The new Lexus LBX brings luxury to the B segment

With the Lexus LBX, the Japanese are entering the B segment in their very own way. Autovision will tell you ins and outs the all-new Lexus LBX, the Japanese luxury brand’s smallest ever model.

The Lexus LBX is a compact crossover with a premium character touch. When it comes to size, think of the Toyota Yaris Cross, which the LBX shares a platform with. However, Lexus wants to know that this platform is not completely identical. For example, the Lexus has a longer wheelbase and a wider track. One can see that. The LBX has a wide, somewhat squat stance.

Bespoke Lexus LBX

However, it is above all the luxury factor in which the Lexus must excel. In the stylish interior you will get to know chic materials such as leather and suede. Imitation leather is also an option, if only in one of the four variants atmospheres. the atmosphere-Watt? In addition to a basic cloth trim, Lexus also offers a choice of four trim levels, or as Lexus calls it: atmospheres. You can choose from the emotion-, Cool-, Elegant– And Relaxversion and each has its own style characteristics. This refers to the (two tone) color, upholstery, stitching, use of materials and wheel size. We tell you more about it in the video above.

In addition – or rather: above – Lexus offers that tailor-made-Possibility. Anyone who’s been paying attention during English class knows where this leads. The Japanese make it possible to put together a tailor-made interior when buying a Lexus LBX. In addition, you have a (limited) choice of material types and you can even choose the color of your stitching, padding and even belts. Lexus brings a premium feeling to the B segment that we have not seen before. Although the brand believes it is in a class of its own with the Lexus LBX, after some insistence, Lexus European CEO Dimitris Tripospitis tells us that models like the Audi Q2 are the closest to the LBX in terms of the competition come.

technology on board

Technically, the Lexus LBX is in no way inferior to larger luxury cars. The compact crossover comes standard with numerous safety functions that recognize dangerous situations. By accelerating or braking, the car can try to avoid accidents. Nice to be on board. There is also technology in the car whose existence is debatable, such as the electronic door handles inside and outside.

Technology we – thankfully – no longer see in this Lexus is the not-so-intuitive touchpad, which Lexus has previously featured in various models. Instead, the 9.8-inch infotainment screen works with a touchscreen. Unfortunately, many function controls are disappearing in the digital world, although volume and temperature can still be controlled with physical buttons. A 12.3-inch screen serves as the digital instrument panel.

Powertrain of the compact crossover

Under the hood of the Lexus LBX is a 1.5-liter three-cylinder and is supported by an electric motor. Together they deliver 136 hp and 185 Nm of torque to the front wheels. Enough to accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in 9.2 seconds. If E-four The Lexus LBX is also available with all-wheel drive. There is also an electric motor on the rear axle. However, the performance remains the same. Whether this is necessary in the flat Netherlands is questionable. Especially when you consider that this version devours a large part of the standard trunk volume of 332 liters.

The new price of the Lexus LBX is not yet known. This is probably close to (or even slightly higher than) the value of the Audi Q2, which you’ll soon be paying in excess of forty grand for. Interested? The LBX will go into production at the end of this year and the first models will be delivered in early 2024.