Skip to main content

UX concept takes Lexus’ love-it-or-hate-it design language to new heights

Lexus UX concept
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Lexus has published the first official pictures of the UX concept that’s scheduled to make its official debut next week during the Paris Auto Show.

The UX wears an aggressive, head-turning look that builds on Lexus’ current design language. It sits high off the ground thanks in part to large alloy wheels, and it features a sleek silhouette that puts a much bigger emphasis on style than on function. Thin LED tail lamps, suicide rear doors, and tiny cameras in lieu of door mirror add a futuristic touch to the overall look.

The interior is even wilder than the exterior. The cabin is fitted with five screens; two that display the footage captured by the cameras that replace the mirrors, one that replaces the instrument cluster, one that runs the infotainment system, and another one on the long, sloping center console.

The dual exhaust pipes confirm that the UX concept isn’t purely electric, though technical details haven’t been published yet. However, Lexus has a history of showing concepts powered by its hybrid technology, so there’s a good chance that its newest crossover is no exception.

Lexus UX concept interior
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Odds are the UX isn’t simply a wild design study built to woo show-goers in the French capital. Website Motor Authority points out that Lexus recently trademarked the nameplates UX 200, UX 250, and UX 250h in Europe and in Australia, among other places. And while automakers routinely protect names even if they’re not planning on using them, seeing the moniker show up on a concept suggests that a new addition to the Lexus lineup is right around the corner. The UX is expected to take the form of a subcompact crossover closely related to the upcoming Toyota C-HR.

Read more: Could crossover fever kill the Lexus CT?

Stay tuned, as we likely won’t have to wait very long for the Lexus UX concept to make its full debut. The crossover will be shown to the public for the first time during the Paris Auto Show, and Digital Trends’ car team will be on location to bring you live images of it as soon as it’s unveiled.

Updated 9/23/2016 by Ronan Glon: Added official picture of the interior.

Editors' Recommendations

Ronan Glon
Ronan Glon is an American automotive and tech journalist based in southern France. As a long-time contributor to Digital…
The Apple Car was reportedly dubbed ‘the Bread Loaf’
A man checks his phone in an Apple retail store in Grand Central Terminal.

A 2020 prototype of the so-called "Apple Car" was dubbed "the Bread Loaf" for its looks, according to a Bloomberg report on Wednesday.

In a deep dive into the costly project, which Apple canceled last month, the report described the vehicle as “a white minivan with rounded sides, an all-glass roof, sliding doors, and whitewall tires [that] was designed to comfortably seat four people and inspired by the classic flower-power Volkswagen microbus.”

Read more
The Rivian R2 SUV is up for preorder for only $45,000
Rivian R2

You can now get a Rivian without spending more than $70,000. After months of rumors and leaks, Rivian has finally taken the wraps off of the Rivian R2, its newest SUV, and the first to be built on the new Rivian R2 platform. The R2 is built to be Rivian's "Model 3 moment," or its attempt to build a car that's more accessible to the general public and thus could be sold at a much higher volume than the R1S or R1T ever were.

The R2 certainly cuts some corners to achieve the lower price point, but it actually still has a lot going for it -- especially as an electric SUV in this price range. It goes up against the likes of the Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Mustang Mach-E, and Kia EV6, but it's much more of an SUV than a crossover-sized car and should appeal to those who want something larger and with Rivian's design sensibility.

Read more
The R3 is Rivian’s surprise electric crossover
Rivian R3

Rivian didn't just announce the R2 platform at its latest launch event -- in a surprise twist, it also announced the R3 crossover. The R3 is Rivian's smallest car yet, offering a size much closer to the likes of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 than the SUVs that came before it.

Of course, not only is the Rivian R3 smaller, but presumably, it's also cheaper. Rivian didn't reveal actual pricing for the car, but it did say that it would be less than the R2's $45,000 price. Also, it may be some time before we start seeing the R3 on the road -- the car will follow the R2, which isn't set to be available until the first half of 2026.

Read more