Every trim gets all-wheel-drive standard in this country, and new for this year, they all get 64-colour ambient cabin lighting, too
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The little Lexus hybrid known as the UX 300h heads into 2026 with a smattering of notable changes, starting with a few new colours and fresh interior illumination. All four trims – Premium, Luxury, F Sport Design, F Sport 2 – get ambient cabin lighting that can be tuned to one of 64 different colours. The entry-level model gets a new shift knob, while the Luxury will now be available with a Lapis interior hue, good news in a sea of black and beige upholstery. As with other Lexusesessses, stepping into an F Sport 2 brings the option of a red interior, which we heartily recommend.
This diminutive electrified is-it-a-hatchback-or-is-it-a-crossover will continue to make just under 200 horsepower from its hybrid powertrain, tag-teaming an inline-four-cylinder gas engine with two motor-generators and a compact lithium-ion battery pack. An electronically controlled continuously variable transmission is slung underneath, and plays with an all-wheel-drive system that comes standard in Canada.
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The Premium trim is priced at $48,195 including most fees, and is one of two in the litter to have an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, making you wonder why Lexus even bothered (hint: it has all to do with advertised ‘starting at’ price points). Next is the $49,265 F Sport Design, also with the small screen but adding 18-inch alloy wheels, a mesh grille, unique front and rear bumper, and some wheel-arch mouldings. A $53,659 Luxury trim finally brings the 12.3-inch touchscreen, plus a raft of gear like premium sound and power liftgate. Atop the heap is a $55,934 F Sport 2, with the aforementioned optional red seats and wireless charging plus other features.
4.13
out of 5
MSRP $45,045
Last annum in Canada, the UX line was up seven per cent year-over-year in terms of sales. The 2026 iteration is on sale now at Lexus dealers across Canada.
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2021 Castrol-Wakefield Automotive Writing Award, runner-up
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Winner – 2023 AJAC Road Safety Journalism Award presented by Volvo Canada
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