If you have the hots for a compact, electric SUV that's not the Mercedes-Benz EQA, then this you'd do well to wait for this 2023 Lexus UX 300e that's earmarked for Malaysia sometime this year.

We caught a glimpse of it at the ongoing 44th Bangkok International Motor Show (BIMS 2023) and think it's one to wait for. Malaysian specifications may differ, but the kit it has is pretty rich – there's tri-LED headlights, a must-have lightbar at the back, and Lexus Safety System Plus set of advanced driver aids.

Also read: 7 EV SUVs launching in Malaysia in 2023: Toyota bZ4X, Smart #1, VW ID.4, and more

Inside the leather-draped cabin there's a crisp, fully-digital instrument cluster, a wireless charger, and the 10.3-inch infotainment touchscreen comes bundled with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto too.

Adding to the enveloping luxury around is a 13-speaker Mark Levinson surround sound setup; just the perfect combo in a quiet ride eh?

Also read: Lexus UX vs Mercedes-Benz GLA vs Volvo XC40: Poise, prestige, or power?

Speaking of ride, the UX 300e sits on the GA-C platform (Lexus' version of the TNGA platform), and the car itself was honed at the Toyota Technical Centre in Shimoyama – the same mini-Nuburgring proving ground that moulds the GR Yaris and GR Corolla.

So despite the improved handling chops – not that the regular UX was a slouch anyway – all-electric power should also add another layer of comfort through a quiet drive.

Also read: UMW Toyota to launch 2 EVs starting 2022 – Lexus UX 300e and Toyota bZ4X for Malaysia

Providing the juice is a 204 PS/300 Nm electric motor situated on the front axle, connected to a 54.4 kWh lithium-ion (Li-Ion) battery. On a full charge, there's 315 km of range (WLTP), and when that dips it can be topped up with a 50kW DC fast charger (CHAdeMO), or Type 2 AC charging.

The cost? THB 3,490,000, or roughly equivalent to RM 505k. This may not be so reflective in Malaysia as we currently have tax incentives for EVs, which should see the UX 300e hover somewhere nearer to the EQA's price tag of RM 296,000.

Also read: Confirmed: 4 years free road tax for EVs, from 1-Jan 2022 to 31-Dec 2025