2024 Lexus LBX Sports Luxury review (video)

It’s about time Lexus joined the popular small SUV world. The all-new LBX emerges as a fresh contender in the crowded arena. It promises to take hybrid efficiency and practicality to the next level, without compromising on the style, refinement, and luxury experience that Lexus is known for.

While it shares its platform with the Toyota Yaris Cross, Lexus has tweaked more than a few things in the LBX to elevate the end-to-end experience. Of course, this comes with a premium price tag. We spent a week with the top-spec Sports Luxury AWD to see how it shapes up.

2024 Lexus LBX Sports Luxury: Specifications

Engine: 1.5-litre three-cylinder hybrid
Battery: 201.6V, 69kW/185Nm e-motor
Output: 100kW (combined)
Gearbox: CVT auto
Drive type: Front-wheel drive
Wheels: F & R: 18×7.0, 225/55
ANCAP: Not tested
Tare weight: 1395kg
Power-to-weight: 13.95:1 (kg:kW)
Official consumption: 3.8L/100km
Our consumption: 5.3L/100km
Fuel tank/Fuel type: 36L/91 RON

Power efficiency: 26.31kW:L/100km
0-60km/h: 4.26 seconds*
0-100km/h: 10.13 seconds*
60-110km/h: 7.75 seconds*
1/4 mile: 17.31 seconds at 129.6km/h*
Max acceleration: 0.503g*
100-0km/h braking: 38.66m in 3.07 seconds*
Max deceleration: -1.191g*
Decibel at idle (on standby): 23*
Peak decibel at 60-100km/h: 78*
Starting price: $56,990

*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different

2024 Lexus LBX Sports Luxury: How much does it cost?

There are three LBX variants to select from; the Luxury 2WD, Sports Luxury 2WD, and the Sports Luxury AWD that we are reviewing here. Prices start from $47,550, $52,990, and $56,990 respectively (excluding on-road costs). This places it firmly in the premium price zone of the compact SUV market. While the price might seem steep when compared to competitors of this size, it’s not quite comparing apples with apples.

Size-wise, it stands against the likes of the Toyota Yaris Cross, Volkswagen T-Cross, and Kia Stonic. Though, they are not luxury offerings and all fall well under the $45k price point. Then the smallest of other luxury SUVs like the BMW X1, Audi Q2, and Volvo XC40 are much larger in size. The LBX’s price falls in the middle, essentially carving out a new category. Let’s call it the ‘light luxury SUV’ market.

Lexus offers best-in-the-business after sales customer service through its ‘Encore’ program. You get three years free access to exclusive offers, petrol discounts and events, service loan cars with Lexus drop-off and pick-up, and capped-price servicing for $595 each service for five services when performed by Lexus. All LBXs come with a five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty, and servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km.

2024 Lexus LBX Sports Luxury: Interior & packaging

Step inside the LBX, and you’ll immediately notice the efforts Lexus has made to transform the cabin into an elegant sanctuary that goes beyond the compact dimensions. Although it shares its platform with the Yaris Cross, the interior boasts significant refinements that elevate it above mere functionality. Like soft suede that wraps the doors, dash, and seats, enveloping passengers with a plush feel. Or the smooth operating e-latch door handles. Then there are ‘Tsuyasumi’ surfaces, which show a shiny charcoal effect.

The dashboard features a politely-sized 9.8-inch centre screen alongside a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Both of which are intuitive and easy to navigate, especially since air-con controls are separate physical buttons. The screens integrate with in-built satellite navigation, a 13-speaker Mark Levinson sound system (six-speaker Panasonic system in the Luxury), and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Generous connectivity options continue with three front and two rear USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad, and front and rear 12-volt accessory sockets. On the steering wheel, haptic buttons on the Sports Luxury show their function in the cluster as your finger hovers over them to assist with usability while driving.

Given its petite size, practicality is a mixed bag, but it does well with the dimensions available. You get the usual handy storage compartments, a large shelf under the centre console, and a slidable centre armrest. But it misses rear climate vents and a rear centre armrest. Meanwhile, the front and rear door bottle holders, and the glove box are smaller than one might expect.

Space is skewed to prioritise front passengers, giving them a feeling akin to being in a larger SUV. The seats are electronically adjustable and provide excellent support. Expectedly, rear seating is tight for full-sized adults; anyone over six-feet tall will find their knees nudging the seats in front. Although, some pain is allayed with plenty of foot space under the seats.

Boot space is quite deep and adequate for everyday needs – easily accommodating a weekly grocery shop. It swallows 315 litres (the 2WD increases to 402L). In comparison, the Volkswagen T-Cross fits 385L, the Yaris Cross cousin offers 314L, and the bigger UX sibling handles 368L. The battery system is located under the rear seats, which means that the rear seats do not fold flat with the boot floor, and a rather large step up forms where the rear seats lie.

A higher price tag is justified with a long list of standard features, even on the lowest spec. It gets a powered tailgate, 18-inch alloys, proximity entry, heated front seats, an eight-way power driver’s seat with two-way lumbar and memory, autonomous emergency braking with day/night pedestrian and cyclist detection, rear AEB, junction assist, adaptive cruise, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitors, driver monitor camera, safe exit assist, and a surround-view camera, to name a few.

Then the Sports Luxury adds black 18-inch alloys with a 10-twin-spoke design, colour head-up display, active noise control with engine sound enhancement, multi-coloured ambient interior lighting, a heated steering wheel, that 13-speaker Mark Levinson premium sound system, genuine leather-accented shift knob and steering wheel, paddle shifters, those haptic touch-sensitive steering controls, Ultrasuede door trim and ornamentation, and leather-accented and Ultrasuede upholstery with contrast orange stitching.

Externally, the LBX struts a sophisticated and sharp look, with a hint of cuteness in there too. That curved rear, optional contrasting black roof, frameless spindle grille that blends into the body, and crisp ‘Omotenashi’ lighting give it the edge over the rest. Beautifully crafted front and rear LED light bars also give it the illusion that it is bigger than it is.

2024 Lexus LBX Sports Luxury: Powertrain & handling

At the heart of the little Lexus is a 1.5-litre, naturally aspirated, three-cylinder engine. While it plays a gutsy note, it delivers a feeble 67kW/120Nm on its own. Luckily, a helpful nudge comes from front and rear electric motors to boost power to 100kW. This results in an official 0-100km/h clock time of 9.6 seconds. Our test recorded a time of 10.13 seconds. For its premium pricing, a livelier engine is not an unreasonable ask in our opinion. There is the Morizo variant coming early in 2025.

Though, it’s not always a gloomy experience. The instantaneousness of torque from the electric side, combined with an electronic constantly variable auto transmission makes acceleration liveable as they get the LBX rolling up to speed surprisingly quickly. It makes navigating through busy traffic a breeze. It also helps that the LBX is relatively light (1395kg). When there is less electric juice, the engine picks up the slack seamlessly, and the revs tend to stay high even when driven gently. It’s only when you demand more than the standard take-off that acceleration does not greatly improve.

Thrashy tones are typical of small engines, and from the Yaris Cross with a similar setup. But here, noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) improvements have been made so the spirited character shines through quietly, without the harshness.

The shining advantage coming from this hybrid setup is the genuinely impressive fuel figure. Especially among urban environments where the electric-to-petrol ratio is optimal. Officially, it burns an amazing average of just 3.8L/100km. More importantly, this average is achievable in the real world. During our testing, we saw the low-fours. But as more time was spent on the freeway where the petrol side is required more, the average rose to 5.3L/100km. Still a great score. It is also happy to drink the lower priced 91 RON fuel. You can save some serious money here in the long term.

Steering is another highlight of the LBX. It is remarkably light and easy to turn, making parking and city driving less stressful. However, the ride is not as refined as the rest of the car. AWD models score a generally more premium double wishbone independent rear suspension setup, unlike the torsion beam for 2WD models. Yet, it can feel unsettled over bumps. The rear tends to bounce with an unrefined thud, possibly due to the weight of the batteries under the rear seats.

Despite this, handling remains competent, partly thanks to its miniature frame. It feels stable during cornering, with a planted demeanour that inspires confidence. Its size also makes it particularly adept at managing the nuances of tight city streets, making it an excellent choice for urban dwellers.

Of course, driver monitoring is included. But it is significantly less annoying and less intrusive than those found in other carmakers like Hyundais, Kias and GWMs. It more accurately alerts you when you appear distracted. And when it does, it is a gentle beep or a silent message in the dash. It just doesn’t seem to be as overbearing as others.

2024 Lexus LBX Sports Luxury: Key attractions/reasons to buy

• Luxurious style: The interior and exterior exhibit a blend of sophistication and elegance not seen in the compact SUV market, while showcasing Lexus’s commitment to quality.
• Economical performance: The LBX excels in urban settings with its efficient hybrid powertrain, allowing for some significant cost savings over time.
• Ease of use: With its light steering and petite footprint, navigating through city traffic is effortless.
• NVH levels: In typical Lexus style, significant noise/harshness/vibration reductions have been made. While it shares many parts with its Toyota cousin, those refinements elevate it to the top of the market segment.

2024 Lexus LBX Sports Luxury: Key considerations before you buy

• High price point: While the LBX offers lots of features and an elegant edge, the starting price creates a new, niche market in the compact SUV segment. One that is in a market where many buyers want cheap cars.
• Power could do with a boost: Given the LBX’s premium pricing, a livelier engine is not an unreasonable ask. Maybe a turbo added?
• Compact in nature: For those with adult families, rear seating is cramped for taller passengers, and there are no rear air vents or a rear centre armrest.

2024 Lexus LBX Sports Luxury: Video