When you hear 'SUV', your first thought may be big, solid, off-roaders that are capable of going anywhere and doing anything. No muddy hill is too slippery, no expanse of desert too challenging for an SUV. But as the breed has evolved, SUVs now come in various shapes and forms. Now, discerning drivers who want the best of everything but don't want to get their wheels too muddy can choose a compact SUV that's equally at home on the tarmac of the city streets as it is on a dusty track or twisting mountain road. The compact SUV is one of the fastest-selling models, and at the top of the luxury market is Lexus.
Urban SUVs – perfect for the city
Compact SUVs have their natural home in the city. Whereas larger options like the Lexus LX 570 luxury SUV are a perfect synergy of style, elegance, and brutally rugged good looks, compact versions like the UX 2022 bring to life the concept of the creative urban explorer. Crossovers represent a merging of a sedan interior with an elevated and capable chassis and outer body to give you a higher driving position and better command of your road space without that annoying body roll that some models can suffer from.
That makes them perfect for the city, where a whole raft of different hazards challenge the driver every day. The raised driving position gives you much greater visibility so that your hazard perception is greater. It also gives your passengers a more secure feeling, which is why compact SUVs are a popular family choice.
So if you're in the market for a new SUV but don't want to go too big, what's the best compact option?
The Lexus UX
Dynamic, robust and just a little bit playful, the Lexus UX is a compact SUV/Crossover that loves scampering around both city streets and desert tracks. This little SUV is packed with technology such as three-drive mode, and panoramic view monitors to give you a bird's-eye view of your surroundings.
The 2.0-litre engine has plenty of bottom-end torque to tackle steep inclines yet is serene enough to cope with the daily commute. The interior is refined and soothing, with Nuluxe leather seats and an infotainment centre that’s intuitive and easy to use. The UX is all about the experience, and we believe it’s one of the best luxury SUVs on the market.
The Lexus NX
Take things up a level with the Lexus NX. This sublimely elegant luxury SUV creates a personalized driver experience with that typical go-anywhere-do-anything attitude of a true SUV. However, the compact size and exceptional manoeuvrability of the NX makes it a sheer pleasure to use in the urban environment as well as the open road.
A 2.4litre turbocharged engine gives outstanding performance and blistering acceleration, but with exceptional fuel efficiency too. That makes this a fun car to drive without being too heavy on your wallet. It also makes a great family SUV with the Lexus Safety System+3 that warns of potentially dangerous situations, allowing you to respond accordingly. And with a brand-new NX interface that puts everything at the driver’s fingertips, it’s a genuine joy to use. Refined, elegant, and very hard to beat, we believe that the Lexus NX is the best compact luxury SUV money can buy.
If you’d like to find out more and arrange a test drive, browse our site or contact your nearest Lexus UAE showroom today.