Previously known as the UX 250h, the UX 300h designation clearly signifies the switch to Lexus’ fifth-generation gasoline-electric hybrid system. While it still uses the same M20A-FXS 2.0-liter engine, a higher output electric motor and a lightweight lithium-ion battery has helped bump up the figures to 199 horsepower, up from 184 horsepower in the UX 250h.

Despite the additional horsepower, Lexus says the UX 300h helps it achieve anywhere between 23.4 to 26.3 km/L.

Other changes to the UX 300h were developed thanks to driving it around the Toyota Technical Center Shimoyama. These include the addition of new braces to the radiator support and back panel, and redistributed/added sound insulation and dampening material. All in all, it results in improved handling stability and riding comfort.

The UX 300h also gains technology first introduced in the upcoming LBX including a new 12.3-inch full digital gauge cluster and a shift-by-wire gear lever.

For safety, the UX 300h receives the latest Lexus Safety System+ which adds pedestrian detection as well as steering assist to its forward pre-collision warning and braking system.

Meanwhile, its battery electric sister, the UX 300e has also received improvements, particularly in range and charging speed. For 2024, Lexus has improved its overall range to 512 kilometers and a 25 percent reduction in charging time. The 203-horsepower, 300 Nm UX 300e (sadly) still uses the antiquated CHAdeMO standard to charge its 72.8-kWh battery.

Lexus says the updated UX will make their way onto showrooms in Japan by January 2024 with other markets to follow. It will no doubt add to the more than 340,000 Lexus UX units sold so far since it was launched in 2018.