Lexus UX300e price increased, bigger battery to give 450km driving range

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The price of the Lexus UX300e electric small SUV will be increased in June 2023 in line with the arrival of a substantial upgrade to the car’s battery.

A 33-percent larger lithium-ion battery pack now measuring 72.8 kWh in capacity will see the UX300e’s electric driving range upgraded to 450 km on the WLTP testing cycle, while power and torque remain steady at 150 kW (201 hp) and 300 Nm from a single front motor.

Last year’s version of the UX300e used a smaller and lighter 54.4kWh battery that delivered a fairly modest 315 km WLTP range.

The updated UX300e is understood to retain the older model’s unusual Chademo charging port and limited 50kW peak charging speed – well behind the 233kW offered by the Hyundai Ioniq 5 (from $72,000) or the $59,990 Cupra Born’s 170kW peak.

Unsurprisingly, the huge battery capacity upgrade is associated with increased prices. A two-grade structure will be maintained, with the entry-grade Luxury 72.8kWh jumping $5990 to $79,990 before on-road costs.

That’s a price that will still allow some UX300e Luxury buyers to take advantage of the Commonwealth fringe benefits tax waiver, as its driveaway price will sit under the 2022–23 financial year efficient luxury car tax threshold of $84,916.

With a higher level of appointment, the UX300e Sports Luxury model has been increased in price by $7799 to $88,490 before on-road costs, putting it out of reach of most EV incentive schemes in Australia.

Lexus has retained the UX300e’s position as the luxury brand’s entry-level battery-electric (BEV) model. It’s priced comfortably below the midsize RZ450e, which will kick off from $123,000 before on-road costs – making the RZ nearly $35,000 dearer than the UX.

The arrival of the updated UX300e will also see the EV model brought into line with a number of new convenience features already launched on the petrol-powered UX200 and hybrid UX250h models in Australia, including a bigger 12.3-inch touchscreen.

Wireless Apple CarPlay is also now standard, along with wired Android Auto, a 13-speaker Mark Levinson stereo, satellite navigation and a wireless device charger.

Both grades roll on 18-inch wheels, but the Sports Luxury uniquely scores real leather trim (instead of vinyl), plus a sunroof, 360-degree camera, three-projector LED headlights, acoustic laminated front side windows and a head-up display.

It’s likely that the mass of the UX300e has increased because of the much larger battery. We’ve requested a weight figure from Lexus.