What's the difference?
Replacing the long-standing UX250h, the more powerful Lexus UX300h hybrid sits at the luxury end of the compact SUV segment, and the latest update brings a refined line-up along with tweaks to both design and technology. In this review, I’m looking at the base Luxury grade to see what it's like to live with this hybrid day-today and how it stacks up against its nearest rivals.
Land Rover was making SUVs before they were even called SUVs.
Range Rovers were ferrying families around in prestigious four-wheel drive comfort decades before Audi, BMW or Mercedes-Benz even thought of doing it, too.
So, even with all its rivals these days, how well does a Range Rover do modern family duties?
Well the Range Rover Autobiography came to live with my little family of four for a week. We had the seven-seater long-wheelbase version with the twin-turbo petrol V8 engine, and this is what we discovered…
The updated Lexus UX300h Luxury is a solid entry in the premium compact SUV segment. It doesn’t break new ground, and there are areas that could be improved, but it handles well, offers a thoughtful selection of amenities for a base-grade luxury model, and its compact size makes it easy to park almost anywhere. For buyers seeking a stylish, efficient, and practical hybrid with a luxury badge, it’s a dependable choice.
The Range Rover Autobiography long wheelbase is an outstanding SUV that is not just beautiful to drive but makes family practicality a priority, too,
The price is reasonable relative to the competition, the features list is long and complementary servicing offers peace of mind.
If you don’t need the third row, I’d consider the standard wheelbase Autobiography even if it does reduce legroom, there’s still plenty of space.
My son stopped short of giving the Range Rover Autobiography full marks "because there are no massaging seats in the second row".
The updated Lexus UX is technically a compact SUV, but it feels more like a hatchback that's taken a small dose of steroids. The facelift brings a sharper look with a stylised 3D spindle grille, new air intake vents, fresh 17-inch alloy wheels, updated daytime running lights and a full-width rear light bar. The sculpted bodywork still showcases Lexus’ signature origami-like panelling and, overall, it’s a handsome little thing. That said, the heavy use of black plastic moulding around the lower edges detracts from its premium appeal.
Inside, the cabin takes a more understated approach. Up front it feels premium-enough, with synthetic leather trims, soft-touchpoints and those high-tech dual 12.3-inch displays headlining the dash. Your eye moves smoothly across the layout without lingering too long on any single element, which adds to the sense of elegance.
Not everything feels top-tier, though. Hard plastics are still scattered throughout the cabin, and they’re especially noticeable in the back seat where the doors have very little in the way of a soft surface. Yes, this is the base grade, but in a car wearing a luxury badge, it’s something you notice more than you should.
This fifth-generation Range Rover debuted in 2021 and despite its smooth, modern styling this SUV retains the familiar traditional Range Rover look with the short squared bonnet, flat roofline and tall windows.
Let’s talk about the wheelbase, because it has a huge impact on passenger space.
We had the long wheelbase which is 3197mm between the front and rear wheels - that’s 200mm more than the standard wheelbase.
Just look at those stretched rear doors in the photos - this is a go-anywhere limousine, or go-anywhere daycare centre in my case.
The overall length of the long wheelbase Range Rover is 5252mm. That’s big, but the design of this SUV doesn’t make it appear enormous.
What I don't like are the retractable door handles. They take a while to pop out and they look and feel cheap. Land Rover has used these on its other SUVs and if I had time I’d pen a letter asking the company to please stop. I’m sincerely hoping this review will do the same thing. I await your response JLR.
I think the tail-lights are pure genius. The pencil thin design is such a brave move away from the norm where brands are going over the top with LED lighting, and the simplicity is refreshing.
Inside, a traditional-looking Range Rover cabin awaits you with the flat dashboard, the low window sills contrasted by super modern touches like the displays and fully digital dials.
It’s sumptuous, luxurious, but not over the top. Again some people are looking for bling and gimmicks, but you won’t find them here - and I like that. This interior feels solid and substantial, but plush.
The UX is a compact SUV, so it's best not to expect a sprawling interior. The front row offers the best space and comfort, with wide door openings and a ground clearance that makes it easy to hop in without any grunts. The seats are comfortable enough on long drives, although some fatigue creeps in on the passenger side due to the lack of lumbar support. Both front seats are power-adjustable and heated, and with the steering wheel also adjusting electrically, it’s easy to dial in a good driving position.
Move to the rear seats, and space becomes noticeably tighter for adults. At 168cm, my knees press against the seat in front, and even my eight-year-old asked me to slide the passenger seat forward this week. That said, he’s been mostly comfortable thanks to the wide door openings, lightweight doors and well-padded seats.
My son did point out that the tall window sills make it hard to see out, which could be a deal breaker for younger passengers. There are three top tether anchor points, but fitting three child seats across is unrealistic.
Storage is on the slim side, but the dual-opening centre console is clever, and there are two cupholders and drink bottle holders up front. The rear row only gets a single map pocket and two cupholders. A few more cubbies for things like sunglasses or keys would be welcome, as the cabin can quickly feel cluttered if you’re not careful.
Technology is neatly integrated. The dual 12.3-inch displays look sharp with clear graphics, and the touchscreen is responsive. The updated operating system isn’t a big leap forward, but it’s easy to use and the wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto work seamlessly. There’s also sat nav, a wireless charging pad, four USB-C ports, a single USB-A port and a 12-volt socket for charging.
The boot looks modest at first glance, especially with the floor set in its highest position, but it still swallowed a big grocery shop with no fuss. Officially, capacity is 364 litres, which makes it the smallest compared to its nearest rivals, although the adjustable floor helps with taller items or creates a handy nook for smaller ones.
A bigger drawback is the lack of a spare tyre as you only get a repair kit. For city drivers that might be fine, but for those of us who live regionally or do longer trips, a spare tyre is a must-have. On the plus side, the powered tailgate with kick function is standard here, whereas rivals make you pay extra for it.
Range Rovers have been a family favourite for decades and they’ve been doing school runs and trips away long before other brands even thought about producing SUVs for families.
So what you’re buying is Land Rover’s decades of knowing how to make a family SUV and you can tell by little things such as, how wide the doors open, how easy it is to get in and out of (even for little kids), the flat floor, the good visibility (thanks to low window sills), and then there’s the space and cabin storage. Stuff other brands seem to be still working out.
The second row seats in the Autobiography have electric sun shades, dual-zone climate control and the window seats are power adjustable and heated.
My eight-year old couldn’t resist playing with his electric sunshade and the seat adjustment, but fortunately the driver has an override switch which let me turn off his 'seat privileges’ as he called it.
Being the long wheelbase means the rear doors are long and heavy. So while the eight-year old could open them, he had trouble closing them.
The long wheelbase offers unrivalled legroom in the back and that meant my wife and I could put our own seats back further for our own comfort -even with a baby seat behind us.
Enormous door pockets, a giant centre console storage area, cupholders in all three rows, USB ports, wireless phone charging and in our case an optional domestic power outlet ($130) made this a comfortable, roomy, well equipped cabin.
Sure, the third row isn’t exactly spacious, but I’ve never met one that is.
The intelligent seat folding system is remarkable. From the boot or side doors you can electronically adjust the second and third rows - either to raise them or lower them so they are flat for storage.
With all seats in place there is 229 litres of cargo space still left in the boot, but with those back seats folded flat you have 713 litres of capacity - and that’s just up to the cargo cover.
The Range Rover Autobiography has air suspension and this means the SUV can lower itself to an 'Access' height to make it even easier to get in and out.
The new Lexus UX300h is offered in three grades, and the grade tested here is the entry-level Luxury, priced from $55,370 before on-road costs. That positions it right in the middle of its rivals, with the Audi Q2 35TFSI S starting at $49,400 and the Volvo XC40 kicking off from $56,990.
The Luxury grade brings a solid list of standard equipment. While it won’t blow your socks off, it does offer good value-for-money compared to its premium competitors where a lot of features have to be added for additional cost. Highlights include powered front seats with heat function, synthetic ‘NuLux’ leather upholstery and trims, dual 12.3-inch displays and a upgraded OS for the multimedia system. You’ll also find a 10-speaker sound system and seamless wireless phone mirroring for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Technology extends further with built-in satellite navigation, Bluetooth, digital radio, reversing camera, two USB-C ports in each row, plus a USB-A port, 12-volt socket and wireless charging pad up front.
Practical features like keyless entry and start, dual-zone climate control, dusk-sensing headlights, updated daytime running lights, rain-sensing wipers, electrically adjustable steering wheel and a powered tailgate with kick function.
A three-year complimentary membership to the Lexus Encore program rounds out the package. Members gain access to the Lexus Connected Services phone app where you can customise your driver profile and have access to a digital key but there are a range of benefits from supporting partners like Westfield and Ampol to enjoy as well.
The Autobiography sits high in the Range Rover line-up and only the SVO (Special Vehicle Operations) models command higher prices.
Our Range Rover Autobiography was the long-wheelbase with the twin-turbo petrol V8 engine and has a list price of $312,193.
The standard features include retractable door handles with a proximity key, the LED headlights and tail-lights, a power tailgate and the panoramic sunroof.
Inside, 'Caraway' perforated semi-aniline leather seats are standard, too. So is a 13.1-inch screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus sat nav. There’s a fully digital driver display, a head-up display, wireless phone charging, and a Meridian 'Signature' sound system.
Four-zone climate control is standard and will keep the kids comfortable in the back, while the sun shades will project them from that giant fireball in the sky.
Up front there are heated and cooled seats which also massage, while the outboard rear seats are heated and power adjustable.
Our Autobiography was the seven-seater and it’s only about $1600 more than the five-seat version.
Ours had a few options fitted - there are the 23-inch wheels, the standard alloys are 22-inch, there’s also the black contrasting roof and the privacy glass which is so dark it’s almost impossible to look in.
All up the total list price for ours came to $318,603.
The UX300h Luxury runs a hybrid setup that pairs a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with two small electric motors. Combined, the system produces 146kW of power, and it drives through an electronic continuously variable transmission (eCVT). This powertrain sees it outmuscle the old UX250h by 15kW.
On paper, those new outputs sit neatly in the middle of this segment. Out on the road, though, the hybrid assistance helps the UX feel a little more sprightly than the numbers suggest. The electric motors give it an eager step-off from traffic lights and smooth power delivery around town, while the petrol engine takes over when more effort is needed.
It's a good combination for a little car.
The 4.4-litre twin-turbo petrol V8 is a perfect match for the Range Rover Autobiography.
There’s enormous power at 390kW and a colossal 750Nm of torque, but it’s delivered so smoothly and without sounding like Armageddon is beginning.
You might here the engine referred to as the P530. That signifies it’s petrol and makes about 530 horsepower.
All that grunt means that despite weighing more than 2.7 tonnes, this SUV can hurl itself from a stand still to 100km/h in 4.8 seconds.
An eight-speed automatic sends the drive to all four wheels. And making this SUV incredibly capable off-road is an excellent four-wheel drive system with a low range gear, plus a maximum ground clearance (thanks to the adjustable air suspension) of 283mm and a wading depth of up to 900mm.
There is a six-cylinder diesel, but if you decide on that instead of the V8 then it's all over between you and me. That’s how good this V8 is.
Fuel efficiency is a real strength. Lexus claims 4.2L/100km on the combined cycle, which is impressive against petrol-only competitors. With a 43L tank, you’re looking at a theoretical driving range of over 1000km between fills.
In my week of mixed open-road and urban driving, I saw a real-world figure of 5.0L/100km, and that’s without holding back on using the available power, which makes the claim feel very achievable.
Now, you’re going to use a lot of fuel. But that’s okay because this will probably be your last petrol car and the next one will be electric so let’s go out with a bang - last drinks at the petrol bar! Land Rover says you’ll use 11.8L/100km.
After a week of punishing my Range Rover with school drop offs, shopping centre car parks, hilly suburbs, motorways and rural roads the petrol pump told me we’d used 19.8L/100km.
I’m not shocked by that consumption. This is a 2.7 tonne all-wheel drive twin-turbo V8 SUV that was almost always ferrying around four people with a pram, garden supplies and shopping in bumper to bumper traffic. A real world fuel test.
There is that six-cylinder diesel and a hybrid version of the Range Rover, but this V8 engine suits the character of the SUV perfectly - anything else and it’s like eating reduced fat ice cream.
The UX300h Luxury proves itself to be a versatile little SUV. It offers ample power with prompt acceleration, making it easy to confidently take a gap in traffic or keep pace on the open road. It feels like a solid all-rounder that balances everyday usability with just enough grunt when you need it.
There are three selectable drive modes, though in practice they don’t feel dramatically different. The hybrid system can sometimes sound a little flustered at times as it switches between the two components, but it doesn’t translate into anything unsettling from behind the wheel. The actual driving experience remains smooth and predictable.
Ride comfort is another strength. The suspension does a good job of soaking up small bumps, and unless you’re on the highway in torrential rain, the cabin stays impressively quiet.
Visibility is mostly good, although the A- and B-pillars can occasionally intrude from the driver’s seat. It’s never enough to be a deal breaker, but worth noting. Where the UX really shines is in tight spaces because its 10.4m turning circle and compact dimensions makes it stupidly easy to park. The reversing camera is clear, though for a car wearing a luxury badge, it feels like a missed opportunity not to include a 360-degree camera as standard.
Driving the V8-powered, long-wheelbase, 2.7-tonne, Range Rover Autobiography is a lot easier than it sounds. Really, it’s the Range Rover’s height above sea level which will strike you first.
You’ll lord it over other cars. The length doesn’t come into it - even for parking because the visibility is so good, the steering is so light and the engine is civilised and smooth.
This is truly an easy and enjoyable SUV to drive, with power and performance whenever you need it.
There are several drive modes from a 'Dynamic' sporty one, which makes the engine more responsive and suspension firmer, to off-road settings.
Most of the time I left the Range Rover in 'Comfort' mode for the softest ride, but with 530 horsepower lurking in the background ready to jump out and eat up hills and overtaking.
The front seats are wide, comfortable and supportive even after hours of driving.
The UX300h Luxury comes equipped with Lexus Safety System+, covering the essentials and more. Standard features include lane keeping aid, lane departure alert, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, front collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, rear seat alert, safe exit assist, ISOFIX child seat mounts, three top tether anchor points and tyre pressure monitoring.
Dusk-sensing headlights, rain-sensing wipers, and the restyled LED daytime running lights further improve visibility and overall safety.
The UX has a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating from testing conducted in 2019, scoring highly across all individual assessments. While the updated model hasn’t yet been re-tested under the latest criteria, its suite of standard safety technologies and solid crash history should offer some reassurance.
The UX has autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection and is operational from 10 - 180km/h but it is normal to see this begin from 5.0km/h on competitors.
The Range Rover was given the maximum five-star ANCAP rating when it was tested in 2022.
For second-row child occupant protection the Range Rover scored a high 86 per cent in frontal and side impacts.
Standard safety tech includes AEB (junction and forward) with cyclists and pedestrian detection, there’s blind-spot warning, lane keeping assistance and rear cross-traffic alert, but no rear AEB.
For child seats there are ISOFIX mounts in the second row, and top tether anchor points in the second row and third rows.
Along with an entire suite of airbags it’s good to see a centre airbag up front and also head-covering curtain airbags all three rows.
The UX300h Luxury comes with a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, which is comparable to its nearest rivals, although we’re seeing increasingly generous terms from mainstream brands.
Servicing is straightforward thanks to a five-year capped-price program, with each service costing $595. The intervals are well spaced at every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.
This grade also includes a three-year complimentary membership to the Lexus Encore program. Membership brings access to the Lexus Connected Services phone app, allowing you to customise your driver profile and even use a digital key. Beyond that, Encore members enjoy perks with supporting partners, including Westfield and Ampol.
There's around 40 official Lexus service centres located around Australia but you can make use of its sister brand's (Toyota) service centres if you're in a pinch.
The warranty is good with five-years and unlimited kilometre coverage.
There’s also five years roadside assistance and a complimentary five-year/130,000km service plan.
Yep, that's complimentary, as in free servicing for five years. I didn’t believe it myself and called Land Rover to check and was told that it does indeed mean free-of-charge.