This small car is full of great power to be first and original in many ways. For example, the Lexus LBX is the first crossover car from the brand that is so compact. Or here's another example: the new Lexus LBX is a rare case where the model designation is written only in letters and without numbers at all. In my memory, there was only one such case: the Lexus RC F coupe with an atmospheric V8 under the hood. But in the case of the Lexus LBX crossover, a 1.5-liter 3-cylinder hybrid engine is hiding under the hood. Again "for the first time" and again "original"? Oh, how many interesting things Lexus LBX has prepared!
Design: new details, recognizable style
In recent years, the Lexus brand has demonstrated a signature design style, where one of the key elements is the hourglass grille. So, even here, the Lexus LBX has found a way to stand out! After all, it is one of the first models to receive a smaller grille and a top curved strip between the headlights.
However, other design features are familiar and expected: developed wings above the wheel arches, two-tone body paint with silver decorative elements, pointed headlights with inverted L-shaped elements. The combined headlights and the Lexus name on the trunk lid are also in keeping with the latest automotive fashion trends. The result is that the Lexus LBX's affiliation with the brand is immediately recognizable; but the car also has several original and memorable details to offer.
The Lexus LBX is the first B-SUV crossover from Lexus, which is confirmed by its overall dimensions: length - 4.19 meters; width - 1.825 meters; height - 1.56 meters; wheelbase - 2.58 meters; ground clearance is declared at 170 mm. Despite such compact dimensions, the car is clearly identified as a member of the Lexus family, and it looks quite original.
A similar story happens with the front part of the cabin, which is perceived in typical Lexus style literally on a subconscious level. Even now, while forming my thoughts in this text, I understand the reason for this perception: a very soft dashboard, a recognizable steering wheel with soft buttons, a branded miniature transmission joystick, a small share of gray-silver decor. And, of course, the seats are upholstered in Tahara branded leather: in fact, this leather is synthetic, but it is so smooth! Another memorable feature is the sloping display that literally pops out of the center console and is successfully divided into two functional parts by color - a dark area for climate control and a light area for multimedia and settings.
The front of the cabin is almost fine. But if you move to the second row of seats of the Lexus LBX, the picture changes exactly the opposite. And the first observation is that it's very cramped in the back: there's not enough legroom, little headroom, and the small doors open at a small angle. In addition, the back of the rear sofa forms a rather upright position: short city trips will be fine, but long country trips will be uncomfortable. There are only a couple of USB ports and a button for locking the central locking. The trunk is also not a record: the useful volume is 317 liters; but at least there are side niches and an organizer in the underground, which is good.
The front panel is made of high-quality materials and features the typical Lexus gray and silver décor, the central 9.8-inch display is well divided into two functional areas, there are several physical switches and buttons for the most important settings, and the seats offer a great profile and stitching. A two-story dashboard with a niche and a multifunctional armrest make it possible to hide your own belongings. But in general, a small car has a small interior. If this is not so noticeable in the front seats (there is enough headroom and legroom, you just want to add width), then the rear is frankly cramped and almost without additional amenities. The trunk is also made according to the program of the minimum necessary: not a record, but sufficient volume, a couple of side niches, an electric lid drive - that's all.
Technology: (not) only hybrid and front-wheel drive
The Lexus LBX crossover is built on the GA-B platform, has a fully independent MacPherson front suspension and a semi-dependent torsion beam rear suspension, and is equipped with a hybrid powertrain based on a 3-cylinder 1.5-liter gasoline engine and an electric motor. Some may say that this is just a Lexus version of the Toyota Yaris Cross. But...
Firstly, the Lexus LBX crossover has its own body: increased length and width, increased wheelbase, the power structure of the body is made of heavy-duty steels, the hood and front fenders are made of aluminum, improved sound insulation, etc. Secondly, the hybrid powertrain is still based on a 1.5 R3 Dual VVT-i atmospheric gasoline engine and an electric motor, which are connected by a continuously variable electromechanical transmission. However, the total power of the Lexus LBX hybrid system is 136 hp - while the Toyota Yaris and Toyota Yaris Cross cars had a 116 hp hybrid at the beginning of their career and only now they are getting a more powerful 132 hp version. Finally, I would also like to mention the Ni-MH battery to power the hybrid system and the front-wheel drive.
But in fact, the Lexus LBX has a few surprises in store. First, the all-wheel drive version still exists: it is an additional electric motor that rotates the rear wheels. Along with the addition of an electric motor, the rear suspension also changes - instead of a beam, a multi-link independent suspension is used. Secondly, the Lexus LBX crossover can offer another version with all-wheel drive - in the form of the Lexus LBX Morizzo RR with a technical component from the Toyota Yaris GR: a powerful turbo engine, traditional all-wheel drive with a cardan, a choice between an automatic or even a manual transmission. Wow, how bold!
The Lexus LBX crossover features a load-bearing body, independent front suspension and semi-dependent rear suspension, a hybrid powertrain and front-wheel drive (all-wheel drive versions are not currently offered in Ukraine). Technical specifications promise a total hybrid power of 136 hp, a top speed of 170 km/h and acceleration from 0-100 km/h in 9.2 seconds; the promised fuel consumption in the city is 3.6 liters per 100 km; on the highway - 4 liters per 100 km. So...
Behind the wheel: nice hybrid, easy ride
I like modern hybrids for their combination of ease of use and responsiveness. Electronic control systems take care of switching on/off the internal combustion engine and the electric motor; the former makes it possible to travel long distances without the need to recharge; the latter provides quick responses to the accelerator pedal. The result is the best combination of two worlds! This is again confirmed in the form of the Lexus LBX hybrid powertrain: the smoothest possible interaction between different motors, imperceptible switching between them or a joint operation mode, quick reactions to the accelerator pedal. Even if the acceleration is not surprising in absolute terms (take a look at the measurement below), it is the speed of the reactions that gives the impression of a rather lively character of the car.
This character is also evident when driving. It's as if the steering wheel isn't very sharp (2.7-2.8 turns from stop to stop), and it doesn't have a high return force. However, the small size and relative lightness of the car (1355-1425 kg, depending on the version, which is not much for a hybrid) give the impression of very active maneuvering: you turn the steering wheel and the nose is already entering the turn. At the same time, the rolls are moderate and the suspension offers good comfort. The Lexus LBX crossover won't offer the absolute softness of large Lexus models, but it still successfully rounds off most bumps, turning their peaks into rather moderate jolts. It's surprising how this small car could offer quite an adult chassis energy intensity.
The driving experience is equally pleasant in both normal and ECO modes. The acceleration intensity is slightly different - as if the hybrid does not develop its full power in ECO mode, but only 116 hp - but even this is enough for everyday life and normal city traffic. By the way, changing driving modes does not affect the steering feel, but it does affect the design of the dashboard. One of the variants has a large tachometer, and because of this, a strange story happens: you drive quite fast, but the tachometer shows zero revolutions; then you press the accelerator pedal, and the tachometer arrow immediately soars to 2-2.5-3 thousand revolutions. In such cases, you can tell when the engine is running not only by the tachometer, but also by the sudden appearance of the engine sound. But this is almost the only comment on sound insulation, because otherwise the Lexus LBX is quite quiet.
As always with Toyota-Lexus, the hybrid delivers smooth acceleration and quick responses. There are several buttons for additional driving modes (ECO MODE and EV MODE), plus an additional B-mode to activate more intensive regeneration. Activation of ECO mode not only affects the powertrain, but can also change the design of the instruments. Activation of the EV-mode (driving exclusively on the electric drive) is possible depending on the speed and battery charge; however, even in the best cases, you can only drive 1-1.5 kilometers in this way. My other observations: acceleration from 0-100 km/h takes 9.7-9.8 seconds, fuel consumption in the city is 5-5.5 liters; on the highway, when driving at a speed of about 100 km/h, it is 4.7-5 liters.
Cost: how much does the Lexus LBX cost and can it be a rival
The Lexus LBX crossover is currently available in Ukraine with only one hybrid powertrain (as a test car) and in two configurations that are actually very similar in terms of content.
The range is opened by the Lexus LBX Elegant: LED headlights and adaptive high beam system, 18-inch alloy wheels, adaptive cruise control, dual-zone climate control and air ionization system, digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster, Lexus Link system and touchscreen 9,8-inch display, support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, rearview camera and front/rear parking sensors, heated steering wheel and front seats, Tahara synthetic leather seats, Lexus Safety System Plus (LSS+ 3.0), eight airbags/curtain airbags, E-Latch electronic door unlocking system, keyless entry, etc. Lexus LBX Elegant costs from UAH 1.64 million or $40 thousand.
The Lexus LBX Emotion version adds the following: two-tone body paint, tinted rear window and tailgate glass, black 18-inch wheels with milling, dark synthetic Tahara leather seats with perforations and red stitching. Lexus LBX Emotioncosts from UAH 1.69 million or $41 thousand.
The Lexus LBX crossover immediately offers a very high level of equipment: a digital instrument panel with several design options, a central touchscreen display, lane keeping assist and collision warning systems, blind spot monitoring, a rearview camera (but no panoramic all-round view); the Emotion version is distinguished by tinted glass, two-tone body paint and black and silver wheels. The price corresponds to the equipment - that is, it is also quite high: for the money of Lexus LBX, you can buy a car one class higher or consider competitors.
There is only one direct rival that is currently available in Ukraine - the DS 3 Crossback, which is now simply called the DS 3 in its updated version. Moreover, the story with this car is as similar as possible to the Lexus LBX: it is a very nice car to drive; but everyone will think that you bought it only for its design and interior.
In addition, the Audi Q2 may be a competitor to the Lexus LBX; however, this car is no longer available in Ukraine and its career is coming to an end. Also, Alfa Romeo Junior and MINI Aceman can be rivals, but here the situation is completely opposite - we still need to wait for the cars to appear in Ukraine, understand their price and positioning. So, it turns out that Lexus LBX can "collect cash" and attract new customers right now. After all, this crossover is really worthy of attention and appreciation...
