Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews also can be seen in Cruisin’ News magazine published monthly out of Folsom, California.
Sacramento, California -- You want a Lexus, a luxurious one at that. You've earned it, right? Nothing wrong with rewarding yourself for your years of toil.
And being a thoughtful citizen, you desire a hybrid that will bypass gas stations by the score.
OK, what's all that going to cost? Loaded Lexus with a hybrid system. Probably looking at something in the $60,000 ballpark.
That's more like it.
My tester was dressed up with optional extras that pushed the bottom line to $44,115 -- still reasonable, in my book. But if you are a buyer that can live without extra perks like a head-up display, triple beam LED headlamps, parking assist and a wireless charger -- and I'm guessing a fair number of buyers will be content without those extras -- you're back in the $40,000 ballpark.
What you do get as standard equipment is plentiful. That includes a 10.3-inch color display, a primo audio system with eight speakers, voice-command technology, a moonroof, a navigation system, rain-sensing windshield wipers, heated/ventilated front seats, a power rear gate with kick sensor and a full boat of state-of-the-art safety systems.
It looks sharp too, especially in profile -- a sporty wedge made for cutting through the wind.
Another bonus: A max five-star rating in federal government crash tests.
Power comes from a 2-liter, four-cylinder gas engine paired with a hybrid drive system. I found the powertrain -- rated at 181 horsepower -- to be pleasingly peppy linked to a continuously variable transmission.
Some critics have called the UX underpowered, with a comparatively stiff ride. My experience was nothing close to that. My UX was smooth and robust when called upon to move quickly. Steering was one-finger easy but just firm enough to make me feel secure in tight spots.
By the way, that hybrid powertrain will net you 41 miles per gallon in the city and 38 mpg on the highway. That will save you a few bucks over the long haul.
Worth a test drive? Absolutely for those who lust for a Lexus without breaking the bank. Like I said, you've earned it.
No comments:
Post a Comment