All the Best Lexus Compact Cars

Lexus’s best compact cars are the UX, the brand’s first-ever subcompact SUV, and the IS, a compact, entry-level sports sedan.
Written by Mary Cahill
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
The
smallest Lexus is the 2022 UX
, which is classified as a subcompact SUV and happens to be the most affordable vehicle offered by the luxury car brand—plus there’s a hybrid version. If SUVs just aren’t your thing, there’s also the 2022 Lexus IS, an entry-level compact sports sedan. 
Lexus understands the trend toward larger vehicles and, like many car brands, they’ve stopped producing as many options for compact cars as they used to. But they haven’t shut out this vehicle segment completely! Compact car aficionados still have some options with Lexus—as long as they’re not put off by the luxury price tags. 
To give you a run-through of all the best Lexus compact cars, it’s
Jerry
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that helps you find the best price on
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Lexus car insurance
if you decide to take one of these compact beauties home with you. 
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2022 Lexus compact and subcompact car models

We’ve profiled the current Lexus models that are leading the charge in the compact and subcompact categories, let’s take a look. 

2022 Lexus UX 200 ($34,525 MSRP) 

The UX 200 is Lexus’ premier subcompact SUV that holds the distinction of being the most affordable vehicle Lexus sells. But we are talking about a luxury car brand here, so that means the starting price of the UX 200 isn’t exactly a universal bargain. 
What you get for your money is a lot of style. From the angular, sporty exterior to the well-appointed cabin, the UX 200 is peppy and attractive—great accompaniments to its awesome fuel economy
So why the lukewarm ratings? Edmunds ranks the 2022 UX 200 a 7.1/10 while Car and Driver gives it 7.5/10. Both experts agree that Lexus’ larger SUVs are better crowdpleasers, wielding more power and interior space than the UX 200 can manage. 
Highlights of the UX 200 include: 
  • Great standard tech features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring
  • More affordable than any other Lexus model
  • 5-star safety rating from the NHTSA 
  • Some of the best fuel economy ratings in its class with an EPA-estimated MPG of 29 city/37highway/32 combined
Weaknesses include: 
  • The  2.0-liter four-cylinder engine lacks power
  • Lacking cargo space
  • Rear legroom is a bit cramped
  • Only available in front-wheel drive (FWD)

2022 Lexus UX 250h ($36,865 MSRP)

Lexus introduced the UX 200 and UX 250h for the 2019 model year, intending to appeal to drivers in their 30s who are looking for an innovatively designed, environmentally friendly vehicle to suit busy lifestyles. The UX 250h is the hybrid version of the UX 200.
Other than the difference in their powertrains, another considerable separation between the UX 250h and UX 200 is their drivetrains. While the UX 200 is only available in FWD, the UX 250h is only available in all-wheel drive (AWD)
Seeing as competitors like Audi, BMW, and Infiniti don’t offer a hybrid subcompact SUV in their lineup, Lexus has something unique with the 2022 UX 250h, but that won’t save it from mediocre expert ratings. The 2022 UX 250h earns a 7/10 rating from Edmunds and a 7.5/10 rating from Car and Driver, with an overall lack of power being at the center of the criticism.  
Highlights of the UX 250h include: 
  • Easy to maneuver
  • Top-level fuel economy stats with 41city/ 38 highway/39 combined MPG
  • Classy, high-quality interior styling
  • One of the only hybrid powertrains in the luxury subcompact SUV market
Weaknesses include: 
  • 0 to 60 mph in ten seconds
  • Too-high hatchback liftgate
  • Interface of the infotainment system isn’t user-friendly

2022 Lexus IS 300 ($40,200 MSRP)

Lexus’s IS model is every bit the luxury sports sedan: razor-sharp styling, diverse engine options, and sports-minded performance upgrades. The base IS 300 is the most affordable option in the lineup, which also includes the V6-equipped IS 350 and the no-nonsense IS 500 that’s fitted with a formidable V8 engine.  
The IS 300 forgoes the rumbling motor and rigid handling typical to sports cars in favor of the refined drive quality that Lexus is known for. You’ll get to choose between rear-wheel drive (RWD) or AWD—just be advised that upgrading the drivetrain to AWD means that you’ll also be upgrading the engine to the 3.5-liter V6. This upgrade will cost you around $1,125
Car and Driver gives out another 7.5/10 while reviewing the 2022 Lexus IS while consumer reviews courtesy of Edmunds rate the 2022 IS 300 a perfect 5/5. Both experts make note of the IS model’s tight rear passenger space—not unusual in the realm of compact cars. 
Highlights of the IS 300 include: 
  • Eye-catching body style
  • Smooth drive experience, even on bumpy roads
  • Quiet and comfy interior
  • Decked out with loads of standard features like satellite radio, dual-zone automatic climate control, Wi-Fi hotspot, and a 10-speaker stereo system
Weaknesses include: 
  • Rear seats are tight for adults
  • AWD configuration doesn’t get good gas mileage

Other small Lexus models

As more and more car brands continue to streamline their repertoire to focus on mid-sized and full-sized SUVs, Lexus still keeps a certain dwindling body style alive—the coupe
The RC and LC are the only coupes offered by Lexus for the 2022 model year. These luxury coupes are pricier than the compact vehicles we’ve reviewed above, with the base trim of the 2022 RC 300 starting at $43,895 and the 2022 LC 500 starting at an eye-popping $94,225

What is Lexus’ smallest car?

The smallest current Lexus vehicle in length is the Lexus UX, measuring 177 inches. The UX may stand taller than the sloping, sporty body styles of the RC and LC, but in true impact car fashion, it doesn’t take up much space in the garage. 

What is Lexus’ cheapest car?

Lexus and bargain aren’t typically two words that go together, but the cheapest Lexus vehicle is the UX 200. If you opt for this non-hybrid version of the subcompact SUV, the starting price should fall around $34,525

How to save on Lexus insurance

You’re likely to pay a higher insurance rate for a Lexus than if you drive a more economical car, simply because they’re more valuable. And if you’ve agreed to finance your newly purchased Lexus, the last thing you probably want to think about is adding expensive
car insurance
to the deal. 
That’s where
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