Lexus LBX

Lexus is renowned for creating some of the best cabins and the 2024 LBX doesn’t disappoint. The look and feel will remind of the company’s larger sports utility vehicles (SUVs) like the Lexus NX. The cabin gets plus-feel materials in all the right places. It’s a combination of synthetic and leather finishes. The dashboard is elegant and restrained. The quality of materials for the key touch-points feel the part. There’s a wireless smartphone charger and a rear privacy glass. The 9.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system may look small but is nicely-sized for a premium crossover. Lexus has vastly improved its infotainment software in recent years. There’s a 10.8-inch digital information display. The door bins, glove box, and the central storage compartment are rather compact, as is expected from a crossover. The driver’s seat and the multifunction steering wheel offer plenty of adjustment.

The 2024 Lexus LBX looks smart and tidy, particularly from the front. It looks a bit less rugged than the Toyota Yaris Cross, though the black plastic body cladding contributes to the LBX’s aggressive demeanour. The styling does establish a new identity for the brand. The front sports a small spindle grille void of a frame. It looks less formal. The curved and smooth bodywork has a number of interesting lines that helps the airflow to improve efficiency. At the back there’s a full-width lightbar and the Lexus lettering is spread across the lid of the boot, as is the fashion these days. The number plate is positioned lower down. There’s also a small spoiler mounted on the roof’s rear edge. The car runs on 17-inch alloy wheels.

The cabin isn’t hugely spacious for a crossover of its size, but there’s no struggle involved to get into the front seats of the 2024 Lexus LBX. The doors are fairly wide to allow easy ingress and egress. The seats come with multi-level adjustment and there’s a lot of headroom and legroom. But the rear seats are somewhat cramped. A six-foot tall passenger many find their heads touching the ceiling. The 2024 Lexus LBX isn’t technically a five-passenger car. Fitting a child seat is pretty tough. Boot space is 332 litres.  The relatively stiff suspension makes the Lexus LBX a confidence-inspiring vehicle on twisty roads. The air-conditioner offers fast cooling.

The 2024 Lexus LBX is equipped with a three-cylinder, 1.5-liter petrol engine that produces 134PS/185Nm. The motor is mated to a front-wheel-drive continuously variable transmission (CVT). The transmission itself isn’t entirely seamless particularly during hard acceleration. Ride quality is the happiest when driven gently. The car comes with a nickel-metal-hydride battery for the hybrid setup. The Lexus LBX makes silent progress during in-city driving because the electric motor can manage itself in start-stop traffic. With a small wheelbase, the car turns corners instantly. The handling is excellent. It’s nimble on congested roads and is a perfect car for city driving.   

Lexus cars are known for their safety. Standard equipment includes a blind spot monitor, pre-collision system, rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, a rear-view camera, adaptive cruise control, automated emergency braking, and multiple airbags. All four wheels come with disc brakes. The tyres have great traction and stops the car immediately.

The 2024 Lexus LBX is a premium crossover and is targeted at buyers who want to travel in a bit more comfort. It has a plush cabin, the hybrid setup ensures better fuel economy, and the overall build quality is solid. It’s a car worthy of its price.