The LBX is Lexus’ smallest ever car
When premium marques do small cars, does it go well? Ask Aston Martin, Mercedes-Benz et al and you’ll hear a resounding ‘no’. Lexus isn’t interested in past precedent, however, given its latest reveal is the all-new LBX, the marque’s smallest offering yet. In highly reductive terms, it’s a Toyota Yaris Cross in a high society frock but of course, this is Lexus, so there’s a bit more to it than that. Let’s take a look.
Indeed, the LBX – which stands for Lexus Breakthrough Crossover and is the first three-letter Lexus since the LFA supercar – does use the GA-B global architecture that underpins the Yaris Cross, but there’s a good deal different in this car’s execution, including a longer wheelbase, wider track and shorter overhangs. There was also conscious re-engineering under the skin to reduce NVH. This perhaps backs up Lexus’ emphasis that the LBX is not designed to be a cheap car, but a small premium car.
The styling of course is all Lexus, incorporating the marque’s new styling language that to the relief of some, does away with the ‘predator’ snout. It’s been designed to appeal to European markets and therefore, holds back a little on the Japanese extroversion. This is an inoffensive and unassuming car that still manages to look ‘premium’, with sharp lighting and carefully considered lines.
The premium push continues on the inside where a you find a typically ‘Lexus’ steering wheel, lashings of leather and ‘ultra suede’ and plenty of screen real estate. Indeed, the LBX utilises a fully digital user interface, comprised of a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display, and a 9.8-inch touch-sensitive infotainment screen. The cabin has been designed to be simple, intuitive and geared towards the driver, with key control points staying physical, outside of the touch screen.
In terms of powertrains? Here, the constraints of the GA-B are evident. No V6s or V8s here, this is exclusively a 1.5-litre three-cylinder hybrid that uses new nickel-metal-hybrid battery tech for increased density and performance. All together it has 136PS (100kW) and 185Nm (136lb ft) of torque, for 0-62mph in 9.2 seconds.
Pricing has yet to be given, though for reference, Lexus’ next cheapest smallest car is the entry-level UX, which starts from just under £35,000. We’d expect the LBX to launch from at least £30,000 – not exactly cheap.
And that’s at the entry level, expect to head towards £50,000 if you get suckered into the options list and Lexus Bespoke Build programme. The ‘Atmospheres’ are Lexus for trim levels and include ‘Elegant’ and ‘Relax’ aimed at being more refined, and ‘Emotion’ and ‘Cool’ going for a sportier feel. These ‘Atmospheres’ will being different wheels, paintwork, interior materials and more, while options include the high-quality Mark Levinson premium surround sound, head-up display, remote parking and digital key.
Convinced? We’re still mulling it over. Regardless, Lexus has big volume ambitions for its smallest car yet. Whether it pays off for them will remain to be seen, before the first buyers get their cars in early 2024.
Lexus
LBX
