The LBX is smaller than the. UX I have.had both hybrids out on test, no real difference, and my local has given me the breakdown for any pix, not tested an electric. Both hybrids mpg is near enough the same.

Edited by Palcouk on 03/08/2025 at 12:02

Cannot see the UX lasting much longer.

Current model is due for replacement by an all new UX in 2026.

FWIW - Anyone looking at a UX should also also test a 2nd Gen Toyota C-HR as Toyota have upped the quality.

Toyota hybrid drive system proves itself the best of the lot ie most reliable over high mileages and time, its going to be more expensive because its an entirely self contained vehicle not reliant on plugging in to the grid and given some decent maintenance has a probable life span well in excess of 20 years.

Toyota covers the hybrid battery for even longer than the rest of the vehicle's 10 year warranty subject to correct main dealer servicing, after that there's a small and doubltess growing industry in battery refurb for sensible costs.

Maybe the battery only version has similar warranty cover and easily rebuilt batteries for life after 15 years, i have no idea.

The electric UX is £5k+ more than the hybrid for same spec

Currently have NX hybrid, looked at UX, two current version demonstrators, same spec but the hybrid was significantly more expensive than the electric. Checked auto trader with same outcome. Also seems that insurance on electric is much higher.

Has market for electric collapsed?

Hybrid has the added cost and complexity of two power trains which need to talk to each other. No great surprise it costs more than electric!!

I suspect it's more likely that they are desperate to avoid the swingeing EU (and British government) fines for not selling enough EVs, and so get dealers to buy cars from them to pretend they are all demos and loan cars in order to (at a big loss, but still less than the per car fines) up the sales figures.

Bear in mind these are essentially 'new' cars' with little mileage on them 'dressed up' as second hand ones, yet going for vastly less than a new one with no official owners on its record.

I've regularly come across ads for 2yo EVs with low (even very low [below 5k]) mileages going for less than equivalent 5-7yo ICE models with getting on 50k miles under their belt and more.

It's not as though the battery packs in the EVs are a pack of Duracells costing a fiver - they mostly make up between a quarter and third (possibly more with 'long range' [read normal range' for ICE and hybrids]) of the build cost of such cars, hence why they are not proving a hit in the second hand market, especially when they are 7-10 years old, and why resale value have plummeted.

I am seeing more and more insider industry evidence coming to industry podcasters (not some random blokes with opinions) proving that what used to happen on a relatively limited scale at the end of the month / sales quarter / year is now occurring at an industrial level.

That's why I've brought it up in the EV threads - this is an almighty crash waiting to kick off.

Currently have NX hybrid, looked at UX, two current version demonstrators, same spec but the hybrid was significantly more expensive than the electric. Checked auto trader with same outcome. Also seems that insurance on electric is much higher.

Has market for electric collapsed?

It hasn't collapsed because it was never strong. If an EV suits your needs, second hand ones are great value. Once loads of people are trundling around in 20 year old ones with no problem, the used prices will start to strengthen.

The problem is that EVs really only suit people with reasonable means (and are able to take the loss should the battery pack fail once out of its warranty period) for a second (or third) runaround local car and a home that can take at least a 7kW 'fast' charger, and, at least until electricity prices come down, afford public charging prices, which are no longer subsidised by either the car manufacturer (Tesla) or taxpayer.

That rules out: almost everyone living in a flat, terraced house, homes with shared (remote) parking facilities, most council or housing association properties, those who need cars for long-distance daily use and most people under 35 (who already cannot afford most things these days older generations take for granted).

Once the War Baby and Boomer generations have departed the scene, it'll only really be Gen Xers left with anything like the means and needs to buy such cars, and frankly we'll be probably far more concerned about other important matters to worry about than wanting to own an EV or not.

Are they though SLO? They may be if you intend to keep the car long term, perhaps longer than any warranty, but as it stands the purchase price of them (at least the ones I looked at) is absurdly above what's crudely determined as the market value.

For example, I looked at a BMW i4 recently which was listed at £47k. Stick the car's details into something like Motorway (which I'd accept may not be wholly on the money but having sold 5 cars via them they are not far off), and the value of the same car is £34k. That's £13k you've lost the second you drive it away and this was a used car, not new. It's generally the same with other EV's that i looked at.

When I did the same exercise with my car (Lexus NX hybrid so relevant to the thread) the variance was between £3 and £4k which is what you'd expect dealers to be sticking on as markup.

You'd have to be (a) willing to take that hit purely to save the planet and enjoy driving it or (b) taking a gamble that the depreciation would slow rapidly to recover any kind of value from the car at, say, 3 years.

It was quite offputting for me even given that the above was a non-exact science.

That’s why I wouldn’t touch a new one, or nearly new. New prices are unrealistic, plus fear of the unknown causes huge initial depreciation which makes for superb bargain pickings for the savvy used buyer. Imagine, no fear of wet belts snapping, no faulty injectors, worn out turbos, clogged diesel particulate filters or EGR valves. No rotten exhaust to replace, no oil to change and no complicated automated manual gearbox to bankrupt you. Our ID3 needs a “service” every two years to keep the warranty valid and that only entails a checklist plus cabin filter and a coolant change. They’re so efficient, cheap to run, much more reliable and silky smooth to drive. That they can tear away from most conventionally powered cars from 30-70 or from a standing start only seals the deal. I have far more confidence in buying a used EV than in buying a petrol or diesel equivalent. There’s simply much less to go wrong, and should you suffer any battery pack issues they generally come with an 8yr warranty to cover it - beyond that age they’re cheap enough to be worth a punt. You won’t get that level of cover on a petrol motor - aside from Toyota’s up to 10yr cover when you service it with them.

Agree SLO, they do present a compelling argument if your driving habits make sense for one, which mine certainly do. I am still thinking about it but it's a cold shower moment to have to take that kind of hit as I tend to buy nearly new.