Lexus Confirms Edgy Compact Crossover is Heading to Production
The Lexus crossover and SUV family is getting a new member.
The Japanese luxury automaker has confirmed to Australia’s Motoring that the UX Concept is heading to production and that it’s “not so far away.” The confirmation comes from Lexus International executive vice president Yoshihiro Sawa, who added that the UX will help appeal to younger buyers and hopefully a generation of new owners.
“The loyal users always changing the car but at the same time the average age is going up,” Sawa told Motoring. “But from this year we tried to seek the buyer average that is younger. We try to capture these new younger buyers, so that we change our design ways.”
SEE ALSO: Lexus UX Concept Previews Flashy Compact Crossover
The Lexus UX Concept was introduced at the 2016 Paris Motor Show as a compact model that would slot under the Lexus NX. The more aggressive and edgier styling plays into the automaker’s desire to attract younger buyers, although we expect the production model will be more conservative and traditional. Still, the overall profile and style should survive, and it will be interesting to see how Lexus deals with the interior. The concept’s cabin had all sorts of interesting, high-tech features that seems outlandish, like the Kinetic Seat Concept featuring a flexible material woven around a skeleton to make the seats more like hammocks.
Expect to see the production Lexus UX model debut sometime this year.
Discuss this story on our Lexus UX Forum
Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
More by Jason Siu
Comments
Join the conversation
May I suggest a name change? UGH seems more appropriate.
This looks like it's a re-badged C-HR. Looks aside, if it has a better engine and transmission it'll be ok and sell because it's a Lexus SUV. I wonder if it'll come FWD like the MB GLA?