Lexus’s Mini Marvel: How the LBX is Redefining Compact SUVs

Lexus’ Small SUV
LBX, A Departure from Previous Models
A Comprehensive Look at What We Know

Deliveries of the Lexus LBX began in Australia on March 18. With an initial batch of 1,500 units, this vehicle is Lexus’s smallest and most affordable hybrid model. The LBX is a smaller SUV than the Lexus UX, comparable to the Kona, and exclusively available as a hybrid model. The LBX introduces a unique naming convention, a departure from previous Lexus models. Lexus, which has dominated the market with large sedans and SUVs, showcases a distinctive appeal with this premium small SUV, boosting the brand’s competitiveness. Let’s explore the options this model can offer, which charts a different path from Lexus’s traditional trajectory.

What’s the Size and Design of the Smallest Lexus SUV, LBX?

The Lexus LBX, designed for urban driving, is based on the GA-B platform, the same as the Toyota Yaris. The vehicle measures 165 inches in length, 72 inches in width, 61.4 inches in height, and has a wheelbase of 101.6 inches. The LBX is smaller than most miniature Lexus models in Korea, the UX, which measures 177 inches in length, 72.4 inches in width, 60.6 inches in height, and has a wheelbase of 103.9 inches.

The exterior of the LBX incorporates many elements of Lexus’s latest design language. Notably, the front headlights and grille add a touch of luxury to the compact size and become the focal point of the front end. The interior features a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9.8-inch heads-up display, and semi-aniline leather.

LBX Hybrid: Luxury Performance Worthy of the Brand

The LBX, only available as a hybrid, offers three models in Australia, where it has recently started deliveries. The Lexus LBX comes standard with a front-wheel-drive layout and an e-CVT. This model features a 1.5L 3-cylinder gasoline engine that delivers 67kW and 120 Nm and a single electric motor generator producing 69kW and 185 Nm through a nickel-hydrogen battery.

For the LBX Sports Luxury AWD, an electric motor is added to the rear, bringing the total to three motors. The engine mounted in the rear produces 4.7kW and 52 Nm, but both drivetrain options have the same total system output of 100kW. Although the two-wheel-drive model has slightly better fuel efficiency, the difference is insignificant.

This Price for a Small SUV?

In the Australian market, the LBX is selling at prices of AUD 47,550 ($34,750) for the 2024 Lexus LBX Luxury 2WD, AUD 52,990 ($38,750) for the 2024 Lexus LBX Sports Luxury 2WD, and AUD 56,990 ($41,650) for the Lexus LBX Sports Luxury AWD. These prices are about $8,700 higher than similar models like the Renault Captur and Volkswagen T-Cross.