Lexus LBX in first drive report: OK inside

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Toyota made several attempts to gain a foothold in the luxury segment. In Europe, the sales figures of the specially established Lexus brand remained flat, although there were several attempts to be closer to the masses. Another one follows with the small hybrid SUV LBX, but it won’t be easy. The first short car shows that this has less to do with the car itself and more with the environment in which it competes.

What separates Toyota from Lexus

The Lexus LBX shares a technical base with the Toyota Yaris Cross. Visually, these two have little to do with each other apart from the fact that they are similar in size. Lexus has a more stable design. Both are well made. What sets it apart is the different surface quality. The Yaris cross is set for work, the LBX strives for noblesse – successfully. Only the Stellantis brand DS makes a lot of effort in this segment. The LBX is also more carefully insulated and therefore quieter than the Yaris Cross.

Considering that it is only 4.19 m tall, you should not expect any miracles in terms of space. In the back it becomes tight for knees and heads if you are 1.8 m tall soon. The trunk is also not generous at 332 liters in the front-wheel drive model. According to the price list, if you choose an all-wheel drive, you have to make do with 255 liters. By orientation: The short seat Arona offers 400 liters.

Infotainment: far from the best

Infotainment left a more immediate impression than the Yaris Cross system, which we had in the editorial office two years ago. However, this is also due to the fact that consumer electronics out there make development very easy. More than basic needs were not met. In contrast, the system in LBX has arrived in this decade. It doesn’t have a high score anywhere, but it has reached a level where you won’t immediately turn away in fear. On the other hand, there is nothing to shine: the volume control lags behind what has been available from a few manufacturers for years. Apple CarPlay can be connected wirelessly, Android Auto cannot. Lexus wants to play in the same league as brands like BMW and Mercedes. When it comes to infotainment, this claim is not understood.

On the other hand, the suspension setup, which remains on the comfortable side, gets good marks. Bloods don’t respond well, but overall filter performance is impressive. At the same time, the body leans only slightly during cornering. The steering doesn’t offer too much feedback, which is consistent with the overall comfort-oriented layout. The comfortable seats also match.

A combination of power division

The LBX is supplied with two drives. There is always a hybrid drive on the front axle, a three-cylinder that contributes 67 kW and an electric motor 69 kW. In the network there is a maximum of 100 kW. The performance of this system is not increased by the all-wheel drive, which places an additional 5 kW electric motor on the rear axle. The advantages of the car have been known for many years. On the one hand, it does not have things like starter motors, clutches or turbochargers – what is missing does not cause any problems.

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The goal is to run the combustion engine at its best efficiency as often as possible. Toyota connects it through an e-CVT and can vary the load on the petrol engine thanks to the continuously variable transmission. Anyone who doesn’t drive digitally, that is, who keeps constant high acceleration levels in both directions, will experience very low performance. Even in the cold, we sometimes passed by four liters in the Yaris Cross – in everyday life, remember, without crawling. Similar values ​​can also be expected here, and Toyota thus undercuts almost all its competitors with combustion engines with this model. In WLTP, Lexus says 4.4 to 4.7.

Trying out the sound

Continuously variable transmissions take some getting used to at first because speed and motion don’t always seem to match. Above all, the LBX not only has to face competition from combustion engines, but increasingly also from electric vehicles. With their spontaneous, whisper-quiet, and powerful acceleration, they give hybrids a place in everyday driving. The engine in the LBX is better insulated than in the Yaris Cross, but sounds plain compared to the Opel Mokka Electric. Basically, the LBX remains the runner-up when it comes to acceleration in a duel against the Mokka, and clearly so. Objectively, it is not inferior to 9.2 seconds in a normal sprint and 170 km / h. He has to work hard for it, and that can be heard.

It’s not a business

With a base price of 32,990 euros, the LBX is quite expensive, because even with low demand the price increases rapidly. The price list itself is quite clear. There are currently five equipment lines, one special model, two powertrains and three packages. If you want a Lexus to differ significantly from a Toyota on the inside, you can quickly reach more than 35,000 euros with all-wheel drive, it can easily go for more than 40,000 euros. A lot of money for a small car in comparison. But Lexus has always left the poor car field to others, and the idea of ​​wearing a tough car has its appeal. This is combined with an economical combustion engine. Soon when the price exceeds 40,000 euros, the innovative car immediately becomes a nuisance. Because then there are various options with electric motors. So the group of buyers that Lexus attracts is small and unlikely to grow.

(mfz)