• Disappointing lack of interior and boot space
• Boot is absolutely tiny in E-Four models
• Seating for four passengers only

How much space is there?

The Lexus UX’s body is more of a coupe-ish hatchback than a traditional SUV shape. While it’s a rather stylish look, it means interior space isn’t as generous as you might expect for this type of car. There’s plenty of leg and shoulder room up front, though some of our taller testers found headroom was a bit tight. Add in the comparatively low seating position and pinched window line, and the front of the UX doesn’t feel as expansive as the BMW X1 or Volvo XC40.

Space in the back is heavily compromised. There are three seat belts, but even a trio of children would feel squeezed together. All our testers – who cover a wide range of body types – thought head and legroom was too tight for adults to be comfortable for more than a short journey.

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On top of that, the rear door opening is pretty narrow and there aren’t any door pockets back there, underlining the sense that backseat passengers were merely an afterthought for Lexus’s designers. Any rival you care to mention, even overtly coupe-shaped ones such as the BMW X2, are more accommodating in the back.

Boot space and storage

Practicality is also hampered by the boot, which has a high loading lip with a flush floor, leaving only a shallow space between the boot floor and the flimsy luggage cover. Front-wheel drive models have more storage below this level, but even the maximum 320 litres is pretty pathetic for this class of car. For comparison, the BMW X1 has 476 litres of space, and the Jaguar E-Pace has 425 litres. Folding the back seats down creates up to 1,231 litres space – still not great.

In E-Four all-wheel drive models, that underfloor area is lost, reducing boot space to a paltry 283 litres. That’s less than a Vauxhall Corsa supermini has. And the powered tailgate is slow to open and close.

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It may appear to be a family car, but the UX’s credentials are pretty hopeless in that regard. Even the smaller Lexus LBX is more practical. But the UX is probably practical enough for single people and couples who rarely need a lot of back seat and boot space.

Is it easy to park?

The UX is small inside because it’s small outside – its exterior dimensions being closer to an Audi Q2 than the Audi Q3 it supposedly competes with. And that makes parking and manoeuvring easier than it can be in its more substantial rivals.

Most models have a reversing camera and front and rear parking sensors. Some also have a very nifty 360-degree camera system that allows you to tailor the view it gives of the car’s surroundings to suit the particular circumstances.

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How safe is the UX?

• Five-star Euro NCAP rating
• Lots of standard driver assistance features
• And they’re pretty effective

The Lexus UX was awarded a full five-star rating by car safety body Euro NCAP when it was assessed in 2019. It provides occupants with very strong protection in a crash and every model is loaded with driver assistance features – which are marketed under the Lexus Safety System+ banner. They include:

• Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection
• Lane keeping assistance
• Traffic sign recognition
• Driver attention monitor
• SOS call button
• Adaptive cruise control
• Automatic headlight high beam

Some models also have blindspot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert. Two sets of Isofix child seat mounts are on the outer rear seats.