5 Minutes
The first fully electric Lexus didn’t arrive with fireworks. And now, it’s leaving the stage just as quietly.
While many drivers assume the Lexus RZ was the brand’s opening move into the EV world, that honor actually belongs to a smaller, lesser‑known crossover: the UX 300e. Introduced in 2018 and built at Lexus’ Miyawaka plant in Fukuoka, Japan, the compact luxury crossover was the company’s first attempt to translate its hybrid expertise into a fully battery‑powered vehicle.
But in the United Kingdom, that chapter has now closed. The UX 300e has disappeared from Lexus’ online configurator, and the automaker has confirmed what many suspected: the electric UX is no longer available. For a model that once symbolized Lexus’ cautious entry into electrification, the exit feels almost inevitable.
The numbers help explain why. Since its launch, fewer than 3,400 units were sold across the UK. In today’s rapidly expanding EV market, that figure is modest at best. With demand shifting toward newer electric platforms and longer‑range models, Lexus appears to be clearing space for the next wave of battery‑powered vehicles.
A First Attempt That Never Fully Took Off
The UX 300e wasn’t a clean‑sheet EV. Instead, it was built on Toyota’s TNGA‑C platform, the same architecture underpinning models like the Toyota C‑HR, Corolla, Corolla Cross, and Prius. That shared foundation made development easier, but it also meant the vehicle carried compromises typical of early electric conversions.
Range was the most obvious one.
The original UX 300e launched with a 54.3 kWh battery pack—small by modern EV standards. Official range was rated at around 186 miles (300 km), a figure that quickly began to look outdated as competitors pushed well beyond the 250‑mile mark.
Lexus attempted to correct course later. An updated version arrived with a larger 72.8 kWh battery, pushing range to roughly 280 miles (450 km). It was a meaningful improvement, but by then the EV market had moved on. Dedicated electric platforms from rival brands were delivering more range, faster charging, and greater interior space.
The UX 300e simply never shook the feeling that it belonged to a transitional moment in Lexus’ electrification strategy.
The UK isn’t the only market where the model has faded away. Australia said goodbye to the UX 300e last summer, and other regions—including parts of Europe and Japan—are widely expected to follow. There are no farewell editions, no special send‑off models, and notably, no direct replacement waiting in the wings.
When the UX 300e disappears, it appears it will do so for good.
Interestingly, the UX nameplate itself isn’t going anywhere just yet. The hybrid version of the crossover continues to sell globally, including in the United States where the electric variant was never offered.
For the 2026 model year, the Lexus UX hybrid remains available in two trims. The standard UX delivers 196 combined horsepower and an EPA‑estimated 43 mpg, reaching 60 mph in roughly eight seconds. Pricing starts around $38,250 before destination charges. The sportier F Sport version carries the same powertrain but adds visual upgrades and starts at about $42,085.
With the UX 300e gone, Lexus’ global EV lineup becomes surprisingly small. In many markets, the larger RZ crossover now stands as the brand’s only fully electric model.
That won’t last forever. Lexus has already signaled that several new EVs are in development as part of Toyota’s broader electrification push. One upcoming model is expected to be a more premium electric counterpart to the Toyota Highlander, hinting at a shift toward larger and more profitable segments.
In hindsight, the UX 300e looks less like a breakthrough and more like a stepping stone—a cautious experiment that helped Lexus test the waters of full electrification. It may not have changed the EV landscape, but it did mark the moment when Lexus first unplugged from gasoline entirely.
And sometimes, the quiet pioneers are the ones that make the next generation possible.
Source: autoevolution
Comments
Armin
Is this even true? UX 300e gone from UK, no replacement.. feels like Lexus hesitated. Wonder if they waited too long, or just misread demand
v8rider
wow, I actually liked that quiet move by Lexus. UX 300e felt practical not flashy, but range killed it. Hope next one hits the mark, pls give longer range!
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