Auto news on Youtube Jan 29 2019

As automakers rush to add more crossovers and suv's to their lineups

they're starting to stretch the definition of what a crossover or an SUV

is. take this model right here it's the entry-level Lexus UX 200

subcompact it's new for 2019 and Lexus calls it a luxury crossover for the

modern urban explorer while it does deliver on the luxury front

in some ways in others it feels more like an economy car if you like the

design direction Lexus is taken with all of its sharp angles and edges there's a

good chance you'll like the look of the UX 200 because it follows that theme and

it builds upon it with some interesting unique hues this is an F Sport version

which is Lexus's mid-level performance trim and it has a different version of

Lexus's signature spindle grille twin spoke 18-inch alloy wheels and different

bumpers the UX 200 taillights are just as dramatic as its

massive front grille it features a hundred twenty LEDs that run the width

of the car and it's a new look from Lexus that really makes us stand out

when it's illuminated there are also these miniature tail fin like elements

at the edges of the light bar you also get the Lexus experience inside as the

UX has the same type of upscale materials and interfaces that you'd find

in one of the brand's more expensive SUVs F Sport models offer this red and

black color scheme and the seats are finished in simulated leather upholstery

that does a good job mimicking the real thing other F Sport cues include a

digital instrument panel with a moveable section an F sport steering wheel with

shift paddles and aluminum pedals Lexus continues to evolve its remote touch

multimedia system and the UX incorporates some of these new features

besides the familiar trackpad and buttons on the console there are these

new dials on the leading edge of the armrest for things like tuning and

volume the additional controls improve usability but this remains one of the

harder systems to use when you're driving because of this trackpad and how

you have to interact with it and the screen apple carplay smart phone

connectivity is standard and while the apps look great on the

dashboard widescreen display it's not a touchscreen so you still have to use the

trackpad to navigate through the carplay interface you get used to it after a

while but carplay is really designed for touch screens so it's a little more

cumbersome than it could be even though the UX 200s cabin looks nice enough for

an entry luxury SUV it's snug accommodations don't make you think

luxury the up sports front seats are comfortable for longer drives but the

back seat is pretty small with not a lot of extra space for adult passengers if

anything it's more like a subcompact hatchback than one of its competitors

like the BMW X1 which is considerably roomier inside and if a serene

effortless driving experience is important to you well you've come to the

wrong video that's just not what the UX 200 offers it's powered by a hundred and

sixty nine horsepower 2-liter four-cylinder engine that works with a

continuously variable automatic transmission the combination gets good

gas mileage it's gets an EPA estimated 33 miles per gallon and combined driving

but the driving experience pays the price

acceleration is sluggish especially at highway speeds where the engine makes

more noise than passing power and if you want to get all-wheel-drive you have to

step up to the UX 250h hybrid because the UX 200 is front drive only the ride can

feel choppy at times on the highway and firm in general all models get 18-inch

alloy wheels but the F Sport gets different springs and stabilizer bars

for a sporty or feel according to Lexus The problem though is that the bumpy ride

doesn't make you feel like you're in a luxury car rather it makes you feel like

you're in an economy car even though certain aspects of the UX 200 are

luxurious it's small cabin and driving performance dragged down the overall

experience a split personality isn't always a bad thing but in this case

there's too much economy car and not enough luxury car in the UX and with the

price of around $35,000 that just doesn't work