Here’s Why The New Lexus LBX Is A Uniquely Upmarket SUV

By Jeremy Taylor & Jessica Talbot-Ponsonby

3 days ago

This stylish crossover model blends big car luxuries with smaller dimensions

This post may contain affiliate links. Learn more

Here's Why The New Lexus LBX Is A Uniquely Upmarket SUV

Motoring editor Jeremy Taylor and Jessica Talbot-Ponsonby drive a cheap-running hybrid into the New Year.

Inside The Lexus LBX

JT-P – So, am I right in thinking this is the smallest car Lexus has ever built? The luxury arm of Toyota is better known for larger models, correct?

JT – That’s true. Also known as the Lexus Breakthrough Crossover, the LBX is closely linked to the more modest Toyota Yaris Cross, although Lexus might want to brush over that…

Perhaps but as the entry-level Lexus, it looks super chic on the outside and incredibly refined on the inside. I can’t think of many compact SUVs that offer such a plush cabin.

And the key fact here is that the LBX starts at just under £30,000, rising to around £40,000 for the range-topping edition. It’s prettier than a BMW X1, packs a swankier image than a VW T-Roc and isn’t burdened with reliability issues, like a Range Rover Evoque.

There’s certainly nothing budget about the LBX. Lexus has also topped What Car? magazine’s most reliable car-maker survey for the last seven years. You can’t argue with that!

It might also persuade some compact SUV buyers away from the ubiquitous Audi Q2, thanks to sharper looks and a more distinctive face. Buyers of the more mainstream Yaris Cross, or even the Ford Puma, could also be swayed upmarket by the LBX.

The Lexus is reasonably good fun to drive, too. It’s no Porsche Macan but the 1.5-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine is linked to a self-charging hybrid system that offers 134bhp. Drive it carefully and the LBX will easily top 50mpg.

Just a shame that CVT automatic gearbox makes such a racket under harsh acceleration. On the motorway, the LBX is quiet and refined, and it’s a joy pottering around town too. However, on a twisty A-road, the Lexus becomes more taxing.

At least the plush cabin cossets passengers along the way. Everything feels well-built; there’s a reassuring ‘clunk’ when you close a door. The entry-level Urban model has cloth seats but further up the range there’s the choice of real hide trim, or more sustainable synthetic leather.

All versions get interior ambient lighting – normally reserved for expensive cars – some rather eye-catching air vents, plus a straightforward infotainment system that’s fast and easier to understand. Optional extras include a Mark Levinson sound system and a head-up display for the driver.

And we should mention that the LBX has physical buttons for more everyday functions, like some elements of the climate control. Useful but various other things still require scrolling on the touchscreen. Even so, it’s not as complicated as some rivals.

And what don’t we like?

The door handles! They’re infuriating because you have to push to open, rather than pull. It’s counter-intuitive and explaining that to every new passenger is an annoyance. Rear leg and head room is also tight for adults.

So, is our first car of 2025 a hit or a miss?

A hit! The LBX breaks new ground as a compact SUV that feels like a premium car but costs considerably less. If it was a little more exciting to drive and didn’t wail like a banshee under acceleration, it would be a five star review.