The LBX is a premium-focused B-segment automobile, and for a brand new arrival in late 2023 it’s pretty novel: there’s no electrical model deliberate, and by increasing right into a smaller market, Lexus has bucked the continuing pattern of vehicles rising to the purpose that they barely match on British roads any extra. (We will conveniently overlook the brand new supersized LM MPV for now…)
That places the LBX into an intriguing spot out there: its nearest direct rivals are in all probability the Audi Q2, which will probably be retired subsequent 12 months, and the DS 3, which hardly sells. It’s greater than the Mini hatchback, smaller than the Mini Countryman. You might evaluate it to the brand new Volvo EX30, besides that’s battery-powered and the Lexus is completely a hybrid.
Less charitably, you might additionally take into account the LBX a blinged-up Toyota Yaris Cross. Underneath that trendy Lexus design and inside, each vehicles are based mostly on the TNGA-B platform and have the identical 1.5-litre three-cylinder hybrid powertrain.
The large distinction is you can get a Yaris Cross for £24,855. The LBX vary begins at £29,995, with top-spec front-wheel-drive fashions reaching £39,545. Our Premium check automobile is priced at £32,495, or £435 if you happen to’re paying month-to-month.
LBX chief engineer Kunihiko Endo insists that, whereas utilizing the identical fundamental platform, the 2 vehicles have been developed completely individually, with intensive work performed to verify his machine was a ‘true’ Lexus. Compared with the Yaris Cross, the wheelbase has been stretched by 20mm to 2580mm, and the physique is 10mm longer, at 4190mm. The LBX can be barely decrease and 60mm wider, the latter permitting for a wider observe that Endo says was key to optimising the journey and dealing with.
Styling-wise, you would not mistake the LBX for the Yaris Cross: the Lexus design workforce has, to those eyes, performed an ideal job of fusing the agency’s conventional design notes right into a compact package deal. The entrance grille has gone frameless (much less formal, apparently) and the sleek, curved bodywork options quite a lot of attention-grabbing traces – and helps the airflow to enhance effectivity.
At the rear, the quantity plates is mounted low down on the automobile to present extra prominence to the Lexus lettering on the boot, and there is additionally a new-style rear mild bar. You’ll additionally spot a small spoiler mounted on the rear fringe of the roof.