Lexus' offering grows with the debut of a new model for the premium B-SUV segment. Due to its features, the LBX is key to the brand's growth, a self-charging hybrid crossover that is designed to be accessible and easy to drive, in tune with a contemporary style that combines high quality with a casual feel.
The Lexus LBX measures 4.19 m in length, 1.82 m in width and 1.54 m in height, dimensions that are combined with a wheelbase of 2.58 m. Lexus has focused the development of the vehicle based on the preferences, tastes and trends of European customers. The only self-charging hybrid in its segment, the Japanese brand expects to sell 25,000 units in the European market in 2024.
The LBX offers strong appeal to a younger audience and those who may not have considered Lexus until now. It's also an interesting proposition for those looking to downsize or purchase a second vehicle, meeting their changing lifestyle needs.
Factors such as bodywork, suspension tuning, braking and steering all contribute to producing a vehicle that responds instantly and faithfully to the driver's input. These virtues have been corroborated in the first dynamic contact with the vehicle, carried out on all types of routes. The LBX is a stable car, with high cornering and very notable ride comfort. Optimally combined with the CVT automatic transmission, the powertrain pushes enough to achieve remarkable performance, always with low consumption figures, from 4.4 l/100 km WLTP.
The mechanical offer is made up of two versions, with two and four-wheel drive, always with a total power of 136 HP. The new transmission, together with the 1.5-liter self-charging hybrid system composed of a three-cylinder gasoline engine and an electric engine, offers rewarding performance, with powerful acceleration (0-100 km/h in 9.2 seconds for FWD) and linear from the start. This helps deliver low-speed agility that is well suited to the demands of urban driving.
The new bipolar nickel-metal hydride hybrid battery provides greater responsiveness in a more compact, smaller and lighter design, while extensive road noise and vibration absorption measures ensure a quiet and comfortable onboard experience. silent, typical of a premium model.
The styling of the LBX establishes a new Lexus identity with a new Resolute Look front design, which reinterprets Lexus' famous signature double arrowhead grille. While the exterior dimensions are more compact than any other Lexus, the appearance is muscular and powerful.
Thanks to an oriented driving position, controls and information sources are organized in such a way that only small hand and eye movements are required to have everything under control, keeping your attention on the road. The interior space accommodates five passengers and the trunk offers 402 liters of volume, a figure that is reduced to 317 liters in the case of the all-wheel drive model.
The cabin has excellent visibility and highlights the wraparound Lexus Digital Cockpit instrument panel of up to 12.3 inches. In addition, it is possible to vary its display depending on the driving mode chosen to adapt to the preferences of each user. Details such as Mark Levinson audio systems with up to 13 speakers, the steering wheel with programmable touch controls and ambient lighting also stand out.
The LBX is offered in a choice of four styles – an alternative term for “finish” – along with a generously equipped base model. These styles focus on expressing different conceptions of refinement or sportiness through style details, colors, textures and finishes. Personalization is another of its strong points.
The range, which can be consulted through a new online configurator, includes a special launch edition called Original Edition (2,000 units), with a high level of equipment and exclusive and unique aesthetic details. Based on the “Cool” style, it includes four two-tone exterior colors such as the exclusive Copper Petra, 18-inch Black Matte wheels finished in matte black, or exterior details in titanium chrome complemented by the Original Edition anagrams. All this is finished off by an interior finish in Leather and UltraSuede with high-contrast stitching in black.
Available from 33,900 euros (31,500 euros financed), Lexus' goal is to sell around 3,000 units of the LBX in Spain during 2024. Although deliveries will begin in spring, the brand already has more than 500 reservations. Of them, 60% correspond to private clients, 50% are intended for women and the average age is ten years younger than the rest of the brand.
