Lexus UX 300e range, battery & charging
The electric Lexus UX finds itself close to the bottom of the pack when it comes to range and charging
| Range | Battery size | Wallbox charge time | Rapid charge time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 190-196 miles | 54.3kWh | 8hrs (0-100%, 6.6kW) | 52mins (10-80%, 50kW) |
While a few years ago, 50kW rapid charging was par for the course, it's no longer competitive in the electric SUV segment. Rivals like the Mercedes EQA, Audi Q4 e-tron and Volvo XC40 Recharge can all charge at more than 100kW, and each offers a real-world range of more than 200 miles.
That said, in the second half of 2023 the UX 300e's battery size will increase from 54.3 to 72kWh, which Lexus says boosts the car's range up to a much more competitive 280 miles. Range charging speeds are expected to remain the same though, and the electric UX will continue to use a CHAdeMO charging port, not the CCS connector you'll find on the majority of EVs today, including Lexus' own RZ SUV.
Lexus UX 300e range
Lexus claims a range of up to 196 miles for the current UX 300e – a figure calculated for the lower-spec models on 17-inch wheels. The bigger 18-inch rims don't make a huge difference; range for this model officially falls to 190 miles.
On our test, we found the Lexus to offer a range of around 165 miles on a full charge. While not quite what the maker claims, this figure seemed to drop largely in line with actual distance travelled. That's better than the Mazda MX-30 can manage, but it's some way off the 200+ miles offered by similarly-priced Mercedes, Audi and Volvo models.
Charge time
Lexus claims the UX 300e can charge from zero to 100% at a maximum of 6.6kW from a home wallbox in just over eight hours – a time that's just about feasible for an overnight charge. A rapid charge from a public 50kW DC charger will get the car's battery from 10-80% in 50 minutes. While that may have been competitive a few years ago, rivals like the Volvo XC40 Recharge can charge at up to 150kW – three times as fast.
There are two charging ports on the UX 300e, one for a Type 2 cable that you'll use when topping up at home and the CHAdeMO connector for rapid charging. They're both located at the rear of the car, so it'll be easiest to reverse into a charging bay as a result, although some public chargers may have a cable long enough to reach for those who prefer nose-in parking.