Lexus UX vs Skoda Karoq

What's the difference?

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.

This new entry-level Karoq gives the already accomplished mid-size SUV an even sharper value-for-money edge. On top of that it's space efficient, hugely practical and economical. Safety's up to speed, the ownership package is solid and it's a quiet, refined drive. Before joining the RAV4 queue, we'd suggest giving this Skoda some serious thought.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with accommodation and meals provided.

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.

Skoda's distinctively broad, vertically slatted grille stands the brand apart, and even after six years in market the Karoq looks crisp and contemporary with chiselled character lines and jagged head and tail-lights blending successfully with more gently curved surfaces along the car's flanks and turret.

It might be a subconscious side-effect of knowing Skoda is part of the VW Group, but I can't help seeing hints of Tiguan here and there, particularly around the side windows and rear end.

But cool touches like aero-influenced inserts in the 18-inch alloy rims reinforce the Karoq's individual look.

Move to the inside and while the 8.0-inch central media touchscreen and 8.0-inch digital instrument display are on the pace the overall design shows the car's age.

Quality trim materials lift the tone, the cloth seats with contrast stitching look (and feel) great, but the understated dash design in particular is 'traditional', the vibe accentuated by liberal use of piano black highlight elements.

That said, the mix of on-screen functions and physical controls works well ergonomically and the leather-trimmed, partially-perforated, flat-bottom steering wheel is hard to fault.

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.

In terms of dimensions, at just under 4.4m long, a bit more than 1.8m wide and a fraction over 1.6m tall the Karoq is a relatively small medium SUV.

Yet, its 2638mm wheelbase means there's enough space between the axles for generous accommodation front and rear with enough room left over for a decent boot.

There's ample room for me, at 183cm, in the front with plenty of breathing space between driver and co-pilot. Not to mention heaps of storage including big door bins with room for large bottles, an open area in the centre console under an extending and height-adjustable centre armrest, various coin and oddments slots, a good size glove box, a broad lidded dash-top compartment and a drop down box near the driver's right knee.

Move to the rear, and sitting behind the driver's seat set to my position, I've got good head, leg and shoulder room. Best for two adults, although three would be possible for (cozy) short trips.

Three up to teenage kids will be fine back there, but if your kids are in a capsule, child seat or booster you'll be good with two but three will be a bridge too far.

Again there are door bins with enough room for oversize bottles, three cupholders in the fold-down centre armrest (one is 'venti'-sized) as well an oddments tray at the back of the front centre console and map pockets on the front seat backs. Adjustable ventilation is another plus.

With all seats up the Karoq offers a healthy 588 litres (VDA) of storage space, expanding to 1810L with the 60/40 split rear seat folded. A rear seat 'ski-port' style door also increases flexibility.

There are numerous bag and tie-down hooks as well as thoughtful storage spaces around the boot space. A full-size (speed limited) spare sits under the floor and while the tailgate misses out on power assistance, there's a typically useful dangling grab handle to help with closing.

For those keen on towing the FWD Karoq is rated up to a 1.5-tonne braked trailer (750kg unbraked).

To tempt people away from the Toyota RAV4 juggernaut you need a distinctive brand personality, which the Karoq has in spades, as well as a standard features list long enough to entice but not so lengthy that it sends the asking price over the top.

And this new Karoq entry-grade model is set at $39,990, drive-away, which is a shot across the bow of the base RAV4 GX 2WD sitting at $39,760, before on-road costs.

It's also in the same ballpark as the X-Trail ST five-seat 2WD ($37,250 before on-roads) and Outlander ES five-seat 2WD ($37,740 BOC).

So, the balancing act between price and equipment lands with standard feature highlights including dual-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, 18-inch alloy rims, auto LED headlights, an 8.0-inch multimedia touchscreen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a reversing camera, built-in nav and eight-speaker audio.

That's pretty handy, although it's worth noting while the start is keyless, entry to the car isn't, and while the Karoq Style and SportLine boast an auto tailgate, this grade misses out.

Clearly, there's been careful fine-tuning of the value equation but the car maintains a premium look and feel that stacks up well in the segment.

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 Karoq is powered by a 1.4-litre, all-alloy, direct-injected, turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine sending 110kW (at 6000rpm) and 250Nm (from 1500-3500rpm) to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

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.

Skoda's official combined cycle fuel economy number for the Karoq is 6.5L/100km, the 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine emitting 147g/km of CO2 in the process.

On the launch drive program for this new entry-level model, covering city, B-road and freeway running along the coast south of Sydney, NSW, we recorded an average of 7.6L/100km.

That's useful for a conventional combustion engine without the benefit of electric hybrid assistance. Worth noting, however, minimum fuel requirement is the pricier 95 RON premium unleaded.

You'll need 50 litres of it to fill the tank which equates to a theoretical driving range of 770km using the official figure or around 660km using our on-test result.

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.

Despite riding on sizeable 18-inch alloys (shod with 215/50 Goodyear Eagle F1 rubber), first impressions behind the Karoq's wheel are dominated by how composed and refined it is.

Even on coarse, irregular B-roads the car remains supple yet balanced and well buttoned down in the corners. The steering is nicely weighted and road feel is good.

Skoda says the Karoq will accelerate from 0-100km/h in 9.2 seconds, which isn't ferociously fast but the 1.4-litre turbo four delivers its peak pulling power from 1500-3500rpm, which means you're never short of mid-range urge.

The smooth eight-speed auto also helps keep things on the boil although power delivery isn't always linear. Squeeze the throttle and the engine can take half a beat before responding in something of a rush.

Shift from 'Normal' to 'Sport' mode and the transmission will respond more urgently, holding on to ratios longer and changing down more readily. And if you want full control, move the lever over into the 'Tiptronic' manual position for satisfyingly rapid changes on-demand.

The engine remains quiet, only making its presence felt at higher revs, the supportive front seats remain comfortable over lengthy stints and the brakes (vented discs front, solid rotors rear) deliver firm, progressive stopping power even under the pressure of an enthusiastic twisty backroad run.

Under the heading of miscellaneous observations, the multimedia system is easy to navigate and quick to respond, the extending, height-adjustable front centre armrest is brilliant and the adaptive cruise system responds to changes quickly yet calmly.

The Skoda Karoq's previous five-out-of-five ANCAP star rating has timed out, given the assessment was from 2017, so it's now unrated.

But that doesn't mean it's underdone in terms of active crash-avoidance tech, this base version featuring AEB (operational from 4.0-250km/h) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, 'Lane Assist', 'Side Assist' (with rear cross-traffic alert), Parking Distance Control (front and rear), a reversing camera, rear AEB as well as tyre-pressure and fatigue monitoring.

If a crash is unavoidable, there are seven airbags on-board - dual front, front side, full-length side curtain and a driver's knee bag.

Multi-collision brake minimises the chances of subsequent collisions following an initial impact and there are three top tethers and two ISOFIX anchors for baby capsules and/or child seats across the second row.

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.

Skoda is ahead of the mainstream pack, offering a seven-year, unlimited kilometre warranty, which is two years up on the majority of the Karoq's competitors.

Roadside Assist is complimentary for the first year, renewed annually if you have your Karoq serviced at an authorised Skoda dealer.

The main service interval is 12 months/15,000km, which is in line with most of the competition, and Skoda offers a seven-year service pack for $2750, or $393 per workshop visit, which is competitive with much of the segment but some way off the Toyota RAV4 non-hybrid at $215 per service on a capped-price deal.

On top of that, through Skoda Choice you can opt for a Guaranteed Future Value offer ranging up to five years, with variable deposit and finance currently at a 6.99 per cent rate.

At the end of the term you can trade-in for a new Skoda, pay out the balloon amount and keep the car or simply hand it back.