2000 Lexus Gs400 Base Sedan 4-door 4.0l No Reserve! on 2040-cars

Auto blog

2019 Lexus UX 250h First Drive Review | Flashy looks and smart hybrid tech

STOCKHOLM, Sweden — Lexus admittedly is late to the subcompact crossover segment, but it hopes to make up ground with the 2019 UX by offering an intriguing combination of hybrid technology and flashy design. Longer than any premium subcompact SUV rival at 177 inches, the UX's 60.6-inch height is lower than all but the Infiniti QX30 and Mercedes GLA, and it sits in the middle on width at 72.4 inches — the BMW X1 and Subaru XV are narrower, the Audi Q3 and Jaguar E-Pace wider. Those dimensions give the UX a much more hatchback/crossover feeling, rather than a boxy and upright SUV. The inline four-cylinder 2.0-liter gasoline engine teams with two electric motors to produce 175 horsepower channeled through an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission. The hybrid offers electric all-wheel drive with a dedicated electric motor generator integrated into the rear differential. Despite the crossover looks, Lexus never suggests the UX is a proper off-roader. On-road it does feel a little more solid, and promises more traction on slippery surfaces off-road. The U.S. market gets a strictly gasoline-fed option too, in the UX 200. It's powered by a 2.0-liter 169-horsepower four-cylinder engine paired to Toyota's new direct-shift CVT transmission and front-wheel-drive only. Economy figures are still to be finalized, but Lexus estimates 33 combined mpg for the UX 200, with the all-wheel-drive 250h expected to achieve 38 mpg combined. Related: 2019 UX is the most affordable Lexus In Europe, the UX will be sold alongside the now-aging CT hatchback, despite rumors the CT is on its way out (it's already been axed in the U.S.). But the UX is by far the superior vehicle. The CVT in the Lexus UX is better and doesn't whine like the transmission in older versions of the CT. The UX also handles way better, even though for most customers its environmental credentials, keen running costs and distinctive design are more likely to factor into the buying-decision process. The UX's cabin is a welcoming space. It's smart, logical and less cluttered than the larger NX. Material quality is excellent and original in places too — the optional dashboard covering akin to textured Japanese washi paper is a good example — and Lexus is stressing the brand's superior craftsmanship, called Takumi, throughout its range. Unfortunately, the interior is hamstrung by the laptop-style touchpad for the infotainment screen (7-inch is standard, 10.25-inch on F-Sport trim).

Award-winning Lexus Sport Yacht to get a production successor

Imagine driving along a coastal road in the evening sun, listening to Christopher Cross, Michael McDonald or some other very smooth singer usually associated with the tag "Yacht Rock". Perhaps a Lexus coupe could very well suit that soft rock mental imagery, with "Sailing" playing from its Mark Levinson audio as you cruise down the road in a laid-back fashion. But you could in fact be sailing in a Lexus-branded boat, too. Revealed a year ago, the Lexus Sport Yacht isn't just a badge-engineering job: it was created by Lexus Design, engineered by Toyota's Marine Division and built by the Wisconsin-based boat manufacturer Marquis-Larson Boat Group. The one existing example has just now been honored at the Yokohama International Boat Show, by Japan's Boat of the Year committee. As Toyota's Executive Vice President Shigeki Tomoyama accepted the award, he also announced production plans for a globally sold Lexus Yacht. "Based on our amazing experiences in engineering, building, testing and showing the Lexus Sport Yacht concept last year, we've decided to take the next bold step of producing an all-new larger yacht that builds on the advanced nature of the concept while adding more comfort and living space," Tomoyama said. "We plan to start sales in the U.S. in the latter half of 2019, with sales in Japan following in the spring of 2020." The new, 65-foot yacht will be built in partnership with Marquis-Larson, and more details of it will be revealed later. Related Video:

Lexus confirms three-row RX coming by 2018

Now seems like the perfect time for Lexus to launch a three-row version of its RX crossover. Not only are CUVs flying off of dealer lots – as you probably already know, the RX is Lexus' best-selling model – there aren't all that many car-based luxury soft-roaders on the market for Lexus to compete with. Problem is, these things take time, and product planners don't always get the new-model cadence just right. Now, though, we at least have a tentative date for the extended-wheelbase 'ute's arrival. According to Automotive News, Lexus General Manager Jeff Bracken has confirmed that the brand is readying a three-row version of the RX with plans to have it in the clutches of salivating dealers by late 2017 or early 2018. Chances are, the new model will wear RX 350L badges in gas-powered guise and carry the RX 450hL moniker in hybrid form. As AN points out, these names were registered as trademarks earlier this month. That indicates we'll see both standard V6 and optional hybrid-powered versions of the three-row RX. Not only will the extended RX keep the same nomenclature, it'll also look pretty much the same as its five-seat siblings. According to Bracken, "We put so much energy into the styling you see now that we didn't want to compromise even with the third row." All we have to do now is wait, said Bracken. "They would just love to have it now. But I think they're quite relieved that they know it's coming." Related Video: