2021 Lexus UX 200 F Sport - Review by Mark Fulmer

Good Looking and a Good Ride

Mark Fulmer
The Auto Channel

Someone once said "you see what you want to see..." and when it comes to automotive design, some writers see the design of the 2021 Lexus UX as angry and aggressive. This writer sees the sharp angles as intensity and focus.

The squinting headlights seem focused on the precise position of the apex in an upcoming turn.

The laser-like tail lights seem to scan the UX's "6" for anything unusual or unwanted.

Ok, ok, enough imaginative subjectivity. But after all, the acronym "UX" is a marketing abbreviation for "user experience" and this little beast has plenty. Being an F SPORT model includes LED fog lights, a mesh styled grill, and 18-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels.

Under the hood is a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder that produces 169 horsepower. Obviously hard acceleration does not produce heavy G force, but does a good job for a vehicle its size and weight. The ride is firm yet handles bumps with a surprising smoothness, especially at the higher speeds.

The interior is worth its weight. The eye-catching red seats with well sculpted sport seats in the front, and reasonable leg room for the second row.

The swooping dash with digital gauges, and a customizable heads-up display removes having to look down and away from the road (and growing number of both unskilled and hyper aggressive drivers that the pandemic and lack of drivers training has spawned).

Add all that up with Lexus safety systems which include sensor alerts, active cruise-control (terrific for busy freeways) and lane-departure steering assist, and you are looking at a versatile, luxury ride.