Sunday Drive: A stylish, efficient ride for our nest – 2025 Lexus UX300h F-Sport
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- The 2025 Lexus UX300h F-Sport proved to a great companion for us during our weekly test drive, handling all our needs and errands with ease.
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- Inside, the 2025 Lexus UX300h F-Sport had all the luxury and technology we have come to expect from the brand.
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- Even from the back, the small 2025 Lexus UX300h F-Sport gives off a great look and presence on the road
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- Being the smallest SUV in the Lexus line, the UX300h F-Sport proved to have plenty of inside space for us, even making a shopping trip to Costco.
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- The back seat of the 2025 Lexus UX300h F-Sport was great for the grandkids but my not be the best on a longer trip for lager adults.
There’s something truly refreshing about driving a vehicle that feels like it was designed just for your stage in life. That’s exactly how we felt this past week behind the wheel of the 2025 Lexus UX300h F Sport. With the kids grown and out of the house, we’ve found ourselves paying more attention to the little things in life — the comfort of a quiet cabin, the ease of getting around town and, yes, even the thrill of a good hardware store run.
The UX300h checked all those boxes and more.
This compact luxury crossover from Lexus is packed with style, hybrid efficiency and plenty of sporty appeal thanks to the F Sport treatment. It’s also surprisingly practical, with just enough cargo space for weekend projects, date-night comfort and the kind of fuel efficiency that had us smiling every time we passed a gas station.
Our average for the week? An impressive 41.5 miles per gallon — and that’s with a full week of errands, commuting, a home improvement haul and even a scenic drive around Utah Lake.
Everyday luxury for everyday errands
As we slipped into the SUV for the first time, the UX300h F Sport greeted us with that signature Lexus blend of luxury and sophistication. The red and black NuLuxe-trimmed sport seats hugged us gently, giving just the right amount of support, and the digital cockpit was clean, intuitive and ultra-modern. The F Sport model brought a more aggressive edge to the styling, with a unique mesh grille, sportier front and rear bumpers, and sleek 18-inch alloy wheels that added a dynamic flair to its compact profile.
Around town, the UX300h was an absolute gem. Maneuvering through the streets of Springville and Provo felt effortless. It’s small enough to navigate tight parking lots (a huge plus at the grocery store) but never felt cramped inside. The suspension, specially tuned for the F Sport trim, offered a comfortable yet responsive ride that soaked up the bumps on any street with confidence.
With its hybrid powertrain — a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with Lexus’ fourth-generation hybrid system — the UX was peppy enough to get up and go when needed, while remaining whisper-quiet during slower city driving.
On Saturday morning, Craig headed out to the local hardware store for some supplies. With the back seats folded down, there was plenty of room for a few bags of mulch, a new garden hose and a box of tools — everything needed for getting the garden ready to go. We were pleasantly surprised by how versatile the cargo area was for a vehicle this size.
Around Utah Lake: A scenic long-distance test
To really see how the UX300h would perform on a longer drive, we took a Sunday spin around Utah Lake — starting in Springville, heading west through Saratoga Springs and circling back up and around through Elberta and Genola. It’s one of our favorite scenic routes for a relaxed weekend outing, especially this time of year when the valleys are green and the lake glimmers under the sun.
The UX proved itself to be a quiet, capable cruiser. Out on the open road, we appreciated the added benefits of Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which now includes things like all-speed dynamic radar cruise control, lane tracing assist and road sign assist. It made the journey smooth and stress-free, letting us soak in the sights while the car, almost autonomously, handled the curves and hills with ease.
Noise insulation in the cabin was top tier — road and wind noise were virtually nonexistent, even as we picked up speed through open stretches. Deanne loved the optional Mark Levinson premium audio system, which filled the cabin with rich, clear sound as we played some of our favorite road trip tunes.
And did we mention that 41.5 mpg average? Even with a full day of driving around the lake and our usual errands, the UX barely made a dent in its gas tank. That kind of efficiency is hard to beat, especially in today’s economy.
A perfect fit for empty nesters
As we’ve transitioned into this new chapter of life — just the two of us at home — we’ve found that our needs from a vehicle have changed, too. We don’t need a third-row SUV anymore or massive cargo space. What we do want is something that feels refined, safe and easy to drive. The 2025 Lexus UX300h F Sport ticked all those boxes.
It offered a great view of the road without being too tall, it’s compact enough to handle urban environments and it’s got enough sporty flair to make daily driving fun again. And thanks to Lexus’ reputation for quality and reliability, we know it’s a vehicle we could count on for years to come.
The UX also had the kind of upscale touches that made everyday life feel a little more special — like the ambient lighting in the cabin, the tactile feel of the steering wheel and the responsive infotainment system, which now features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s even a digital key function that lets you unlock and start the vehicle from your smartphone.
At the end of the week
Over the course of the week, we found ourselves genuinely enjoying every trip in the UX300h — whether it was heading to dinner in Provo, a stop at the pharmacy or just a drive through the canyon to catch the evening light. It’s a vehicle that made the little moments feel more refined, and the bigger ones more enjoyable.
The 2025 Lexus UX300h F Sport starts at around $37,500 and comes with a long list of standard features, especially when you opt for the F Sport trim. While it might be considered a “small SUV” by some, for us, it felt just right — proof that good things do come in compact, fuel-efficient packages.
And with gas mileage like we experienced, you’ll have more money (and time) for weekend getaways — or that next project at the hardware store.
Base price: $46,375
Destination charge: $1,150
Price as driven: $49,575
