FOR many car makers it's the acme of achievement - to build a compact saloon that drives like a limo.

Ever since the legendary Mk 2 Jag saw light of day back in the 1950s, it's been an ongoing challenger to car designers.

Lexus, the posh arm of Toyota, specialises in building high luxury interiors and elegant exteriors - an aim that happily suits smaller models as well as big, cumbersome ones.

Positioned between the neat little LBX and the mid-size NX high-rider is the UX range which follows the styling cues of the NX within more compact dimensions. While there's little attempt to endow the UX with sporting pretentions, every attempt possible has been made to make it feel classy and cossetting, yet impressively economical.

Of course, it possesses a must-have credential of hybrid petrol power which comprises 2.0litre, four-cylinder engine coupled to a lithium battery and an automatic continuous variable transmission. With just under 200bhp, it picks up its heels quite nippily with a 62mph sprint time of eight seconds.

At start-off or in traffic queues the self-charging power pack will run on electricity alone but floor the accelerator and the ICE unit chimes in. The stiff body and ample sound-proofing ensure engine noise is kept to a minimum, in keeping with its aim to be a cut above the average.

Unlike some SUVs, the driving position is somewhat lower and more car-like. Space in the front is generous enough although the gap between driver and passenger is smaller than that of some rivals.

Ride is generally comfortable and quite absorbent but rippled surfaces or undulations can disturb the Lexus's composure. By switching to ‘sport' via the dashboard knob, the suspension is stiffened up. There's little road noise but the CVT gearbox can make the engine sound somewhat busy when revved.

Cornering is competent and secure without being particularly dynamic which suits the easy-going nature of the UX and will probably meet the needs of most buyers. Even when hustled into bends body-roll is well controlled. Power steering is light and weights up nicely through bends.

The cabin, a vital factor in creating a car's image, is smart and welcoming with plenty of soft-touch materials and a large touchscreen which is easy to master. There are physical switches for climate control and temperature which is a plus for most users.

Seat controls and steering wheel adjustment on the version we sampled, the 300h Premium, were by manual levers rather electric buttons.

Front seat occupants get door pockets, a cubby under the central armrest and passenger glovebox. Those in the rear have map pockets but no door bins.

A shortfall for some potential buyers will be the size of the hatchback boot which is capable of carrying just 320litres of cargo - less than most rivals. It is, however, regularly shaped and loading is easy.

A luxurious small car with a meagre fuel thirst will hold strong appeal to drivers trading down, and the UX's ability to squeeze more than 50 miles from a gallon is a significant attraction.

2.0-litre, 196bhp, 4cyl petrol-hybrid engine driving front wheels via automatic gearbox

110mph

8.1sec

54.3

25

117g/km

29%

3yrs/60,000 miles

4.0