What's the difference?
Most cars get secretly cheapened as they travel through their model lifecycles.
Yes, while facelifts often usher in headline advances like updated electronics and more equipment to boost attention, in too many cases, engineers are forced to cut costs, especially where they cannot be very easily detected, such as with removed sound-deadening, inferior carpet quality and deleted minor items, like bonnet struts. Hello, latest Ford Ranger!
Every cent saved is extra profit made.
Now, we cannot tell at what level – if any – the penny-pinchers pilfered the Lexus UX for its Series II update last year, but the completely unexpected result is a small SUV/crossover that feels and drives noticeably better than before.
Keep reading to find out how and why.
The Toyota Corolla Cross launched back in 2022 as a lifted crossover SUV version of one of the most iconic cars ever. It helped bridge the gap between the Corolla and the RAV4.
Three years on and it’s now mid-life facelift time. There are new looks inside and out, as well as some new tech and bling to catch your attention.
Competition is continually heating up in the small SUV segment, especially for those with hybrid engines, but is the updated Corolla Cross the pick of the bunch?
Most cars get worse as they age as their makers try and save pennies by scrimping on quality and features. But the reverse seems to be true for the Lexus UX.
The 250h Luxury 2WD we tested is the car that the brand should have launched with back in 2018, with an appealing balance of performance and economy, comfort and sporty handling, as well as refinement and features. The UX has finally come of age.
The Corolla Cross is still an incredibly sensible car if you’re needing to buy a car, but you’re not a car person. Everything is intuitive and easy, allowing you to focus on driving.
This update has helped make this car stand out a bit more, but it’s still a bit vanilla. The Hyundai Kona, for example, offers more character. Also the asking price, especially at the top end, is creeping eerily close to RAV4 territory.