A luxury subcompact SUV with 0-60 7.5 & range 180, but limited to Chinese & European market - is a modest but solid BEV start for TMC.
Good on them.

Because the C-HR & UX's length, wheelbase, width & tracks are much more similar to the subcompact Yaris than the compact Corolla and compact Nissan Leaf, the subcompact based UX cannot have as large a battery pack unless taller cells are used.
In other words for BEV's, the larger the platform, the larger the battery pack.

For any given platform size, the taller the cells, then the larger the battery pack.
For example, Model S & X use 18650 which are 65 mm high.
Model 3 uses 2170 which are 70 mm high.
While the forthcoming 3480's are 80 mm high.
Taller cells allow larger battery packs for any given wheelbase by track platform size.


By the same token, has any tester pointed out that the UX300e BEV version has its floor raised by at least 3" with less cabin space inside?

SUV's have a natural ability to absorb the height of the battery packs in BEV's.
Meanwhile the height of the battery packs in BEV's turn sedans into 4 door gran coupes!
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It depends on the platform. The Polestar 2 shares its platform with the ICE Volco XC40 and yet it is fairly competitive with the Model 3. The TNGA platform under the UX however doesn't seem like it was designed with pure electrification in mind.

 

That is a valid point in regards to packaging....however, compared to a Tesla 3, the UX has features, design and other attributes where it wins....I only watched one of the videos but comments like "proper turn and wiper stalk"....a heads up display.....feels like a Mercedes.....feels luxurious...drives better than a Hyundai or KIA EV and then its cheaper to lease...this is where the comparable advantage comes in and what someone would be willing to trade-off compared to having a dedicated skateboard platform....no doubt the Tesla 3 is more performance oriented...but is the Tesla 3 more luxurious?

Then other things like dealer service network, brand warranty etc can be a factor as well. Range and 0-60 times are the only thing people want...

 

Yes, a proper dedicated EV platform like Tesla or TMC's forthcoming e-TNGA platform is a "skateboard" platform that maximizes the wheelbase and track to maximize the battery pack size, and it also gives the vehicle tremendous rigidity too.

When hybrids and plug-ins mount the battery pack above the rear axle or under the trunk, because the battery pack is so heavy and dense, the Center of Gravity becomes too high, and not to forget that this also makes the Polar Moment of Inertia for too large thereby reducing the agility.

The latest TMC hybrids now have the battery pack sandwiched between the rear seat base and the liquid fuel tank, and while this certainly lowers the C of G and the Polar Moment of Inertia, both the C of G and Polar Moment of Inertia are still too high compared to a full BEV with the battery pack under the floor..

 

I’m glad the UX is being described as such but I would venture to guess that range is the number one factor when it comes to buying an electric car. A Tesla might not be as luxurious but it is definitely better than mainstream brands. Does any model besides the LS have heated rear seats? The model 3 and Y do. And the self driving tech is a big plus.

anyway, most people should be leasing their electric cars to the point where reliability shouldn’t matter as much. The battery tech is professing so quickly that it doesn’t make sense to buy.

 

I guess that's why the UX300e has been limited to the Chinese and European markets.
In the US, they would need much more range.

 

It beats it in pretty much everything, the way it drives being the best factor when comparing the two. Interior is a lot better laid out, although Im not a fan of multiple screens but you can turn them off, it has Acura like levels of trim and fit and finish. Has way more driver technology. It's faster, marginally. It just looks cooler although MX-30 is a looker as well and it is better looking than UX imo. Unless you really like to ride high then MX/UX is a way to go, but when it comes to driver's comfort and space both MX-30 and Honda e have the same amount of space.

 

Watched the third of those 3 videos... nice to see it being driven on the road. Car is super quiet, and i got a little chuckle that they've used the LC500 shifter!

range is bad, and when people talk about it being an 'urban' car, well, people who live in big european cities typically walk, bike or take subway and the bus, etc. although covid-19 has lead to a THIRTY PERCENT increase in used car sales in spain for example, because people are now afraid of public transport.

It's a start at least by lexus, but they definitely need a dedicated platform for packaging/range.

 

A Toyota Avalon has heated rear seats. A Toyota Corolla has heated rear seats as well. I think range would be super important for the US market for an battery electric, however I think there is gonna to be a sizeable consumer base who want luxury materials that along with a battery electric...as well a quiet experience and features that just work...every time, this what a Lexus should offer.

I get the dedicated platform for an EV, but then again there are a definite set of advantages when Mercedes can offer a hybrid, V6, V8, V12 and EV options off their S-class platform....you are seeing the Lexus advantage with the UX IMO

 

^^ Mercedes is set to introduce 3 more EQ models which are dedicated EVs: the ECE, the EQS, the EQS SUV, This, in addition to the EQC SUV which will be released soon. I dont see Lexus coming anywhere close with as many EV models.

 

The EQC 400 uses the GLC/C class platform; they are doing exactly what Lexus has done with the UX. Also planned/built in China as a secondary plant. . Not sure what the EQS or ECE will use maybe it will be its own platform. I am sure Toyota can achieve their own platform but that does not mean they have to. I think the new Mirai EV will be on its own chassis. Apparently Toyota’s plan is to develop a full electric only platform with Subaru for SUVS....but imo not everything needs to resemble a Tesla...I’m happy Lexus offers 3 different versions of the UX, I believe the hybrid is the best choice. IMO

I personally do not think we will ever see a high performance Lexus on part with a Tesla S.

 

I think the subcompact UX300e with 0-60 7.5 and range 180 miles for the Chinese and European market - is a good start for Lexus.

Now Lexus needs to follow that up with a compact NX400e with 0-60 in 5.5 and range 300 miles, plus a midsize RX500e with 0-60 in 4.5 and range 360 miles - to sell in the US market.

PS
They also need some sedan or 4 door gran coupe body configs like a midsize ES500e, and perhaps bring back the HS Series nameplate in the compact HS400e, sharing platforms with the NX400e.

From 2025 onwards, the e-TNGA platform with solid state batteries will phase in.

My plan is to keep and drive my atmospherics to the ground, bypassing these early adopter ICEV-based BEV platforms with ageing lithium ion technology, and move straight into e-TNGA platforms with solid state batteries...
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Yes youre correct. The EQC is on the GLC platform which explains its not so great range. But the EQS, EQE, and EQS SUV will use a single, scalable platform which will hopefully give good packaging for increased range.

 

Reading today that the Lexus UX EV batteries are air cooled. RAV4 Prime are liquid cooled.

Interesting to note...Toyota engineers added more room to the cargo area for the EV compared to the UX hybrid.

 

Given that the battery pack is at least 3" high, it will be interesting to see if the floor to ceiling vertical dimension and hence the passenger volume of the EV version has been compromized.