2021 Lexus UX 250h Review

Name: 2021 Lexus UX 250h
Brand: Lexus

Price Range: $27,998 - $34,590

The 2021 Lexus UX 250h is a stylish and fuel-efficient SUV. A distinctive interior design helps set it apart. But it's very slow, and traces of its Toyota Corolla roots come through in the on-road experience, making the high price tag hard to swallow.

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Price & Payment

26 cars

$30,018 avg. price

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Appraise My 2021 Lexus UX 250h

Lexus UX 250h model years

Lexus UX 250h for Sale

2021 Lexus UX 250h Review

Pros

High fuel economy
Lots of standard and optional safety tech
Maneuverable around town thanks to small dimensions

Cons

Infotainment interface can be difficult to use
Tepid acceleration
Limited rear legroom
Cargo area has a high liftover height

What's new

Redesigned cargo area adds more capacity
New Black Line Special Edition package limited to 1,000 units
Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are now standard
Part of the first UX generation introduced for 2019

Overview

Written by automotive expert Ryan ZumMallen

1/12/2021

At first glance, the 2021 Lexus UX 250h has a lot going for it: an attractive base price, lots of standard features, and expressive styling for an extra-small crossover SUV. The interior is quite a looker, too, as it shares a common design language with pricier Lexus models. Rounding out the list of strengths is its hybrid powertrain, which gives the UX 250h excellent fuel economy — 39 mpg in combined city/highway driving, according to the EPA.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Des Moines, IA

26 listings

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Certified 2021 Lexus UX 250h
Base 4dr SUV
$28,501
great price
$2,176 below market
- 43,595 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use
- 5 Seats, 41 City / 38 Hwy MPG
- Lexus of Milwaukee (305 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Keyless Entry/Start
- Upgraded Headlights
Close
Located in Milwaukee, WI
Heated steering wheel!Power rear door with kick sensor!Premium package- moonroof, rain-sensing wipers, heated and ventilated front seats!Wireles...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
39 Combined MPG (41 City/38 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JTHP9JBH4M2038305
Stock: L21137A
Certified Pre-Owned: Yes
Listed since: 08-21-2025
2021 Lexus UX 250h
Base 4dr SUV
$31,990
fair price
$712 below market
- 16,514 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
- 5 Seats, 41 City / 38 Hwy MPG
- Carvana - Chicago (268 mi away)
- Home delivery*
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Keyless Entry/Start
- Upgraded Headlights
Close
Located in Chicago, IL
At Carvana, we go miles beyond the extra mile. That's why we provide you with a convenient, fast, and hassle-free car buying experience that puts you ...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
39 Combined MPG (41 City/38 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JTHP9JBH1M2052419
Stock: 2004007736
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 08-22-2025

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Few other luxury automakers bother offering a hybrid powertrain in their little SUVs. You won't find one in the BMW X1 or Mercedes-Benz GLA, for instance. But not everything is great in Lexus town; the lethargic acceleration and cumbersome infotainment interface make us frown. How much do these drawbacks sour the overall experience? Learn more by reading our in-depth Expert Rating on the 2021 UX 250h.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

by the Edmunds Experts

Below Average

7.0

out of 10

We drove the 2021 Lexus UX 250h on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Performance

6.5/10

How does the UX 250h drive? The UX 250h is smooth around town, but it's also very slow, especially for a luxury vehicle. In our testing, accelerating to 60 mph took a leisurely 10 seconds. The vehicle's steering is nicely weighted, and the UX has some of the fun responsiveness found in the Toyota Corolla (to which it's related), but the added height and weight make for pronounced body roll through corners.

Overall, the hybrid UX is most comfortable with city driving, where the engine can stay in its acceptably torquey midrange, and there's no call for real handling prowess. Unfortunately, the brakes aren't easy to control to get the amount of stopping power you want and can feel jerky at low speeds.

Comfort

7/10

How comfortable is the UX 250h? The UX 250h is a comfortable vehicle, but it doesn't quite offer what we'd expect for the money. The seats are a strong point, with soft leather and padding that proves supportive even on longer drives. Although there's little wind noise and no engine noise while cruising, the engine kicks up an unpleasant racket when you ask for power. You're also exposed to traffic noise and intrusive pinging from the tires over rough pavement. The suspension smooths out bumps, but the run-flat tires make for a busier ride than we'd like.

With some controls hidden in infotainment menus, the climate control system is best left in its capable auto mode. Some vents are unfortunately close to the driver's hands and can be loud even at partial power.

Interior

6.5/10

How’s the interior? The UX's cabin is surprisingly spacious, but it's not the easiest to live with. Both front and rear passengers have lots of room, with space in the back for full-size adults. However, the seating position works better for people who like to sit low in the vehicle. It's not so great if you prefer sitting upright in your SUV. There's limited steering-wheel telescoping, although the front seats offer good height adjustability. That's necessary since at their lowest setting the front seats can be tough for people with limited mobility to get in and out of.

The control layout takes a while to get used to and is less intuitive overall than some rival setups. Also thick roof pillars, particularly around the rear hatch, limit overall visibility.

Technology

7/10

How’s the tech? Lexus' trackpad-based infotainment system is one of the more distracting interfaces to navigate within the luxury space. Voice controls are functional but a bit limited, and they require quite a few guided steps to complete certain commands. There are plenty of charging options around the cabin, including two USB ports for rear passengers, but you only get Apple CarPlay and not Android Auto. On the plus side, the sound system is what we'd expect from a Lexus, offering a lot of quality at any volume.

Basic active safety features are standard, which is still a bit uncommon for a luxury vehicle. But the driver aids are overcautious, with overly long following distances and sharp stops in traffic. Definitely not a premium experience.

Fuel Economy

9/10

How’s the fuel economy? The UX 250h's 39 mpg combined rating is quite impressive for a subcompact luxury SUV. Based on our real-world testing, that EPA estimate is realistic. The vehicle's tuning makes it straightforward to drive efficiently without feeling like the car is lagging or punishing you when you ask for power.

Value

7.5/10

Is the UX 250h a good value? The UX comes with a nicely designed and constructed interior with a lot of soft-touch materials. Every surface seems to have some sort of texturing, which adds depth and visual interest to the cabin. Lexus' warranty is typically better than average.

If you value fuel economy and a reputation for reliability, the UX 250h has you covered. But if you're looking for luxury value-for-money, you'll likely be disappointed. Our test vehicle totaled more than $40,000, right about where the base midsize RX 350 starts. You can opt for a cheaper version with fewer tech and material upgrades, but that starts to get dangerously close to a well-equipped RAV4 Hybrid.

Wildcard

7.5/10

The UX 250h has more personality than the regular UX 200. The design and execution help set it apart from just about every competitor. But that doesn't make it fun. The hybrid UX lacks the gas model's zippiness and adds weight. While the chassis the vehicle shares with the Corolla is predictable and capable of having fun, it's stifled under all the Lexusness and hybridization and needs to really be coaxed out.

2021 Lexus UX 250h trim level differences

The 2021 Lexus UX 250h is a subcompact SUV sold in three trim levels: base, F Sport and Luxury. All use a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a hybrid system to provide a total of 181 horsepower. All-wheel drive is standard, as is a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Lexus also sells the non-hybrid UX 200, which is reviewed separately.

Which UX 250h trim does Edmunds recommend?

Two of the Lexus UX 250h's most appealing attributes are its healthy list of standard features and low price. We don't think it makes much sense to go crazy with the options. So we'd put our money behind the base model. The Premium package is worth adding since it doesn't cost much and brings ventilated front seats, which are a rarity in this class.

Compare 2021 Lexus UX 250h trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Iowa

$93/mo

$156/mo

Avg. Compact SUV

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Reliability

The 2021 Lexus UX 250h has a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic warranty and no recalls. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Recalls

There are no recalls for the 2021 Lexus UX 250h

Warranty

4 years / 50,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 6 years / 70,000 miles
Hybrid component Warranty: 8 years / 100,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 6 years / unlimited miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 4 years / unlimited miles
Free maintenance Warranty: 1 years / 10,000 miles

Lexus UX 250h Owner Reviews

3.9

42 reviews

5(55%)

4(17%)

3(7%)

2(9%)

1(12%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

An Awesome Vehicle With a Few Considerations

Justin, 07/23/2021

2021 Lexus UX 250h 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

A bit about me, I measure less than 6'0" and have been driving a Toyota Prius for the better part of 8 or so years now and just recently purchased the Lexus UX250h as my primary vehicle. Generally speaking, most of my weekly driving is spent on the highway on a commute to work but I also have an occasional several hundred mile drive to visit family and an every now-and-then need to move … cargo like moving boxes, tables, and chairs around for friends. I'm happy to say that I've thoroughly enjoyed practically every bit about this car so far. If I'm being honest, I did have a few hesitations based on some reviews and videos I watched while I was researching online, so I'm going to try to address those points based on my own experience just below: INITIAL RESERVATIONS "the rear seat situation is not roomy enough" I just spent a weekend driving two adults around seated in the rear seats who both measure about 5'6" and neither complained at all about the leg room, head room, or width of the rear seats. Yes, it is slightly smaller than some other vehicles (like the Prius), but the comfort of the seats themselves make it a pleasant and cozy enough ride. Again, highly contingent on how tall you (the driver) and your passengers are, I'd go as far to say that if you are under 6'0" it should be a pretty enjoyable ride throughout. "not enough cargo space in the trunk" Totally subjective to your needs, but I found going from a Prius (which I think has a ton of cargo volume) to this UX250h (less space than the Prius) hasn't been an issue so far. I can fit two golf bags in the rear space when removing the cover and some pretty massive boxes when the rear seats are lowered which has more than suited my needs up to this point. "infotainment trackpad is frustratingly annoying to use" I don't disagree that the trackpad needs some work, but that hasn't been an issue because: A) the most-used controls (for me, that's the A/C controls, radio on/off, and volume control) all have their own physical buttons so I don't have to use the trackpad for the most common functions. I'd like to add that the A/C control buttons are super satisfying to use, I find myself fidgeting with them all the time, kudos to Lexus on not forgetting the little details. B) Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. I have never been a fan of any of the OEM-installed navigation systems ever so the inclusion of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in this vehicle allows me to not only use the GPS app of my preference (Google Maps or Apple Maps are the two I use), it also allows me to use my phone to input things like addresses before I leave for my destination. Again, in this case I don't have to use the trackpad for this function either All that said, the need for the trackpad is minimal, and even when I do have to use it I've now found that after a short while of use I am now used to its somewhat finicky design (i.e. it's not unbearably bad). "not enough horsepower" Once again, completely subjective (you know you), but I've found this has more than enough power for all the everyday driving situations I've run into in life. Merging onto highways, navigating stop-and-go traffic, keeping up with highway speeds so as not to interrupt the flow of traffic, and generally zipping around town have been done with ease. Will I be taking this to the track? Absolutely not. Would I be able to beat out my old Prius merging into a lane? 100%. I've come to grips with the reality that I really only need so much car to get an enjoyable and comfortable ride and this UX250h meets (and even sometimes exceeds) that. Again, been more than happy with this vehicle so far and am looking forward to keeping it for many many years to come.

2021 UX 250h Premium - Perfect for Empty Nesters

James Uzo, 01/30/2022

2021 Lexus UX 250h 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Great vehicle! I agree with all the positive comments made by others. At 10 months old I also experienced the same issue of the vehicle suddenly needing to be boosted after only a few days of inactivity. Lexus service advised that some were having this issue. In one visit to the dealer where they performed two different software upgrades and installed a new battery under warranty, the …

I ❤️ My UX 250H

Bevnap, 07/27/2021

2021 Lexus UX 250h Luxury 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

I bought the luxury trim because that’s what was available. I find this vehicle to be underpriced. I got the birch interior which is light grey with a black accent which is gorgeous. But again it’s what was available. It’s super nice to drive and I find myself driving a little slower cause I like to watch my MPG grow!! (First hybrid). The price is one of the things I like the most. I …

Great choice for urban transportation

KTJadon, 03/29/2021

2021 Lexus UX 250h 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

I had two NX f sports before this which were fantastic. It’s been about a month now with the Ux. I have been intrigued with this since it came on the market. It drives amazingly well for a small wheelbase car. The gas mileage is double that of the nx and takes regular fuel which the nx turbo does not. What I don’t understand is why Lexus got rid of the Siri Hands Free feature that now …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 Lexus UX 250h, so we've included reviews for other years of the UX 250h since its last redesign.

See all 42 reviews of the Lexus UX 250h

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2021 UX 250h Highlights

Trim:

Base

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$35,200
Engine Type	Hybrid
Combined MPG	39 MPG
Cost to Drive	$93/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	17.1 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the UX 250h models:

Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist: Monitors lane markings, warns you if you are drifting, and can even help steer the vehicle back into the lane of travel.
Dynamic Radar Cruise Control: Helps drivers maintain a preset distance by adjusting the vehicle's speed in relation to the vehicle directly ahead.
Intelligent High Beams: Switches between high and low beams automatically by using cues from a camera that helps detect when other vehicles are present.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver4 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover14%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2021 Lexus UX 250h Review

Price & Payment

2021 Lexus UX 250h Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

For sale near Des Moines, IA

Certified 2021 Lexus UX 250hBase 4dr SUV

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

2021 Lexus UX 250hBase 4dr SUV

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

2021 Lexus UX 250h trim level differences

Which UX 250h trim does Edmunds recommend?

Cost to Drive

Reliability

Recalls

Warranty

Lexus UX 250h Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

An Awesome Vehicle With a Few Considerations

2021 UX 250h Premium - Perfect for Empty Nesters

I ❤️ My UX 250H

Great choice for urban transportation

2021 UX 250h Highlights

Safety

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Certified 2021 Lexus UX 250h
Base 4dr SUV

2021 Lexus UX 250h
Base 4dr SUV