By Tiffany Paige, Contributing Editor
Did you know that Lexus was the world’s first luxury automotive maker to bring a hybrid vehicle to the US market back in 2006? The definition of a hybrid is anything of a mixed origin, so the Lexus hybrid is powered by a combination of a combustion gasoline engine coupled with battery-powered electric motors. Since then, they have had six luxury hybrids in their line. Lexus, being the world leader in luxury hybrid vehicles, applied its engineering expertise to the 2020 UX250h with a new generation Lexus Hybrid Drive powertrain. What else makes the UX so unique is who was at the helm, both Lexus’ and Japan’s first-ever female chief engineer, Chika Kako, who is also Executive VP of Lexus International. She didn’t just bump the glass ceiling, she crushed it.
The UX250h is considered a luxury subcompact crossover SUV: A raised wagon-style, with a 5th door and backseats that fold down for versatility. The compact design is both strong and stylish. You could say it is small, but it is mighty.
“I wanted to positively overturn the image of a crossover and offer a car with nimble performance and excellent maneuverability that makes it as easy to drive as a sedan,” said Chief Engineer Kako.
Available in a gas-only UX 200 FWD and the hybrid UX 250h with AWD. Both are available in an F-sport version.
Best part is that if you’re not ready to go to a full electric plug-in car, a hybrid is a great way to lean in. With the UXh you get 41 mpg in the city, 38 mpg on the highway, and when you do fill up you can use regular 87-octane fuel over premium. So you save two ways. And who likes going to the gas station? My Chihuahua sure doesn’t. Every time I pull in she starts barking like Cujo.
So let’s recap:
• A woman chief engineer
• All the luxury you’d expect from a Lexus
• Great mileage, saving time and money at the pump
• And a mild mannered pup
Win-win!
Photo Credits:
Lexus pressroom – UX silver lining metallic with green and red foliage backdrop
haralddawo.com – Chika Kako inside the vehicle behind the wheel of the UX
Lexus/HGESCH – Chika Kako with white car wearing rose colored jacket
Lexus.co.uk – inner workings shadow of the UX hybrid
Lexus.com – UX 250h style overview atomic silver (pulled from website)
Lexus.com.co.nz – Chika Kako with white car wearing lavender colored jacket
Lexus – Chika Kako headshot