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3 Things That Separate The 2019 Lexus UX From Other Crossovers
Lexus finally introduced its first compact crossover in the form of the 2019 Lexus UX. This is the first Lexus model to feature the brand’s new GA-C platform and it looks like a slightly blown-up LC500.
Exterior
The front end of the new Lexus UX looks a lot like the LC500—from the aggressively curved hood to the spindle grille to the headlights with a slightly different LED strip. It has an overall sporty design with a unique rear end that gives a sort of optical illusion to the casual looker. The rear overhang on the rear hatch is highlighted by an F Sport-styled side wings while the rear fascia gets an F Sport insert.
Interior
The cabin is a blend of German, Japanese, and American culture. It has its own identity and refreshingly sits apart from the rest of the cars in the segment. Up front, the infotainment display has a large, cellphone-like look to it with an integrated digital display and an embedded appearance. Imagine Audi’s infotainment display a few years back and you’ll get what we mean.
The seats, both of the driver and the passengers, are perforated and supportive. There’s high-quality stitching throughout the seats with some contrast on the steering wheel. There’s a thick leather pallet on the middle tier of the dashboard which also has some white contrast stitching.
Performance
Lexus is fitting the UX with an all-new 2.0-liter gasoline engine. It offers high-speed combustion, multi-hole direct fuel injectors, variable cooling system and oil pump, and intelligent variable valve timing. It comes also with the brand’s first Direct Shift CVT. The engine will deliver 168 horsepower but no torque figures have been released yet. Does this one need a high torque figure? It’s hard to imagine anyone wanting to tow anything with the Lexus UX.
Top 3 Selling Points of the 2018 Lexus LC 500
Starting at $92,000, the 2018 Lexus LC 500 boasts a striking design and decent engine output. The luxury coupe is its brand’s answer to the likes of BMW 650i Coupe, Jaguar F-Type and Mercedes-Benz SL450.
Is it worth its expensive cost? Let’s take a look at the three key selling points of the car based on a review by Cars.com :
1. Design
One of the paint finishes offered by the LC 500 is the “Infrared”. As its name implies, it is a special red paint. The source shared that he was engaged by more people as he drove the car compared to the other vehicles he tested.
The spindle grille of Lexus also gives the car a striking identity. Add to that the smooth body, strategically-placed intakes and lighting system of the auto, and we have a real beauty here.
The only setback seen in the design of the LC 500 is that it is a bit bulky. It is more of a touring car than a sports car.
Inside, a mix of high end leather and fabric adorn the surfaces of the LC 500. The highlight of the cockpit is the 10.3-inch display controlled by a touchpad. However, the person reviewing the vehicle found the touchpad to be a nuisance when making inputs as it takes the eyes of the driver away from the road more than a touchpad does.
There appears two rear seats inside the car too but the source noted that they are too tight to even fit a child. It seems like the area is only for the luggage.
2 . Engine
The LC 500 retained its naturally-aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engine. The unit produces 471 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque. The power is distributed via a 10-speed automatic transmission. The configuration lets the vehicle sprint from zero to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds.
3. Performance
The review stated that the LC 500 has a smooth power delivery. Then its engine revs fast. Moreover, the power unit is quiet.
The major setback in the driving performance of the car though is its heavy frame. This factor causes the vehicle to have heavy steering and the back gets twitchy when at high speeds.
Overall, the 2018 Lexus LC 500 may not have some of the elements of a sports car but the styling and other features surely make up for what’s lacking.
3 Key Features of the 2017 Volkswagen e-Golf
The 2017 Volkswagen e-Golf is VW’s only entry to the electric vehicle segment in the the US market. The German car boasts a long range and a pretty decent output.
Recently, Green Car Reports took the EV for a test drive at the Grant’s Tomb located in Manhattan’s Upper West Side in New York. Below are the top 3 features of the e-Golf based on the review:
1. Power
The Volkswagen e-Golf runs on a 100 kWh electric motor powered by a 35.8 lithium-ion battery pack. The output of the unit is 134 hp with 214 lb-ft of torque. It’s older model possesses 115 hp and 199 lb-ft of torque.
The output of the new e-Golf allows it to sprint from zero to 60 mph in just 9.6 seconds. That’s a second quicker than the older model. The source noted that they could not sense any difference from its earlier version’s acceleration time though.
2. Range
The combined EPA-rated range of the auto is 125 miles. It is a significant increase compared to its predecessor’s 83 miles range.
The charging of the vehicle takes less than six hours in a 240-volt Level 2 charging station. Using the DC fast charger of the SE and SEL premium models, and as optional add-on on the e-Golf S, an 80 percent charge can be attained in around an hour with a CCS charging station.
The article showed admiration to the engine of the EV for being quiet. The auto was also praised for its smooth handling during acceleration and while being reversed for parking.
3. Design
The VW e-Golf is basically a VW Golf fitted with electric motor. So everything from the exterior to interior design of the e-Golf and the standard Golf is the same.
2017 Volkswagen e-Golf Test Drive Photos
Check out some of the photos of the Volkswagen e-Golf while it is being taken for a spin in the gallery below:
