The Lexus LBX is a small SUV built for the city, offering a chic design with a hybrid powertrain that delivers EV only driving under certain driving conditions. The vibrant nature of the LBX is reflected in the range of exterior colours available and their pairing with a contrasting black roof. This Ruby Red LBX is the Sports Luxury AWD grade, which adds premium features plus a selection of intelligent technologies and unique ornamentation.
The LBX is built on a new GA-B platform, which is lightweight and highly rigid with a focus on stability, handling and a low centre of gravity. As a result, the LBX has a solid feeling and is nice to drive despite its small size. There’s a smooth transition between the battery and engine with the hybrid system, but I don’t like how the CVT feels.
Powered by a new self-charging full hybrid electric powertrain that is tuned for a responsive acceleration makes the LBX is perfect for the city. The 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine under the bonnet of the LBX has a modest 100kW of power and a claimed combined fuel consumption of 3.8L/100km and for my week I used 6.1L/100km. A Smart Start and Smart Entry System comes as standard, but I was disconcerted by the lack of a sound when I locked the LBX as I was never sure if I had actually locked it without checking one of the doors.
Takumi craftsmanship enriches the cabin ambiance through the contrasting blend of very nice leather and Ultrasuede accents. The newly developed satin stitch with glossy threads evokes a three-dimensional impression, while the quilting stitch on genuine leather accents highlights playful touches. Together, they create a refined and modern interior for you to enjoy. I particularly liked that there was no gloss black plastic trim in the LBX, instead Lexus have used a nice matt black on the centre console and door trim. Myself and my family were less fond the silly door handles though as you either have to press them once or pull twice to open the door.
Both front seats are heated and the driver’s seat has power adjustment for recline, forward/back, seat height front and rear, 2-way lumbar support and three memory positions. While the passenger seat only has manual adjustment for recline, forward/back and seat height.
Your elevated cabin experience in the LBX Sports Luxury includes a 9.8-inch multimedia display, heated steering wheel, head-up display, Lexus Connected Services, wireless Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay. The wireless Android Auto did not work with my phone, so I had to revert to wired connection using a USB-C port. You also get a 13-Speaker Mark Levinson Premium Audio with a Subwoofer and your media sources include AM/FM radio, DAB, Bluetooth, Android/Apple, and Miracast.
On the leather steering wheel there are touch-sensitive steering wheel controls that have non-descript labels on them. When you touch on the non-descript button on steering wheel a graphic comes up on the digital driver’s dash to tell you what it does. One of these is for the voice control and this worked well for changing the radio station, making phone calls, and setting a destination on the sat nav.
At front of centre console there is a cubby with a wireless phone charger for compatible devices, but the cubby is not deep enough for larger phones to completely fit in it. Above the cubby there are two USB-C ports and under the centre console there’s a ledge with another USB-C port and one 12V socket. You get dual zone climate controls, but the speed controls are on the infotainment screen only and they were fiddly to use, thankfully the temperature control does have a physical button to adjust it as well as infotainment buttons.
Storage in the cabin of the LBX consists of a narrow cubby under the arm rest with a sliding square cup holder, both of which have a removable rubber base for easy cleaning. At the front of the centre console there’s another cup holder at that has grippy sides and a removable rubber base for easy cleaning. The drink bottle storage in front door cubbies is a bit tight for larger drink bottles.
There rear seats had only adequate head room for me and my knees hard up against the back of the front seats. So taller individuals would find it to be tight. For younger passengers there are two ISOfix/three rear tether child seat restraint points. The centre seat does not fold down as an arm rest, but passengers do get good size drink bottle storage in the rear door cubbies, but they are on a slight angle. There are two USB-C ports between the front seats, but no rear air vents. I really like that there is a carpet mat over the entire length of the rear floor.
The LBX has a powered boot with the a button on the boot, key fob and cabin. The boot space is shallow and if more space is required the rear seats have a 40:60 split fold mechanism with the release located on the outer shoulder of each rear seat. There are four substantial tie down points, one 12V socket and a light that consists of one LED globe in the boot and a tyre repair kit located under the boot floor.
The LBX provides a comprehensive suite of safety features within Lexus Safety System+ to help support safe driving practices and eight airbags, but it does not have an ANCAP safety rating. The Lexus Safety System + includes a Pre-Collision System, Intersection Collision Avoidance Support, Emergency Steering Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Trace Assist, Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and a Driver Monitor Camera that told me at one point to ‘Sit up!’ It also has a standard rear-view camera and a 360-degree view camera with front and rear sensors. For convenience you also get auto lights with auto high beam and auto rain sensing wipers.
When you purchase your LBX new from your preferred Lexus dealer you will receive three years access to Lexus Encore a membership program where owners enjoy benefits from a number of premium partners. In addition to exclusive events, there’s an Ampol fuel offer where you receive a 5c/litre fuel discount in one transaction per 24 hour period per vehicle registered to a Lexus App account. You also get a service loan car and coverage with Lexus DriveCare that includes breakdown assistance with fuel, battery or tyre/wheel replacement, basic mechanical assistance, breakdown towing as required to a Lexus Dealer or nominated technical centre, Personal Assist service (Terms and Conditions apply), and clothing and personal effects cover up to $250 (including GST).
All new Lexus vehicles come with a 5 Year/Unlimited Kilometre plus an additional 5 years (up to a total of 10 years / Unlimited kms) subject to annual Traction Battery Health Check after 5th year in accordance with Lexus specifications. The service interval for the LBX is every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever occurs first, and under Lexus Capped Price Servicing the first five services will cost $595 each.
The Lexus LBX Sports Luxury AWD is priced from $56,990 plus on-road costs and as tested with the premium paint in Ruby Red ($1,750) this LBX is $58,740 plus on-roads. You can Build & Price your LBX online or visit your preferred Lexus dealer for more information.
| Pros | Cons |
| It’s chic looks | The CVT |
| Solid feeling drive | The interior door handles |
| The nice cabin trim | Air speed controls on infotainment screen |
Photographs by Driven Women Magazine.