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Writer's pictureMike Hagerty

The Case For Choice: The 2021 Lexus UX 200 F SPORT


2021 Lexus UX 200 F SPORT front 3/4 view

The 2021 Lexus UX 200 F SPORT got me thinking. There's absolutely a market for small luxury crossovers. The UX is intended to fill that.

2021 Lexus UX 200 F SPORT rear 3/4 view

While a crossover is technically an SUV, the UX---especially in front wheel drive form---is happiest as an urban car (a failed attempt to drive out of a parking lot at Lake Tahoe while in the UX proved that point---the six inches of ground clearance can actually be stymied by the car ahead of you leaving too-deep ruts in not that much snow, there's insufficient weight over the front wheels to get traction, and none over the rears. Plus, the CVT couldn't hold a gear while trying to gently power out of the snow and ice. We ended up needing a push from a couple of Good Samaritans).

2021 Lexus UX 200 F SPORT hood up

2021 Lexus UX 200 F SPORT engine

The engine is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 169 horsepower. It's mated to a ten-speed direct-shift continuously variable transmission. Sixty miles an hour from a standing start is an eight-and-a-half second proposition. The EPA fuel-economy average is 29 city/37 highway.


As uninspiring as all that sounds, the low center of gravity and quick steering response does make the UX enjoyable to drive.

2021 Lexus UX 200 F SPORT rear liftgate open

2021 Lexus UX 200 F SPORT cargo area

2021 Lexus UX 200 F SPORT interior

2021 Lexus UX 200 F SPORT rear seat

2021 Lexus UX 200 F SPORT front seats

2021 Lexus UX 200 F SPORT instrument panel

The accommodations are another bright spot. There's room for five people (ideally four)and their things. Fold down the rear seat and it's two people and a lot of their things. The materials and fit and finish are top-notch for the price and size class.


The base price of the 2021 Lexus UX 200 F SPORT is $34,900. The window sticker is at the end of this review so you can see for yourself, but among the standard equipment highlights at that price are a six-speaker premium sound system, on-board WiFi, dual-zone climate control, 18-inch alloy wheels with run-flat tires and a seven-inch color multimedia display.

Our tester also had extra-cost options including $75 for a wireless phone charger, $2,390 for the F SPORT Luxury Package (moonroof, rain-sensing wipers, heated and ventilated front seats, power rear door with kick sensor, auto-folding outer mirrors with memory and driver seat memory), $500 for a head-up display, $2,200 for navigation which includes an upgraded eight-speaker audio system and an auto-dimming interior mirror, $565 for intuitive parking assist and $595 for the Ultrasonic Blue Mica paint. With $1,025 delivery processing and handling fee, the as-tested price of the 2021 Lexus UX 200 F SPORT is $42,250.

2021 Lexus UX 200 F SPORT front view

2021 Lexus UX 200 F SPORT side view

2021 Lexus UX 200 F SPORT rear view

My advice? Buy a UX---but step up to the UX 250h Hybrid. It solves the UX 200's limitations. You get 12 more horsepower, all--wheel drive and a massive improvement in fuel economy---41 miles per gallon in the city and 38 on the highway. All for a $2,200 increase in base price.



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