Whether your business has one fleet car or hundreds, you want it to be the right one. Some 3,500 people drove home a new Lexus UX in 2019, its first year in the UK market.

Financial Considerations

Choosing a car for business requires careful consideration of purchase price and ownership costs.  The Lexus UX300e definitely reduces fuel costs.  If you compare it to a similarly sized diesel-powered premium compact SUV, fuel savings are estimated to be £3,000 over the next four years.  That’s like an ongoing rebate on your purchase.

Competitors, such as the Volvo XC40 Recharge, are too expensive for the Office for Low Emission Vehicles grant.  The Audi E-Tron 50, which isn’t eligible for the grant, would cost at least £20,000 more.  That’s a considerable difference for a business that is watching its bottom line.

Before buying electric vehicles of any kind, a business owner will need designated charging stations. Once installed, using the charger overnight is the least expensive.  It’s probably all you would need to get through a day of driving.  You can also use a public DC charger if the battery was running low.

New Lexus warranties are standard three-year limited and five-year engine coverage. While there’s no surprise there, it is a consideration since some manufacturers offer longer ones.  There’s a three-year program of free roadside assistance, should it be needed.  Lexus offers a yearly free Hybrid Health Check, another potential savings over time.

Safety Considerations

When buying a work car for yourself or your business, safety considerations are vital in three ways.  First, of course, there’s protection for you or your drivers.  Second, an employee could hold you liable if the car you provide is less than adequate and a crash has occurred. Third, your insurance rates are affected by the safety capabilities of your model vehicle.

In the case of the UX, it covers all three aspects. It has a 5-star Euro NCAP Rating. Of course, nothing is perfect, but that does imply that you or your drivers would be protected as well as possible in a crash.  The automatic systems go beyond that rating. They are there to prevent crashes, which ultimately is what any business owner wants.

Fender benders are less likely due to things like automatic braking and rear cameras.  Two-car accidents are less likely with lane tracing assist to maintain the vehicle in the marked lane lines. If your drivers are on the road in the dark, automatic high beams will help them keep their hands on the wheel.

Further Considerations

Electric vehicles originally could not keep up well with busy traffic.  The UX300e is actually faster than its hybrid counterpart.  It can make the sprint from 0 to highway speed in less than 8 seconds.  Drivers should feel confident in the vehicle’s capability in tricky situations.

Connectivity is key, and the UX300e does have what a business needs. While navigation isn’t standard, Lexus standard technology allows users to stream their map apps to the screen. This, along with the voice controls, should help you or your business drivers find the fastest route to each destination.

If this business purchase is for yourself or for executives, it should cover all of the angles. It has premium upholstery, electrically adjustable front seats, and a power-adjustable steering wheel.

There are fine touches such as its Japanese ‘Washi’ Paper Inspired Instrument Panel.