The smallest Lexus ever made is loaded with luxury but doesn't cost a lot
LEXUS used to make large luxury saloons with big, silky-smooth V8s.
But customers don't want cars anymore — they want SUVs and Lexus has ditched all but one of its saloon car range, now only selling the ES model.
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It has invested heavily in SUVs and Lexus now has a comprehensive line-up available, starting with the baby of the bunch and this week's test drive, the LBX.
Then the rest of the Lexus SUV range consists of the UX and UX Electric, the NX, RZ and range-topping RX that are all hybrids.
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LEXUS BABY SUV: The LBX is the smallest SUV in the Lexus line-up but it isn't lacking in style or luxury and is powered by a 1.5-litre engine and self-charging hybrid system
Credit: Lexus UK
But in keeping with Japanese quirkiness it also produces the LM people carrier, which comes in a seven-seater or a super luxurious four-seater version that brings a whole new meaning to comfort and travelling in style.
But back to the LBX, the smallest Lexus ever.
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It's based on the Toyota Yaris Cross, so they share the same chassis, engine and hybrid system.
The LBX compact SUV may be small in dimensions but it's not lacking in luxury — it's as plush and as well-built as you'd expect a Lexus to be.
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LAP OF LUXURY: Super-soft heated seats and loads of soft leather trim throughout the cabin
Credit: Lexus UK
Key Facts:
Lexus LBX
Cost:
From €39,440 (From £29,995 in the UK)
Engine:
1.5-litre, three cylinder petrol hybrid
Power:
120bhp
Torque:
136Nm
0-100kph:
9.2 seconds
Top Speed:
170kph
Economy:
52.3mpg
Rea world economy:
44mpg
Emissions:
103g/km
Rivals:
Audi Q2, Mercedes GLA, BMW X2, Volvo XC40
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BOOT SIZE: LBX boot is 332 litres and that rises to 994 litres with the rear seats down
Credit: Lexus UK
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The seats are super-sumptuous, but quite figure-hugging, heated of course and there's loads of soft leather trim throughout the cabin.
It's quite compact in the back, and although some bigger Lexus models are like a limo for rear-seat passengers, there's not many creature comforts back there in this one bar a USB-C charging port and electric rear windows.
Most read in Motors
The 9.8-inch central screen is a decent size but the infotainment could use more functionality as there are limited settings compared to some brands like BMW, who have too many apps.
There are plenty of physical buttons and even though the heated seats are operated via the display, if you use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto there's a permanent menu bar at the bottom of the screen so you can always adjust the important functions, even when your phone is connected.
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Power comes from a 1.5-litre, three-cylinder, naturally aspirated petrol engine, so no turbo, and along with the hybrid system the combined output is only 136bhp.
But it makes up for it with torque as the engine produces 129Nm and the electric motor adds a further 185Nm — so its good for a 9.2-second sprint to 100kph and a top speed of 170kph.
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HYBRID SYSTEM: The LBX uses Lexus' famed self-charging hybrid system so you never need to plug it in
Credit: Lexus UK
The CVT gearbox can be a bit vocal under heavy acceleration, but it performs really well. Alas, there's no sport mode.
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It's a self-charging hybrid so you don't need to plug it in to charge and the official combined fuel economy figure is 52.3mpg.
And I averaged 44mpg during mixed driving conditions, so that could easily be bettered on a long run.
It's a brilliant little SUV, benefitting from Lexus build quality and reliability and it starts from €39,440.
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