Lexus LBX Review 2024

The Lexus LBX is the most compact model this Japanese car maker has ever produced, but it comes with the level of quality you’d expect. It sits on the same platform as the Toyota Yaris Cross, but faces tough competition in the small SUV class. Can it challenge the best? Our Lexus LBX review will reveal all.

What the platform provides is a solid base for a hybrid set-up featuring a 1.5-litre petrol engine delivering 138PS, which is mated to an e-CVT gearbox.

It comes as a front-wheel-drive car or there’s the option of all-wheel-drive if you’re keen on a little more grip. You’ll therefore be able to enjoy some very economical electric-only around town transport, before the engine kicks into gear when more power is needed. 

It’s the sort of set-up that Toyota has always been so good at, and the arrangement works well for the Lexus LBX too, with the caveat that the little engine gets a tad flustered when it’s pushed.

Nevertheless, the Lexus LBX delivers a 0-62mph time of 9.2 seconds for the front-wheel-drive model and 9.6 from the all-wheel-drive variant. Official WLTP combined cycle figures show fuel economy of up to 62.8mpg and CO2 emissions from 102g/km, so it should be cheap to run.

Aside from that slightly rough-around-the-edges engine, the Lexus LBX offers up a pleasing mix of decent performance, well-rounded handling in a variety of driving scenarios and comfort along the way.

Naturally, there’s a premium feel for the cockpit, with a whole host of trim variants available and plenty of vegan-friendly synthetic interior coverings.

Equipment levels are solid too, with all of the accoutrements you’d expect and more besides, if you shell out for one of the higher-end trim levels.

The downside to this is the scale of choice. Lexus has created a multi-tiered range of trim options that can prove bewildering to decipher. Cars fitted with the Takumi and Takumi Design grades get you the best levels of luxury and kit.

It’s commendable, though, that Lexus has introduced some exciting new exterior colours into its palette, which can be nicely complemented if you can fathom out what’s available. Unlike the simplicity of the lone powertrain offering, you’ll need to allow plenty of time to peruse that options list.

The Lexus LBX is far from unique, however. Far from it, with the company eyeing the likes of the Audi Q2 and always popular MINI Countryman as the most obvious competitors.

You don’t have to look far to find other alternatives either, and these include the Volvo XC40, big-selling Ford Puma or another interesting option from Japan, the Mazda CX-30.

The new Volvo EX30 also looks like a potential alternative, if you want all-electric rather than hybrid motoring.

Smaller cars make a lot of sense to the right kind of buyer, so if you’re, say, a couple with no children or a family with younger offspring, the Lexus LBX may well appeal.

If you’ve got more people to move, who are on the larger side, the Lexus LBX isn’t quite such an enticing prospect, despite the ‘five-seater’ tag the company has given it.

As long as you’re happy to put up with the space limitations though, the interior of the Lexus LBX is every bit as lovely as its deliciously designed exterior.

At 4.19 metres long, 1.82 metres wide and 1.54 metres high, the car is going to be well-suited to cramped city streets, something which is further enhanced by the 5.6-metre turning circle.

The Lexus LBX is therefore very practical for shorter journeys, where luggage and other stuff is unlikely to be a worry. 

It is less practical if you’re aiming to do longer runs, with a boot space of between 315 litres and 402 litres depending on the model variant, and whether or not it has a beefy subwoofer in the back.

Drop the rear seats and this improves to 994 litres, but obviously the loss of the seating is the compromise. Either way, the Lexus LBX comes up a bit short on space.

Nevertheless, this is a comfortable premium small SUV and it can cope with any type of journey, especially if you’re lucky enough to be sat in the front.

Equipment levels are generous, with more goodies if you add on Lexus options further up the trim list. It’s also pleasing to sit in thanks to the various seat coverings that are available, with vegan-friendly alternatives to leather as well as suede-type options all on offer.

As you’d expect, the overall quality and finish of the Lexus LBX is excellent throughout and the car really benefits from some new colour combinations.

Although you’d naturally expect the Lexus LBX to be even better at the top of the trim tree, the cars fitted with cloth interiors actually feel a little quieter than those with the faux leather. 

The Lexus LBX comes in an array of model grades – Urban, Premium, Premium Plus and Takumi – with a further Premium Plus Design or Takumi Design variation on the theme.

This is topped off with a run of 250 Original Edition cars. Even the lowliest Lexus LBX Urban is decent enough, with some premium touches that lift it above the mundane. 

The best bit has to be the exterior design, which is undeniably classy. However, the quintessentially Japanese-flavoured Omotenashi design feel and Tazuna cockpit in the so-called ‘Atmosphere’ cars takes things up another notch or two.

Buying the Lexus LBX might mean you get a smaller car than others in the firm’s portfolio, but the quality is as good as ever.

One of the undoubted highlights in the cockpit is the infotainment system.

There’s a very vibrant 9.8-inch central touchscreen that dominates the cockpit area, although full marks should go to Lexus for the 12.3-inch digital instrument binnacle, which boasts trademark fonts and icons as seen in other current models. 

The infotainment system feels bang up to date with a host of features and functions that make it worth investigating, including Lexus Link Connect aimed at streamlining interaction via that touchscreen. However, there’s also Apple CarPlay and Android Auto if you prefer to do you own thing.

Either way, higher models in the range offer more appeal thanks to a 13-speaker Mark Levinson audio system that really does justice to your tunes. The Lexus LBX Urban is less plush and only has a six-speaker system.

The Lexus LBX comes in a host of model grades and is priced at for the £29,995 for the Urban, while the Premium car is £32,495, the Premium Plus £34,495, the Premium Plus Design £35,595 and Takumi at £38,245. 

Even more upmarket is the Takumi Design at £39,245, the Takumi AWD, which costs £39,545, and the Takumi Design AWD, which tops out the range for £40,545.

There’s a limited Original Edition too, costing £39,995 although only 250 are being made available.

Whichever trim level you opt for, the only powertrain is the 1.5-litre hybrid, although there is the choice of front-wheel drive or an all-wheel-drive variant as outlined in the pricing above.

The 1.5-litre hybrid powertrain of the Lexus LBX will return savings over time thanks to its ability to carry out parts of a journey using electric power only. 

It delivers 138PS with peak torque of 185Nm. Official WTLP figures suggests the small SUV could be good for up to 62.8 miles per gallon, with CO2 emissions from 102g/km.

The Lexus LBX is eligible for Lexus warranty protection for up to 10 years or 100,000 miles (whichever comes first) for added peace of mind.

This is comprised of an initial three-year manufacturer warranty and then gets boosted by a further seven years of service-activated warranty if needed. 

The Lexus LBX sits on quite big tyres, with either 17-inch alloys on the base-level model or 18s for the rest of the model range.

Therefore, the look and feel of the car is quite upright, allowing for quick, easy navigation of busy city streets with a decent view of the road ahead.

Hit the motorway and the little engine does tend to start revving enthusiastically if you push it to any degree, but it keeps up with your driving demands for the most part.

There’s some fun to be had if you’re on curvy B-roads, too, with not too much in the way of body roll in evidence if the Lexus LBX isn’t pushed too hard.

However, tuck into a tight corner at speed and those higher profile tyres do allow the car to wander sideways a little. 

The Lexus LBX has been tailored for just this sort of situation, however, with the incorporation of its braking posture control system.

Plus, there’s the benefit of MacPherson-type struts at the front and torsion beam on the front-wheel drive car, with a double-wishbone set-up and trailing arms suspension at the rear for four-wheel drive models to further compensate for any body roll.

You even get a reasonably good view out of the back of the Lexus LBX, but for added peace of mind the rear-view camera works to good effect.

The small SUV can be easily parked too, thanks to its practical door mirrors and light steering. Using it, and the decent turning circle, allows you to pick through tight spots without breaking into a sweat. It’s a solid all-rounder.

You can only get the Lexus LBX with one engine option and the 1.5-litre hybrid, mated to its e-CVT transmission, is a decent enough combination. 

It works well in the front-wheel-drive-only version, but anyone wanting a little more grip might care to explore the all-wheel-drive edition.

Either way, you’ll benefit from the hybrid arrangement, most notably around town where setting off is a serene experience thanks to the ability to use electric power only.

The Lexus LBX is available in two versions. Firstly, there’s an edition that features a Comfort Pack without the 5 Star NCAP Pack.

Alternatively, there’s the Comfort Pack + edition that has the 5 Star NCAP Pack and also Smart Entry.

Higher trim models also come with an Advanced Safety Pack, which features the likes of a panoramic view monitor, lane change assist and front cross traffic alert.

Despite its reasonably diminutive stature, the Lexus LBX can be used for towing purposes and has the capacity to pull loads of up to 750kg where needed.

Lexus is offering a veritable feast when it comes to specifications, although the range of options is also slightly confusing to pick through.

The simplest option of the lot is the base-level Lexus LBX Urban, which comes with the least amount of kit. Nevertheless, there’s front-wheel drive, 9.8-inch Lexus Link Connect infotainment, Lexus Safety System+ and a rear-view camera.

It can be optionally equipped with a Comfort Pack, either without 5 Star NCAP or one with 5 Star NCAP that features Smart Entry. 

Next, Lexus has come up with four themes, dubbed Atmospheres, which come on top of the standard Comfort Pack.

All of the Atmospheres get the Comfort Pack as standard, but buyers can also add Tech, Premium or Advanced Packs, all of which are layered on top of the specification below it. For example, if you pick an Advanced Pack the car comes with everything included in the Premium, Tech and Comfort Packs.

The Lexus LBX Comfort Pack includes front-wheel drive, 9.8-inch Lexus Link Connect, Lexus Safety System+, rear view camera, heated seats, USB/wireless charger, rain sensors and lumbar support. The 5-Star NCAP edition adds the likes of a driver monitor and parking sensors at the front and back.

With the Lexus LBX Tech Pack, you get the addition of front-wheel or all-wheel-drive, powered mirrors, power tailgate, smart entry, a 12.3-inch Tazuna Cockpit and Nanoe X operating system.

Load up a Lexus LBX Premium Pack and all-wheel drive, a digital key plus fog lamps, cornering lamps and adaptive high-beam system headlamps come into the mix.

Finally, Lexus LBX Advanced Packs builds offer front-wheel or all-wheel-drive, a 13-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, head-up display, remote parking functionality, a panoramic view monitor and front-cross traffic alert along with Lane Change Assist.