2026 Lexus UX 300h Gets Pricier – Is a 2025 a Smarter Buy?
The Lexus UX has always been in a tough spot—a stylish, thrifty hybrid overshadowed by the brand’s roomier NX and RX. Now, Lexus is rolling out the 2026 Lexus UX 300h with a higher price tag. With sales already slow (only 6,899 units sold year-to-date as of September 2025), this price hike begs the question: is the new model worth the extra cash, or is a discounted 2025 model the real deal?
What’s New for the 2026 Lexus UX 300h? (Spoiler: Not Much)
This is not a major update. The 2025 model year saw the big changes, including the introduction of the more responsive 196-horsepower hybrid powertrain and a lightweight lithium-ion battery. The 2026 model is, for all intents and purposes, a carryover.
The Price Hike
The base front-wheel-drive 2026 Lexus UX 300h now starts at $38,250 (including destination). The top-tier AWD F Sport Handling model climbs to $48,240. While not a massive jump, it’s still an increase for a vehicle with no significant mechanical changes.
Same Hybrid Heart, New Paint
Performance is identical. The 196-hp hybrid system, the new transaxle, and the FWD/AWD motor outputs are all unchanged from 2025.
The updates for 2026 are almost entirely cosmetic:
- New Colors: Ultra White is now an option for Base and Premium grades. F Sport models get a new monotone Caviar option.
- Interior Trim: Door panels receive revised switchgear and a bit more chrome, while the F Sport Handling trim gets new “hairline-finished” trim pieces.
Smarter Safety (Slightly)
The only real “tech” upgrade is a minor enhancement to the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0. This adds:
- Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist
- Left-Turn Oncoming Vehicle Detection/Braking
- Updated Curve Speed Management (for adaptive cruise)
While good features, these are subtle software tweaks, not a reason to trade in your 2025 model.
Expert Analysis: 2026 UX vs. 2025 Inventory
This is where the decision becomes crystal clear for buyers. With the 2026 model offering no new performance and only marginal updates, the value proposition of the leftover 2025 inventory is impossible to ignore.
A quick search of dealer listings shows meaningful discounts on remaining 2025 models. Most Base, Premium, and F Sport Design trims are seeing discounts of around $1,000 off MSRP. This means you can get a 2025 model—which has the exact same 196-hp powertrain—for significantly less than the already-pricier 2026 version.
The One Exception: F Sport Handling
There is one single scenario where the 2026 model makes more sense: the F Sport Handling.
According to the data, 2025 F Sport Handling models are showing no discounts and, in some cases, are listed higher than the 2026’s $48,240 MSRP. If you’re shopping for the absolute top-of-the-line trim, you should buy the 2026. You’ll get the slightly updated safety tech for the same (or even less) money.
Conclusion
The verdict on the 2026 Lexus UX 300h is simple. For 90% of buyers, this is a clear-cut case where the old model is a smarter buy.
- If you are buying a Base, Premium, or F Sport Design: Do not buy the 2026 model. Find a discounted 2025 model on a dealer lot. You will get the same car and save yourself at least $1,000 plus the 2026 price increase.
- If you are buying the F Sport Handling: Buy the 2026 model. It’s the only trim where the pricing and new safety features align to make it the better value.
Which model would you choose? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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