2023 Lexus EX300e EV gets range boost

The Lexus UX300e electric car has received an update ahead of its 2023 launch, with the headline being a much larger battery offering a much-extended range.

The MY23 model gets a 72.8kWh battery instead of the old 54.4kWh pack, increasing the range from 315km to a claimed 450km in WLTP tests.

The electric motor is as before, producing 150 kW of power and 300 Nm of torque.

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The battery isn’t the only update to the UX300e though, other changes are more in line with the revised petrol and hybrid UX family unveiled in August and available in stores now.

Improvements include a new 12.3-inch touchscreen display instead of the old 10.3-inch non-touch setup, the addition of USB-C ports, and a new multimedia system.

The designers also reconfigured the shape and switch layout of the instrument panel and console area, while increasing the area of ​​the smartphone wireless charging pad.

The new operating system supports wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto and has an integrated data communication module with internet connection. A mix of cloud-based and native satellite navigation means the system can pull real-time traffic and parking information.

The new natural language recognition means users can say “Hey Lexus” to handle functions like opening and closing windows or changing a song.

The DCM also enables Lexus Connected Services, allowing for over-the-air updates. Other services include automatic notifications in the event of an accident or theft, app-based unlocking and starting the vehicle, and remote control of the air conditioning and battery status.

The Lexus Safety System+ driver assistance system also gets some tweaks, detecting AEB crossing, automatic deceleration around corners using adaptive cruise control, and a refined version of the Lane Trace Alert lane centering feature.

The Sports Luxury class picks up an improved 360-degree camera with a new underbody view.

As with the MY23 Lexus UX200 and UX250h, the UX300e gets a reinforced chassis, with engineers adding 20 spot welds throughout the body for greater torsional rigidity. The electronic power steering, shock absorbers and brakes are also retuned.

Pricing and full specifications will be announced closer to the sale date, which is only listed as 2023 at this time.

The outgoing Lexus UX300e was $74,000 (Luxury) and $81,000 (Sports Luxury), but with the larger battery, we’d bet on some price increases.

The UX300e EV is a slow seller for Lexus, managing 63 sales YTD versus 403 hybrids.

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