come up with - if anything.

Yeah, same here. Really don’t like the black wheels, spoiler, headlamps etc. 
 

They're looking at a base UX with premium pack now for me.

25 minutes ago, Beduffshirl said:

Mine was flagged "In Transit" on Thursday but hasn't made it the short journey to Birmingham yet 😞

You can have the one I probably won’t have. That’s at Birmingham Fort. 😬

Mmmm......not sure about the black/smoked additions tbh on Premium Sport. The other issues are not insurmountable. 
When I had the C-HR, I just couldn’t get on with it, but a year later, I’ve got it all sussed out. Maybe the UX will work that way?  

I’ve been contacted today by dealer. The car they ordered for me ( which I declined ) has now arrived in dealer. They’ve offered to let me drive it for 20-25 miles on Wednesday, plus, they will throw in 3 years free servicing and change tyres to Dunlop’s - if I purchase before end of month.

I’ve agreed to have another drive and look round the aesthetic changes of the Premium Sport spec. Pretty sure though the Entertainment system will be no different.

Has anyone insured a premium sport yet? Wondering if the word “Sport” in spec, bumps up insurance premiums?

20 minutes ago, ColinBarber said:

I assume your C-HR is a 1.8 one?

Yes. 2018. I know the newer C-HRs have the same 2.0L engine and new e-CVT. Might have a look at some point. 👍

Will see what the next few months brings. RAV4? NX? Yaris Cross......revamped UX? 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

Had a chat with dealer on taking the car back. They offered to change tyres to Dunlop’s foc. 
They also had a newly arrived Premium Sport spec. Interior is dark with charcoal leather and no sunroof. The aesthetic changes to add black accents to roof rails, door mirror caps and headlamps - looks OK tbh. Car also has BSM and RCTA. 
So, am I going to buy one?? I don’t think there’s enough car for me to part with my C-HR plus £14k. The 2L engine is fantastic; along with ride and handling........but, I just don’t feel excited enough about owning one. Too many doubts about specs and if I’ll ever get used to that ICE system!

I got back into my CHR and it seemed so easy to drive, select music, Nav etc......and feel comfortable.

I’m going to have a good think over the next few days, but the wife.......she wants to keep the CHR!  We will see. 🥴

Many thanks for all your comments and valuable feedback. It’s what these forums are all about. 👍

Just a note for thought - I’ve worked in car industry for 40 years:  they only put out Special editions when they either can’t sell the cars or model  year is coming to the end of its run. So Premium Sport is either a bargain or upgraded to sell old model year stock.

Update - I’ve had the car since 10am this morning and just popped back home for a break.

Bridgestone Tyre noise is awful! Hear and feel every rumble through the steering wheel and brake pedal. Not good.

Car I have is with Premium pack plus. Mark Levinson sound system, HUD ( which is very good ), electric seats and column and Sunroof. I know the Premium sport doesn’t have these options fitted, so a bit unfair of them to give me a car with these option. Probably a ploy to get me into a higher spec car. 🙄

So, is the car better than my C-HR? Definitely. The engine is smooth and powerful, plus I was getting 57mpg! Seats are better, but may need to fiddle around to obtain best position ( as every car I’ve owned ). 
Cabin quality feels solid, but a bit more compact than the C-HR. 

Now the entertainment system........what a faff! It will take a bit of getting used to, but it’s not impossible. Find Nav screen a bit too small also, but not too bothered when you have apple play and voice instructions. Weirdly, this car doesn’t have BSM or RCTA......which I’d miss if I never had it.

In summary - think I have a few discussions to be had with dealer on specs and especially tyres. He has informed me he will have a Premium Sport spec in by next week for me to have a look at. 
 

Anyway, back out for a few more miles.........

Thanks. I did read about this. Dunlop’s are a softer tyre and as such are quieter and wear a little quicker. I’ve had Bridgestones before and even though they are noisier, suggesting a harder compound, they didn’t last at all.

I’m tempted to go for UX with Premium pack - opposed to Premium Sport. This is the problem not being able to go and look around dealers. I will however mention changing to Dunlop’s anyway - regardless of what spec I have.

Thanks again for the advice and info.