The list of Japanese electric SUVs is a short one compared to options from Chinese carmakers, and it just got a little shorter. The Lexus UX300e has been quietly removed from the brand’s Australian lineup, marking the end of its smallest all-electric SUV in the country.
The company confirmed that the decision is linked to production constraints on specific components rather than market performance alone. A Lexus Australia spokesperson stated, “Global supply challenges affecting key EV components have forced us to prioritise other models in the short term, but our commitment to electrification remains unchanged.”
Although the Lexus UX300e recently received updates, such as a larger battery and a revised infotainment system, those improvements weren’t enough to secure its place in the local market long-term.
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Lexus UX300e in Australia: A short run
The UX300e made its Australian debut as part of Lexus’s broader push toward electrification. It offered a battery-powered alternative to the petrol and hybrid UX variants, at a price tag north of $80,000. But its sales figures remained underwhelming.
In late 2023, the electric Lexus SUV got updates like a larger battery that boosted the WLTP-claimed range by over 100kms to 450km. It stuck with the single motor setup driving the front wheels only, but it did get the larger infotainment screen as part of the update.
Only 28 units were delivered between January and April 2025, while the Lexus UX hybrid versions enjoyed 614 deliveries in the same period. Even last year, when the Lexus UX300e had more time on showroom floors, only 92 examples found homes in Australia.
By comparison, other small luxury EVs have seen significantly stronger uptake. In 2024, the BMW iX1, Volvo EX30, and Mercedes-Benz EQA each sold in the thousands, indicating stronger market traction for rival brands in this space.
A lineup shift, not a strategic U-turn
Despite Lexus UX300e’s exit, Lexus says it’s not stepping away from electrification. Nearly four out of five Lexus vehicles delivered in Australia this year have featured some form of electrification, whether hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or fully electric.
The brand is also expanding its plug-in hybrid (PHEV) offerings, recently launching the Lexus RX450h+ and preparing to update the Lexus RZ, now the only all-electric Lexus available in Australia. However, the lack of a broader EV portfolio contrasts sharply with rivals like BMW and Mercedes-Benz, each offering at least three fully electric models in Australia.
Will Lexus bring back a small electric SUV?
Lexus hasn’t commented on whether the UX300e could return if production issues are resolved. However, no successor has been confirmed either, and no prototypes have been seen undergoing testing.
With Toyota (Lexus’s parent company) recently unveiling a new C-HR and an electric version called the C-HR+, there’s speculation that a new-generation Lexus UX, possibly with a stronger EV focus, could be in the pipeline.
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