The All-New 2024 Lexus LBX Is The Smallest, Most Affordable Luxury Toyota

The 2024 LBX is Lexus‘s answer to buyers looking for flair and opulence in their subcompact SUVs. Thanks to their sized-down body features and incredible versatility, crossovers sell like hotcakes, and Lexus is here to take on that opportunity. A crossover having a touch of Lexus’s flagship luxury features and the practicality traits of a Toyota Yaris Cross could set the luxury automaker on the right path.

That said, the world of luxury subcompact SUVs is crowded with renowned and reputable contenders like the BMW X2, Range Rover Evoque, Audi Q2, and Mercedes-Benz GLA, which give a taste of what luxury feels like should buyers happen to pay the premium. So, what could make a Lexus stand apart from such reputable examples?

Well, given their excellent reliability record and mastery in luxury craftsmanship, Lexus’s take on their smallest SUV – the LBX – could provide the company a breakthrough in the subcompact SUV category. Here’s how.

The New LBX Shares Its Platform With A Toyota Yaris Cross

Underneath the skin, the LBX takes on the distinctive traits of a Toyota Yaris Cross by using a similar platform. However, Lexus takes it even further by proudly basing the LBX on a customized version of the GA-B global architecture platform. In simpler terms, it means elevated performance and capabilities in driving and handling dynamics, which is essential for an exhilarating experience behind the wheel.

Flagship-luxury features like the Vehicle Brake Posture Control (VBC) ensure peak driving comfort by attuning the car’s braking dynamics to ensure a smooth jerkless stop. Moreover, the Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS), known for regulating the car’s suspension settings, helps sculpt the perfect ride quality for an effortless driving experience.

Engine Specs

The new LBX features a new hybrid NiMH (battery-powered) motor, which is far more ‘electrifying’ than any lead-acid battery pack. According to Lexus, the battery pack unit is compact and lightweight, thus, addressing a major shortcoming faced by several battery-powered cars.

Additionally, the E-four all-wheel-drive setup is an optional feature that facilitates a silky-smooth start on rough surfaces with the help of an additional electric motor nestled on the car’s rear axle.

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The 2024 LBX Offers Unprecedented Luxury At An Affordable Price

The 2024 Lexus LBX is expected to kick off at $30,000 and top out at $35,000, depending on options and trim levels. Lexus’s baby SUV is set to take on similar-priced rivals like the Peugeot 2008 and the Mini Countryman, which doesn’t mean that the LBX is any run-of-the-mill SUV, but a game-changer thanks to the host of luxury features it has to offer.

Luckily, the 2024 LBX comes equipped with an array of 50-color ambient lighting coupled with a 13-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, which should be enough for a mesmerizing audiovisual wonderland. Additionally, Lexus has gone the extra mile in keeping the noise, vibration, and harness (NVH) to a minimum, thanks to additional damping and sound insulators placed throughout the cabin. To ensure the occupants stay surrounded by clean and fresh air, the LBX uses Panasonic’s Nanoe-X air cleansing technology that improves the well-being of passengers and adds to a more elegant feel.

More importantly, safety is paramount to the LBX, so it comes with an additional layer of security. This includes the Lexus Safety System+ comprising key safety features like radar-guided cruise control, lane-keep assist, pre-collision warning, blind spot monitoring, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA). According to Lexus, certain versions of the LBX may be opted for with an even extended safety package.

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The New LBX’s Visuals Are Elegantly Understated and Subtle

Of course, a Lexus is a Lexus only if it strikes a perfect balance between luxury, simplicity, and elegance. The LBX checks all these marks and proudly carries on the signature Lexus’s ‘Resolute Look’ design, with a slightly different approach to the car’s front end. Also, thanks to its aerodynamic form and smooth contour lines, the side profile appears poised and elegant. Additionally, the new LBX stays true to Lexus’s sleek L-shaped head and taillights, which, coupled with a rear spoiler, give the car a sporty profile in an understated manner.

Moving towards the inside, you are greeted by a rather unclustered, subtle interior space and dash. Also, the LBX builds well on the ‘Tazuna Concept,’ which incorporates a massive 12.3-inch fully-digital infotainment screen to ensure the driver is well-fed with necessary information through easy access and minimal distractions. Nonetheless, you can’t miss the prominent 9.8-inch touchscreen that seamlessly integrates with the interior to make way for a more organized and minimalist center console area.

From meticulous stitching to high-quality synthetic and semi-aniline leather, the material quality is nothing short of refined elegance. So, the combination of a charcoal-themed Tsuyusami trim inlay and leather upholstery helps maintain a luxurious appeal and elevate the driving experience to newer heights.

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The 2024 Lexus LBX Is Scheduled To Go On Sale In Early 2024

According to Lexus, the LBX is set to debut in the UK market in late 2023. Although Lexus hints at bringing the baby luxury SUV to Australia, the States is yet to receive a green light from the company. Reservations and full orders will begin in post-June, while deliveries are set to take place in March 2024.

UK buyers would have the option to choose from a range of 4 different trim levels. While the ‘Elegant’ and ‘Relax’ models focus on the graceful and exquisite dynamics of the car, the remaining models, ‘Emotion’ and ‘Cool,’ are said to fuel the SUV with a lively and engaging character. Nonetheless, each ‘Atmosphere’ model is attuned to varying moods and themes for a more tailored individual lifestyle preference.