Toyota Corolla vs Lexus UX
What's the difference?

Toyota Corolla

$29,990 - $46,990

2025 price

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Lexus UX

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2026 price

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Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Mercedes-Benz A35

Mercedes-Benz A45

Mercedes-Benz CLA

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Summary

2025 Toyota Corolla

2026 Lexus UX

By Tim Nicholson

By Emily Agar

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Inline 4, 1.8L

Inline 4, 2.0L

Fuel Type

Unleaded Petrol/Electric

Fuel Efficiency

4.0L/100km (combined)

4.2L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Fuel efficient
Fun to drive
Cheap to run

Solid on-road handling
Great fuel economy
Long time between fills

Dislikes

Cabin not as practical as rivals
Tiny boot volume
Ageing interior

Reminds you too often its a base grade
Drive modes largely indistinguishable
Cosy back seat

2025 Toyota Corolla Summary

Up until 2024 when its title was nabbed by the Tesla Model Y, the humble Toyota Corolla has been the world’s best-selling car for quite some time.

A reputation for reliability, affordability, efficiency and in its current guise, being fun to drive, the Corolla has seen off all comers to retain the title of the most popular small car on Earth.

The current twelfth-generation Corolla is now seven years into its life cycle having landed in mid-2018. In that time scores of buyers have moved across into small SUVs, and the Corolla’s competitor set has shrunk dramatically as car brands pull out of the small passenger car segment.

But as we gear up for the next-gen Corolla, is the existing one still worth considering against some newer rivals? And should you look at this instead of a small SUV?

I lived with the mid-range Corolla SX hatchback for a week to find out.

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2026 Lexus UX Summary

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.

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Deep dive comparison

2025 Toyota Corolla 2026 Lexus UX

Verdict

The final score for this review makes it look as though the Corolla is a middling effort. The scores for each individual section of the review are well considered and fair. The Corolla does lack the practicality of some of its rivals. A lack of an ANCAP rating isn’t great and the powertrain is just okay. But it remains one of the most fun-to-drive hatchbacks on the market today, even seven years into its life, and I would wholeheartedly recommend the Corolla to anyone looking for a small car. If you can forgive some of the quirks, it is a reliable, adorable, fun and efficient small car favourite.

Verdict

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.

Toyota Corolla vs Lexus UX What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Toyota Corolla vs Lexus UX
What's the difference?