While some car brands opt to produce bigger vehicles, Lexus is bucking the trend. The all-new, self-charging hybrid electric LBX is the smallest Lexus yet and is set to be a game-changer for the brand in Europe. It was revealed at an event in Milan this month, and hopes to tap into a new market of owners.

LBX stands for Lexus Breakthrough Crossover, a compact SUV that will extend Lexus’ brand appeal into the new market territory. Powered by a 1.5-litre ‘self-charging’ hybrid, it goes on sale in October, with the first customers getting their hands around the steering wheel in March 2024.

The essence of Lexus has been distilled into a smaller package, transcending customers’ traditional expectations of what a premium compact SUV can offer and thus redefining luxury.

The brand says it aims to give owners a wider range of design executions and specifications, providing them with more freedom to put their mark on a personalised car to express their individual taste and sense of style. So what makes the LBX stand out? Let’s take a closer look.

At a glance

  • Lexus LBX is the brand’s smallest car to date.
  • Baby SUV acts as a new entry point for Lexus.
  • 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol-hybrid power.
  • Pricing will be available in October.
  • The vehicle will hit UK roads in March 2024.

LBX exterior design
As things currently stand, brands like Audi, BMW, and Mercedes don’t have a crossover this small, and that’s where Lexus is taking the lead with its LBX model. The Japanese premium brand is calling the baby SUV a “landmark model”, and it is. The LBX is 4,190mm long, 1,825mm wide and 1,545mm high and has a 2,580mm wheelbase.

The LBX’s styling is noticeably different from the usual gaping grilles of recent Lexus cars. The brand said it wanted to move away from its formal character to offer a more relaxed car which would give owners a connection to the vehicle.

Koichi Suga, General Manager of Lexus Design, explains, “We have ‘deconstructed’ the spindle grille to make way for a new frontal design. We’ve succeeded in creating a new face identity that’s completely different from before yet is instantly recognisable as a Lexus.”

The grille has been unified in a single trapezoid shape and positioned below a narrow aperture that runs beneath the edge of the bonnet to link the slim headlight units. The inspiration for the design comes from Lexus’s “Resolute Look”.

The front pillars have been pulled back, which helps the cabin appear compact, yet the bonnet is longer to give it a sporty profile. Keeping with this theme, the short front and rear overhangs help the car look sportier. Drivers can choose between 17- or 18-inch alloy wheels.

To the rear, the full-width LED light bar includes a raised centre section across the boot lid. The brand’s design team says this has been implemented to visually give the car a lower centre of gravity. The licence plate has been moved down to the bumper so that the LEXUS-lettered signature on the back door is more prominent.

The exterior colour choices include strong shades and Lexus’s sonic finishes. Some versions of the LBX can be personalised with bi-tone paintwork offering customers the option of combining colours with a contrasting black roof.

LBX engine and performance
While we didn’t have the chance to test drive it (March 2024), the LBX is powered by a new generation, self-charging Lexus hybrid electric system featuring a compact and lightweight 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine.

The car will combine a petrol engine and a small battery and an electric motor. The LBX will have enough power to operate short distances on its own before recharging mainly through energy recouped when slowing. Maximum output from the full hybrid system is 134bhp/100kW with a peak torque of 185Nm.

The cars will be offered with front-wheel drive as standard, but customers can choose the four-wheel drive as an option. This would mean an additional electric motor will be added to the rear axle, helping keep the vehicle stable and maintaining driver confidence.

LBX interior and infotainment
Lexus designers have gone for a simple yet stylish and refined interior that creates the feel and atmosphere of a higher-segment model. This effect is good visibility with an open view out and a simple, smooth instrument panel, which gives a more spacious feel inside. There are plenty of bold shapes and contours, giving a sense of wrapping around the front seat occupants.

Drivers can have their pick of upholsteries and trims with strong visual and tactile appeal. As well as top-quality semi-aniline leather, the options include a vegan-friendly interior that uses synthetic leather and materials for the seat coverings and steering wheel, shift lever and door trims.

Highlighting different parts of the cabin, the lighting design provides a range of 50 colour options, curated in themes that evoke different moods. Meanwhile, the driver’s cockpit is an interpretation of Lexus’s Tazuna concept, first introduced on the NX mid-size SUV.

The name Lexus and the word technology go hand-in-hand, and the LBX is a perfect example of this. The LBX is installed with the latest Lexus Link Connect system, operated via a 9.8-inch touchscreen and a new 12.3-inch full digital dashboard display. The system provides cloud-based navigation, assisting with journey planning with real-time information on traffic events and delays.

Drivers and passengers can use their voice to command “Hey Lexus” on-board assistance too. A digital key will allow users to unlock the car using their phones. They don’t have to take their phone out of their pocket or bag; just having it on their person is sufficient. They can also share the digital key when others need to access or use the vehicle.

Furthermore, the central unit has upholstered side pads and houses two cupholders and multiple storage points and USB ports for device connection and charging.

If you’re looking for a large boot space, this one isn’t great. The LBX has a 332-litre luggage area which, compared with 350 for the DS 3 and over 400 for the Peugeot 2008 and VW T-Cross, is significantly smaller.

LBX release date and price
Following its world debut in Milan this June, the LBX will go into production in late 2023.

UK customers can place reservations from July 2023, ahead of pricing being confirmed and orders being accepted from October. First vehicle deliveries are due to comment from March 2024.

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