Lexus LBX hybrid review: We get under the bonnet and hit the road

Lexus has long been known for creating SUVs that combine luxury with bulletproof reliability.

The only trouble is, their SUVs tend to come in two sizes – large and larger. Until now, that is.

The LBX is the smallest car Lexus has ever made. It’s also the most affordable model in the Lexus range, and the company will be hoping its svelte size and lower price point attracts younger buyers.

The LBX is a small but high-quality crossover. Image: Lexus.

The vehicle in a gravel courtyard next to a property with fields in the background — It has a 1.5 litre hybrid engine. Image: Lexus.

Cynics may point out that it is nothing more than a rebadged Yaris Cross. There’s nothing wrong with the Yaris Cross, though – it’s an impressive wee car – and the LBX does benefit from a higher-quality Lexus interior.

It’s a smart-looking beastie, with sharp headlights, a large honeycomb grille, and rear lights that span the full width of the car.

While it’s the size of a small family hatchback, it has the higher driving position that SUV and crossover buyers like. This makes it easier to get in and out of, as well as giving you a better view of the road ahead.

Under the bonnet of the Lexus LBX hybrid

Under the bonnet there is a 1.5-litre, three-cylinder self-charging hybrid – the same as you get in the Yaris Cross.

Power output is up 20bhp over the Toyota, though, with the LBX putting out 134bhp to the Yaris Cross’s 114bhp.

It’s an extremely efficient engine, with official fuel consumption 61.4mpg and CO2 emissions of just 104g/km.

The Lexus on a winding country road — Fuel economy is in excess of 60mpg. Image: Lexus.

Prices start at a fiver under £30,000 and top out at just north of £40,000. Most models are front-wheel drive but top-spec versions get an additional electric motor on the rear axle, making them four-wheel drive.

Speed isn’t bad, with front-wheel drive models hitting 0-62mph in 9.2 seconds and four-wheel drive models arriving at that speed 0.4 seconds later thanks to their extra weight. All models are paired with a CVT automatic gearbox.

What’s it like inside?

Set foot inside the Lexus LBX and it feels like a premium car. The interior is several notches above that of anything Toyota does.

You get the choice of fabric, leather, or vegan leather upholstery. The ambient lighting has no fewer than 64 different colours to choose from.

Lexus used to be justifiably maligned for its woeful entertainment system. In previous-generation models I’ve found myself screaming at the car while trying to negotiate a fiddly trackpad around a screen with one finger.

The car's interior — It has an excellent interior. Image: Lexus.

The comfortable leather seats — The leather seats are comfortable. Image: Lexus.

Thankfully the new system is much better, with a sensible layout, some physical buttons, and touchscreen controls that are generally easy to use.

High-spec models come with a head-up display that is height adjustable (handy for tall chaps like me) and a 13-speaker Mark Levinson stereo.

There isn’t much room in the back of the LBX and boot space is mediocre. It’s fine for couples with small children but anyone who regularly carts large adults around in the rear seats will want something bigger.

Behind the wheel

Sadly, I didn’t get as much time in the Lexus LBX as I would like. Lexus and its parent company Toyota refuse to send press demonstrator cars to motoring journalists in Scotland.

I travelled to Bedfordshire for a Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders event, at which numerous car makers bring their latest models for car writers to try out.

I got about half an hour behind the wheel of a LBX in Takumi trim, with a £38,000 price tag.

Driving around the private facility’s hill course (where they filmed the Aston Martin DBS flipping scene in Casino Royale) it handled the uneven camber without any complaints.

A rear view of the Lexus LBX hybrid — The engine doesn’t like to be worked hard but it is very economical. Image: Lexus.

Once it’s up to a steady speed, the Lexus LBX has a quiet interior and is an excellent car to cover long distances in.

The engine and CVT gearbox don’t like to be worked hard, and overtaking manoeuvres are accompanied by a bit of raucousness from under the bonnet.

It’s a car that encourages you to drive more sedately. Do so and it’s a relaxing and easy car to live with – and one that returns excellent fuel economy.

Rivals for the LBX include the Audi Q2, Mini Countryman, and BMW X2.

Should you buy a Lexus LBX over the above models? I don’t see why not. It’s a good-looking little crossover with a very nice interior.

And Lexus has one of the best reliability records in the car industry so you can expect many years of hassle-free driving. As long as you don’t require acres of internal space, you should be very content with it.

Lexus LBX hybrid review – facts:

Price: £38,245

0-62mph: 9.2 seconds

Top speed: 106mph

Economy: 61.4mpg

CO2 emissions: 104g/km