The Lexus LBX is the luxury carmaker’s most attainable car to date. And we think, this could very well be all the personal luxury you need.

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Photos: Clifford Chow & Muhammad Mu’tasim
Text: Clifford Chow

SINGAPORE

So Lexus did a thing. They thought small and produced what I deem is a brilliant stroke of brilliance. The Lexus LBX is the luxury carmaker’s smallest product offering. A B-Segment SUV, which I feel, is ideal as your very own personal luxury car.

If you remember, Audi did pull something similar a few short years ago, when they brought us the Q2 SUV – a premium luxury small compact that sat below the Q3. For Audi, it was a no-brainer, since they had access to its Volkswagen parent’s flexible MQB family compact vehicle architecture. Lexus has gone down that similar path, tapping on to its Toyota parent to bring us a small SUV which sits below the UX.

I believe some of you might harbour that thought about the LBX having, what is deemed as humbler underpinnings. But what I can say is, Lexus did put in considerable effort to make their smallest luxury SUV… for a lack of a better way of saying it – a Lexus.

And that effort pays off, since the LBX does have a commanding (enough) presence. I like that its spindle grille is well-proportioned, in relation to its headlamps and the rest of its front-end. Other things Lexus, include sculpted door-mounted mirrors, which provide a gap to aid you in checking your blind spot. At the rear, it shares a more pronounced light signature as compared to its larger siblings.

The story of quality is consistent on the inside. And to help with this, a few parts are carried-over from larger siblings. This includes the gearshift lever, and the steering wheel. The LBX also has the same button feel, and those solenoid-actuated door release tabs, which are also found in the BMW X3-rivalling NX and RX.

The interior, which is largely slathered with suede-like upholstery, would easily attract the likes of Brett Anderson, Neil Codling or Richard Oaks, like bees to honey; disconnects you from the harshness of asphalt, the world outside… and insulates when the rain falls. I apologise for the poorly-disguised song references.

At the centre of the console, a near-squared 9.8-inch infotainment touchscreen, is probably all the infotainment real estate you’d ever need. Lexus has exercised restraint here, where most other brands would have gone with the mantra – the bigger the better. While there is praise for the screen size, I wish attention would have also been paid to the operating system, as it does seem a little dated. Premium audio, which is supplied by Mark Levinson, exceeds my expectations. However, I wish that finding the audio adjustment menu was less confusing.

While the LBX does check many positive boxes up-front, it does reveal its Yaris Cross origins once you get into the rear. It becomes apparent that leg space and thigh support are limited. There is also a lack of air-conditioning vents for rear passengers. 

Boot capacity at 402-litres is actually quite impressive, given the SUV’s tiny footprint. However, the boot lip sits too high, and the rear seats leave a kerb when folded.

If you are one who’s looking for a personal luxury car, the best bit about the LBX is how easy it is to drive on a daily basis. Like it’s Toyota Yaris Cross sibling, it has the ability to fit in almost any space; but where it defines itself as a Lexus, is where that same 1.5-litre 3-cyl hybridised powertrain delivers so well on smoothness, while most major vibrations have largely been eliminated.

For the most part, the LBX drives well. It feels moderately stiffer than its Toyota sibling, but where it pays dividends is around corners, where the small Lexus SUV feels remarkably planted, and surprisingly balanced. The stiffer suspension does however, reveal itself over harsher surfaces, where occasionally, noise does transfer into the cabin.

Beyond the LBX’s handling prowess, the hybrid powertrain does contribute to its efficiency. Its official fuel consumption figure of 26.3km/l is remarkable, and not impossible to attain. I floated between 24-25km/l, which is close.

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Lexus’ introduction of the LBX is timely, since they have found a small, but valuable white space, which is the Premium B-Segment; which is only occupied by the Audi Q2. At a stretch, competition does come in the form of the electrified trio – the Volvo EX30, Smart #1 and the in-coming Zeeker X.

My take is that their pint-sized luxury SUV is quite the stroke of genius, if you (the young person, with them many aspirations) share the view that this is truly a personal luxury vehicle. However… and it is a big ‘However’… the $234,800 price tag for this Category A COE premium SUV (or anything else premium for that matter) might be very difficult to justify.

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Lexus LBX Hybrid 1.5 Cool

Engine	1,490cc, inline 3
Power	91hp at 5500rpm
Torque	185Nm at 3600-4800rpm
Gearbox	E-CVT
Electric Motor	92hp
Battery	Lithium ion, unknown capacity
Total System Power	127hp
0-100km/h	9.6 seconds
Top Speed	170km/h
Fuel Efficiency	3.8L/100km
VES/CO2	A2/86g/100km
Agent	Borneo Motors
Price	S$234,800 with COE
Available	Now
Verdict	Safe, easy to drive, stylish and economical, this is going to be the next big mainstream hit

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