I drove the Lexus UX 300h for a week — and it’s the perfect blend of luxury and fuel economy

When I think of Lexus, the first thing that comes to mind is that it’s going to be way out of my budget. I’ve already tested a few models in the last year, like the Lexus TX550H+ and Lexus RZ 450e, with both models exceeding $60,000. That’s why you should know about the Lexus UX 300h.

Really, it’s one of the few ‘luxury’ cars I could afford with its starting price of $38,035. This goes up to $45,485 with the AWD trim I drove for a week, which is still way cheaper than many of the best electric cars I test.

While EVs are the future, you can’t overlook the value that hybrid cars still offer — and the Lexus UX 300h proves my point even more. For its cost, I think it’s the perfect blend of luxury, fuel economy, and performance. Here’s why.

Image 1 of 38

2025 Lexus UX 300h: Specifications

2025 Lexus UX 300h: Testing summary

After driving a total of 337 miles in my week’s worth of testing, the 2025 Lexus UX 300h Premium AWD gets an average fuel economy of 48 mpg. For a subcompact luxury crossover SUV, this is outstanding because it beats Toyota’s own EPA-estimated claim of 42 mpg combined.

There’s no range anxiety with this one if it were to sustain that fuel economy, which could give it a range of about 508 miles with a full tank of gas. What’s even more impressive is the 46.7 mpg average I achieved with one of my long distance tests driving mostly on the highway. Being a hybrid vehicle, of course, it’s most efficient with city driving — evident in the 64.7 mpg average I got with my short distance test.

Even though charging an electric car at home will save you more money in the long run than any gas powered car, the Lexus Lexus UX 300h proves that you can still get savings with a hybrid. In fact, it’s the second most efficient hybrid car I’ve tested all year, trailing the 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid by the barest of margins.

2025 Lexus UX 300h: What I Like

Outstanding fuel economy

Nothing’s more of a drain on your pockets than paying for gasoline, especially with the national average at $4.01 per gallon. Naturally, the 48 mpg average fuel economy I got out of the 2025 Lexus UX 300h Premium AWD means it won’t have to refuel as much as your standard ICE vehicle.

However, what I want to point out here is that it can actually accept regular unleaded gasoline. That’s going to be extra savings thrown back into your pockets in the long run. While my testing consisted of a mixture of highway and city driving, you’ll actually get the best results with the latter.

Best auto braking I’ve tested

When I first drove the Lexus UX 300h, I was instantly surprised by one peculiar thing: how it automatically started to apply the brakes for me. This happens when I approach a stopped vehicle in front of me, but it’s very gentle. My initial impression was to react quickly, but I found this auto-braking feature to be very reliable.

It’s part of the vehicle’s Proactive Driving Assist feature, which monitors its distance from other vehicles and applies the gentle brake. Since it’s an assist feature, it’s not meant to totally bring the vehicle to a complete stop for me. But rather, gently remind me that I should.

Sport design

Despite being the cheapest vehicle in Lexus’ lineup, the UX 300h still gets the same treatment with its design. For starters, I really love the copper crest color because it has a luster in the light that makes it shimmer at just the right angle.

There’s also the same contemporary design it borrows from Lexus’ other vehicles, like the Lexus RX450h+, that fashions a sporty front grill that gives it a dynamic, three-dimensional look. Meanwhile, the sharp and angular lines of the bodywork gives it character — especially from the side profile.

Dedicated EV mode

Even though it’s not an EV, there’s an EV mode right beneath the drive shifter that gives you a small taste of all-electric power. In this mode, it will exclusively run for a brief period of time for short distances and speeds using electric power instead of gasoline.

I’ve used this a handful of times, but it kicks off each time I drive above 25 mph. If you’re careful about the way you drive, fuel economy can be increased because it does not require the use of gas to propel the vehicle.

Surprisingly affordable for a Lexus

Again, I cannot stress how this is affordable for a luxury vehicle. Other similar luxury vehicles I’ve tested, like the Genesis GV60 and Alfa Romeo Tonale, easily fetch for $50,000 at the very least — so to find one under $40,000 is a rare find.

You also get a pretty fair amount of features standard with the base trim, like wireless CarPlay and Android Auto integration, blind spot monitor, adaptive cruise control, heated outside mirrors, and more. The Premium AWD trim I drove gets even more features, like a head-up display, powered lift gate, and powered moonroof.

Paired with its impressive fuel economy, it only adds to the vehicle’s overall value. Again, it’s a luxury vehicle that anyone could afford.

2025 Lexus UX 300h: What I Don't Like

Weak on the acceleration

Just like other hybrid vehicles, the Lexus UX 300h is pretty weak with the acceleration. Getting to cruising speed oftentimes feels like a chore, but I will say that I drove it in mostly ECO mode during my testing. It’s the compromise you’ll have to settle if you want to get the best fuel economy. However, switching it into sport mode definitely increases the response.

Cramped leg room

Likewise, subcompact crossover SUVs don’t give you a ton of legroom — and the Lexus UX 300h is no exception. There’s just minimal legroom with the back seats, so taller passengers will find it exceptionally cramped with long drives. Younger children shouldn’t have a problem, though.

Trunk space is minimal

And yes, the smaller size of the vehicle also impacts the amount of space with the trunk. I’m able to throw my electric scooter into the trunk with no problem, but trying to do the same with something larger like my JackRabbit OG2 Pro ebike requires me to pull down the back seats to make more room.

2025 Lexus UX 300h: Bottom Line

I could see myself getting the 2025 Lexus UX 300h Premium AWD because it checks off a lot of the boxes in what I’d want in my next car. Not only are you going to be spending way less over an electric vehicle, but it offers one of the best fuel economies in any gas-powered vehicle I’ve tested all year.

While it might not be the perfect main car for most families, as the small trunk space and tight legroom with the back seats make it challenging, it can be a good second vehicle. Best of all, you’re not spending a fortune to get a luxury vehicle.

More from Tom's Guide

Follow Tom's Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!

• I tried the new CarPlay with the iOS 26 beta — and Apple just solved my biggest issue with infotainment interfaces
• Sorry, EVs — I test drove my first PHEV and it’s the perfect blend of electric and gas power
• I tried this thermal camera to make my nighttime driving safer — and it's a game changer