UX sport-ute features Lexus luxury, hybrid system

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews also can be seen in the Northern & Central California Cruisin’ News magazine published monthly out of Folsom, California.

Sacramento, California -- It's an ever-present question in today's car-buying world: Do I want to spend some extra loot to get a luxurious version of a compact motor vehicle?

If the answer is YES, the Lexus UX moves to the head of the class. My recent test run in the 2020 Lexus UX 250h Luxury adds another consideration: Do I want to have a hybrid system in said luxurious, compact crossover SUV?

I suppose it all depends on personal preferences.

Still not sure?  Here are a couple of starting points: I fully enjoyed my time in the UX 250h, which possessed all of the luxurious charms and engineering excellence one expects from Lexus.  And the bottom line on my tester's sticker was $44,700.

That likely narrows things down for a fairly large segment of consumers.  Still interested? OK, let's move on to some details.

The basic, front-drive Lexus UX 200 has won praise from others for its excellent fuel economy, fine fit/finish and value.  Some of those same reviewers have expressed disappointment with the four-cylinder, 169-horsepower engine. But how does that transfer to the hybrid version?

For what it's worth, I found the power source in the all-wheel-drive UX 250h -- a 2‑liter, four-cylinder  gas engine with a hybrid drive system, with a total max output of 181 horsepower -- completely capable of handling city streets, suburban freeways and twisty mountain roads.

My tester looked good riding on 18-inch aluminum wheels with standard run-flat all-season tires. The monster-size grille has received mixed reviews from critics, but I liked the bold look.

Fuel mileage on the 250h is a fuel-sipping 41 miles per gallon in the city and 38 mpg on the highway.

From there, things keep getting better ... that is to say, more impressive and luxurious.  The impressive part included a max five-star federal government overall safety rating and a super-long list of state-of-the-art safety and multimedia features.

On the luxury side, standard fare on the tester included a treasure trove of LED lights (headlamps, running lights, taillights, turn signals and door handles), heated exterior mirrors, a moonroof, rain-sensing wipers, heated/ventilated front seats and a Siri voice-command system.

Optional extras on my ride included a head-up display, a wireless charger and a heated steering wheel.

So, you have to ask yourself: Am I willing to spend some $45,000 on this Lexus crossover with hybrid assist?

The ball is in your court.