Lexus continues to be the most reliable luxury car brand. So if you want an upscale and easygoing car ownership experience, Lexus is the one to go with. In particular, the 2021  Lexus UX is an attractive choice for an entry-level car, despite some shady reviews.

The Lexus UX is built for comfort 

Like most of its siblings, the UX is a comfort-oriented vehicle. That’s why some of the critiques about the UX not being “exciting enough” aren’t exactly fair. The UX isn’t intended for the most thrilling ride, but it does impress with the level of poise and refinement it provides. 

“[The] UX puts its eggs in the comfort basket. The ride quality is supple, and the seats are well cushioned. The driving position is the usual raised affair in crossover SUVs, and forward vision is excellent. The tight turning circle and modest dimensions make this a smart choice for running around town, then squeezing into parking spaces that bigger vehicles would drive past.”

Kelley Blue Book (2020)

The standard 2021 UX 200 features a 169-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder and continuously variable automatic (CVT)). As the figures suggest, the biggest downside to the UX is that it’s on the slower side of this segment. On a more positive note, the UX earns praise for its sharp handling and smoothness. Efficiency is also a highlight for the subcompact SUV.  

The UX 200 has an EPA rating of a combined 32 mpg, which excellent for the class. You might also want to consider the UX 250h, which is the hybridized model. The UX 250h can get up to 42 mpg overall. Additionally, going for the hybrid is the only way to get a UX with all-wheel-drive.

What features come standard on the 2021 UX?

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Deciding on what UX trim to get ultimately depends on how much you want to spend. If you’re looking to dip your toe in the luxury realm and keep things relatively cheap, stick with the base trim. The base UX 200 starts at $32,900. It comes with faux leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a wifi hotspot. 

We also like that the UX comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 7-inch display screen is standard, but its Remote Touch infotainment system can take some getting used to. Additionally, Lexus packed the UX with helpful active safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning mitigation, and blind-spot monitoring. 

Is this Lexus worth splurging on?

The UX gets pretty pricey considering its size. It can seat up to five, but the available cargo space you get is limited. In total, the UX provides 21.7 cubic feet of cargo space; the BMW X1 is more impressive in this area. Cargo space aside, it’s worth splurging on the UX if you can. 

Road testers at Car and Driver especially recommend going with the UX 250h F Sport model. The team likes the 250h F Sport trim best because it comes with AWD, a sportier suspension, and an upgraded interior. On the top-level Luxury variant, you get more conveniences such as noise-reducing front windows.