2023 Lexus UX300e pricing and features: updated EV now in showrooms

The updated Lexus UX300e electric small SUV has arrived in Australian dealerships, with increased pricing but also increased driving range.

The updated EV arrives a few months late, having been expected in June.

Lexus's baby electric SUV gets a stronger body and improvements to steering, suspension and brakes. There's also a bigger display, revised switches, a bigger wireless phone charging space and two USB-C ports in the front, and upgraded connectivity.

2023 Lexus UX300e Pricing

The base UX300e Luxury is now priced from $79,990 – up from its initial November 2021 launch price of $74,000, though comfortably below the current $84,916 Luxury Tax Threshold for "fuel efficient vehicles".

The top-spec Lexus UX 300e Sports Luxury – the only other variant in the range – starts from $88,490.

Lexus hasn't raised prices entirely for its own gain, however. For the new model year, there's a bigger battery pack – and that means a bigger cost to Lexus.

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NOTE: Australian-market photos are still to come

Battery and power

More money, more time between stops.

For a bigger outlay, Lexus is quoting a claimed driving range of up to 560 kilometres – compared to a mere 360km for the pre-update model.

Beyond its new driving range, the updated UX300e's 150kW and 300Nm remain unchanged.

However, the driving figure is an NEDC test cycle number and not comparable to most other EVs that provide quoted driving ranges based on the tougher WLTP cycle. The new system used in Europe uses real driving tests designed to more accurately represent 'real world' driving.

For Europe, the 2023 UX300e lists WLTP figures of 450km from its new 72.8kWh battery, against 315km for the pre-update 54.4kWh model launched in 2021.

To Lexus's credit, 450km range is excellent for a small SUV – although the incoming new-generation Hyundai Kona claims 490km (WLTP) off its 65.4kWh battery.

Key luxury electric small SUV rivals include the BMW iX1 (priced from $78,900) and both the XC40 Recharge (from $76,990) and C40 (from $78,990) from Volvo.

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2023 Lexus UX300e features

As with the wider 2023 UX range update launched earlier this year, both 2023 Lexus UX 300e variants come with a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, DAB+ digital radio, satellite navigation, a wireless phone charger, and a 13-speaker Mark Levinson hi-fi audio system.

A three-year complimentary subscription to Lexus Connected Services is also included (two years more than Toyota, four years less than Kia), offering safety and convenience features through the vehicle's inbuilt Data Communication Module when connected to a mobile network.

Upgrading to the Lexus UX 300e Sports Luxury adds leather-accented seats, moonroof, head-up display, panoramic view monitor, adaptive high beam system, high-grade three-projector LED headlamps with dynamic auto levelling, acoustic front side glass, and uniquely designed 18-inch wheels.

As before, buyers of the Lexus UX 300e receive Lexus Encore Platinum Electrified benefits, including free 7kW home charger installation, three years of free access to Chargefox charging stations, Lexus On Demand (four eight-day loans each year of another Lexus model), and three years of Valet Parking "at select locations".

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2023 Lexus UX300e features and equipment breakdown

The 2023 UX300e is available to order now.

For details on the wider Lexus UX range, see our story linked below.

Lexus also has another new electric SUV on sale in Australia, in the form of the larger RZ. Read about that model here.

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The story to here

October 2022: Updated UX300e revealed with bigger battery and greater driving range

The 2023 Lexus UX 300e compact crossover is set to receive a significant update, with new vehicles arriving next year fitted with bigger batteries and a greater driving range – plus new tech and features.

Final pricing and local specifications will be announced closer to the vehicle's on-sale date in 2023, but buyers can look forward to the updated UX 300e's larger 72.8kWh battery pack (up from 54.4kWh), extending the vehicle's projected driving range by 40 per cent, yielding a WLTP claim of 450 kilometres.

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Peak outputs remain unchanged at 150kW and 300Nm, with a flat-packed battery array mounted low within the chassis floor for optimal centre of gravity and also doubles as an NVH 'sound barrier' to the road below.

Range-wide updates include 20 further spot welds for increased torsional rigidity, as well as recalibrated electronic-power assist steering, shock absorbers and brakes.

Inside, the most noticeable revision is a larger 12.3-inch central touchscreen with improved resolution, functionality and mounted closer for ease of use.

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Lexus designers revised some of the switchgear which freed up more space for the wireless phone charger, and also allowed for two additional USB-C ports to be added into the centre console.

The latest infotainment operating system features in-vehicle internet connectivity, providing live updates and parking information to in-car navigation, and also enables native web browsing inside the car. The 2023 Lexus UX 300e also support wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto.

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The cloud connected vehicle also gains access to Lexus's suite of online Connected Services, tying into a companion app on your phone. This gives real-time information on your vehicle's status, remote start and climate control, increased security and can also notify emergency services in the event of a crash.

All vehicles will be fitted with Lexus's suite of safety equipment, including an enhanced autonomous emergency braking function that now also includes junction assist for when crossing oncoming traffic in an intersection. Dynamic radar cruise control has also been recalibrated for less intrusive assisted steering inputs, with curve speed control added to prevent speed creep when cornering gently.

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Lexus Australia states that midlife updates of the UX 200 petrol and UX 250h hybrid are already on sale locally, with the updated UX 300e set to arrive in Australian showrooms in 2023. Pricing and local specifications will be announced closer to launch.