All-new 2018 Lexus UX small crossover gets official preview

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We’ll see all of it next week at the Geneva Motor Show

Lexus has released the first very revealing photo and video of its all-new UX "urban compact crossover" ahead of the model's official debut at the Geneva Motor Show on March 6. You may be familiar with the name because of the UX Concept Lexus unveiled at the 2016 Paris Motor Show.

What you see now is the production version of that study, and we have to say it looks more toned down than we expected.

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The front end sports a massive iteration of Lexus' spindle grille flanked by a pair of sharp-looking headlights that don't look as "angry" as on the concept. The plastic cladding on the wheel arches and the prominent wings and haunches give the UX a slightly rugged vibe, but somehow the crossover doesn't look as dramatic as the namesake study — and not just because it loses the massive wheels, suicide doors, and sporty window contour.

Anyway, the rest of the photos should help us get a better idea of the UX's styling. The teaser video below provides a glimpse at the taillights, which are connected to one another by an illuminated horizontal bar, as well as the interior. Lexus describes it as "a highly focused driver's cockpit, a wide and inviting passenger space and a commanding view of the road."

The UX is Lexus' smallest crossover, slotting below the NX in the automaker's lineup. It's similar in size to the Toyota C-HR, but size isn't the only thing these two models have in common. They're based on the same GA-C version of the TNGA platform, with Lexus claiming "exceptional body rigidity and a low center of gravity for the agile handling of a hatchback."

There's not much else Lexus is willing to reveal about the UX other than it features "superior craftsmanship and imaginative technology features." However, the "Hybrid" lettering on the rear doors is a clear sign the UX will offer hybrid powertrains, unlike the US-spec Toyota C-HR. In Europe, the C-HR sources the 122-hp hybrid system from the Prius.

READ MORE: All the 2018 Geneva Motor Show debuts announced so far