Don C

It’s more of a mid life refresh and in this case it is more to accommodate the new drivetrain. I think it has to come because currently they have the V4 in our UX and the quite different V5 in the Toyota products - it makes no sense. The electronic gear stub goes with the new powertrain so that’s an obvious change and then throw in the other bits and bobs. The media slate its AWD capabilities in the snow so it will be interesting to see how it fares with the heavily upgraded rear motor. I’m suitably seduced by the spec to be interested in upgrading.

Yes it will and all 4 doors get smart entry. Both side mirrors will be electrochromic.

It won’t but this is an inch over.

I go into immediate master doubt mode when I hear dealer expert master tech Tim, Fred or anything else. It just means that Timothy the ex cold call sales guy has been on more courses that the others. It is true that an engine with direct injection (ours has direct and indirect injection) can dilute the oil but if it’s done it by an inch and you can smell petrol in it, it ain’t going to evaporate it back under the fill line. It just demonstrates his lack of experience and knowledge. If you're sure he said condensation then he’s talking about water probably which as some of the others have alluded to above and that amount will ruin your engine but you’d see that because it turns the oil milky. Petrol gets past the pistons under certain conditions but we’re talking towards a litre here. It would be better coming out if there’s any doubt about what has caused it. If the oil is still relatively clear as I would expect at 2000 miles, it’s just overfilled but if it stinks of petrol, some of that is dilution and it needs to come out rather than drained to the full mark. You should pay attention and dip the oil the day after service because now there will be an argument about who’s paying and 0W/16 isn’t cheap.

Their back door kick sensor has reappeared. I wonder if ours will.

I’m not lecturing but I recently had the opportunity to buy the cleanest 21 plate Premium Pack Plus in existence but as tempting as it was I was insistent that my mrs would get her ventilated seats and I would not let the price cloud the fact it had that demonic track pad - once bitten. I just had to wait and get the latest version with the seats and a touchscreen because updating is never as easy or economical as it sounds.

Don’t put a deposit down until we’ve had a chat!!!

I live in the High Peak where it’s very hilly and it’s virtually impossible to get good fuel consumption. If I head out onto the Cheshire Plain things get better. However, it’s a hefty 2 litre V4 hybrid. The V5s are now in production and they are so much better so things are about to change.

The spec of the new 300h say “Ultra Wide Band Security” whatever that means!

I didn’t name it but I suppose I could think of something a little more exotic based on cement like Granny Clampet’s “Ceement Pond”.

I have three new Lexi and they all had a full tank of fuel. They come factory fitted with carpet maps and I’ve always got mudflaps after asking.

The car has a visual presence and is accentuated by the pronounced flanks - it is a very good looking small car. It looks much wider than a Yaris Cross although it looks like it sits a little lower. I actually didn’t drive it because my two mates were more serious about getting one (one ordered a Takumi in Cement Grey). I sat in the back. Leg room is as expected being quite tight with two six footers in the front. It was very quiet - much quieter than the Cross and my mate who is very precise about such things said it pulled noticeably better - it certainly seemed to do with four blokes in it. The engine was very smooth and while the 3 cylinder growl was heard once on the motorway, it was very subdued and totally acceptable. The cabin layout is superb. The mirrors and windows are just as silent as the larger models. It is just altogether nice. I will not buy one because they don’t offer ventilated seats in any model (important to my mrs) so I will keep the UX and think about the forthcoming UX300h when the time comes.

Went out I is today. Really nice - it’s definitely a Lexus.

Something wrong with it. Mine is fantastic.

A lot of these journalists are incompetent. That lass off Auto Social reckons the steering wheel is too masculine - wtf? Stick to “Wind blows mans hat off”. Of course our own little forum will be quick to criticise before they are out on the road.

The 300h spec and servicing instructions are on Lexus Techdoc now.

Not that I’m aware of. I know you can on some makes but the Japanese tend to make it a conscious action so you can’t inadvertently leave the car with it on. There’s no dealer option to set it.

It’s computer controlled so when it detects the slightest slip at the front it brings in a corresponding amount of assistance from the rear. I use the word assistance because it isn’t a full powered rear motor but in my experience it does a good job especially with all season tyres. The 300h which launches later in the year has a very powerful motor if that is important to you. In both cases the rear motor links in with the VSC to improve stability in difficult conditions.

There is. I just can’t remember where.

They’re taking up valuable space!

I’ll sell you 4 new ones for £200 - latest version Bridgestones.

The only thing on a pre 2022 model (blue badges) that might drive you mad is that confounded trackpad. When I bought my 2020 NX, I thought it was journalistic tosh but I hated the thing. I don’t agree with touchscreens that work with the car in motion but they’re better than that trackpad. Try before you buy is my advice.

The run flats were changed with the latest model. They’re not bad now.

I’ve never had it flatten but I’m pedantic at keeping it clean. Frequent wipes bring the pile up. I chose ash grey interior because it’s light and I can see any dirt. I go round and do the door shuts every wash and I use an Autoglym synthetic leather to wipe the seats every week. Stubborn marks get the autoglym interior cleaner and they get an occasional leather wipe. I’ll go synthetic if it’s an option next time.

I went all season from day one. I had a little compressor and gunge kit so I’ve just renewed the gunge. Trouble is, I’ve got four brand new runflats now. Make me a daft offer anyone?