Lexus UX 300e: review, specs, range and battery

Lexus UX 300e is a compact crossover and the first mass-produced electric car in the history of the Japanese premium brand. It was unveiled in 2019, and in 2023 the model received a major update with a 72.8 kWh battery and a range of up to 450 km. At the end of 2025, Lexus discontinued the UX 300e in the UK and most European countries, so today it is primarily a used-market car. We break down the specifications of both versions, equipment, design, and what to look for when buying a used Lexus UX 300e.

Contents

• Lexus UX 300e at a glance
• Model history: from debut to discontinuation
• Technical specifications
• Battery, range, and charging
• What changed with the 2023 update
• Equipment and safety
• Design, interior, and boot
• What to check on a used UX 300e
• Accessories for Lexus UX 300e

Lexus UX 300e at a glance

• Front-wheel electric motor: 150 kW (204 hp) and 300 Nm, single-speed reduction gear.
• 54.3 kWh battery on the 2020–2022 version and 72.8 kWh after the 2023 update.
• WLTP range: 305–315 km for the first version and 440–450 km for the updated one.
• 0–100 km/h: 7.5 s, top speed: 160 km/h (Lexus data for the first version).
• Length 4,495 mm, wheelbase 2,640 mm, boot 367 l.
• DC fast charging only via the CHAdeMO connector; AC via Type 2.

Model history: from debut to discontinuation

The UX 300e is based on the regular Lexus UX—the same compact crossover that was sold with a petrol engine and as a hybrid (see our review of the Lexus UX 250h hybrid). The electric version was introduced in 2019, and in the UK the first cars were delivered to customers in early 2021. According to Lexus Europe, in 2022 the UX was the brand’s second best-selling model in Europe (14,559 cars), with the electric version accounting for about 13% of UX sales.

In spring 2023, the updated UX 300e with a battery 40% larger in capacity reached European dealers. But even that did not save the model: fewer than 3,400 cars were sold in the UK over five years, and at the end of 2025 Lexus confirmed that the UX 300e had been discontinued. The manufacturer did not state the reasons; reviewers point to the outdated CHAdeMO connector and the modest range of the first version. There is no direct successor: the UX line-up is now hybrid only (UX 300h), and the only Lexus EV in Europe remains the larger Lexus RZ.

Technical specifications

The drag coefficient is 0.31. Suspension: McPherson struts up front, longitudinal and double transverse links at the rear; ventilated disc brakes on both axles. Towing a trailer was not permitted by the manufacturer for the first version.

Battery, range, and charging

The lithium-ion battery is located under the floor and the rear seat. It has air cooling: cooled air circulates inside the pack, and heating elements are installed under each module so that in winter the battery does not lose capacity as much. The first version charged on AC in about 8 h 15 min (32 A), and on a CHAdeMO fast charger in about 50 minutes. For the updated version, Lexus states around 9.5 hours for a full charge at 32 A.

The main weakness is the CHAdeMO connector. The number of fast-charging stations with it is steadily decreasing, so an UX 300e owner should plan routes in advance or rely on home charging.

Battery warranty in Europe is 8 years or 160,000 km (capacity below 70%). With a programme of regular checks at a Lexus dealer, Lexus extended it to 10 years or 1 million km.

What changed with the 2023 update

• 72.8 kWh battery instead of 54.3—range increased by more than 40%, to 450 km WLTP.
• Stiffer body: 20 additional welding points in the door area and rear panel, retuned dampers and electric power steering.
• New infotainment: 8- or 12.3-inch touchscreen instead of the 7- or 10-inch unit with a touchpad, the screen moved 143 mm closer to the driver, “Hey Lexus” voice assistant, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
• Expanded Lexus Safety System+: intersection turn assist, emergency steering assist, adaptive cruise that slows down before corners.

Equipment and safety

Even the first version came with Lexus Safety System+ with adaptive cruise control, lane keeping and pedestrian and cyclist detection, LED headlights, climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, a wireless smartphone charger, and navigation. Depending on trim, there were 360-degree cameras, a sunroof, a power tailgate, and a Mark Levinson audio system. Drive modes are Normal, Eco, and Sport, and the driver selects one of four levels of regenerative braking via the paddle shifters.

Design, interior, and boot

On the outside, the UX 300e is almost no different from the regular UX: the signature spindle grille, LED lighting with L-shaped elements, plastic wheel-arch cladding, and 17- or 18-inch wheels. The bonnet, front wings, and side doors are aluminium; the tailgate is composite.

Inside, there are high-quality materials, seats with a wide range of adjustments, and good lateral support. On the updated version, sound insulation was improved further: underbody protection was added, along with sound-absorbing wheel-arch liners and acoustic glass. The boot is 367 l to the cover. For the EV version, Stingray makes a separate boot mat—not the same as for the ICE or hybrid UX—so when choosing, look for the “Electric” marking.

What to check on a used UX 300e

1. Battery condition. Ask for a diagnostic report and find out whether the car underwent the checks required for the extended warranty.
2. Version. Cars with the 72.8 kWh battery are 2023 model year and newer; in terms of range they are significantly more practical.
3. Charging. Check that both ports work: Type 2 on the right and CHAdeMO on the left, and confirm that the charging cable is included.
4. Tyres and suspension. With 18-inch wheels the tyre profile is lower, and on our roads the rims are more vulnerable.

Accessories for Lexus UX 300e

EVs are valued for quietness and a clean interior, so the first purchases are model-specific floor mats and boot protection. In the Lexus UX tuning catalogue there are interior floor mats—Stingray rubber, textile, and EVA—and among the boot mats there is a dedicated Stingray 3D version specifically for the EV. Mud flaps and window deflectors fit all UX models from 2018 onwards, so they also fit the UX 300e.

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