Lexus LBX: 136 hp crossover can do it

It is not new that the global premium brand Lexus is not well received in Europe – especially in the German market. Just over 30,000 Lexus vehicles are lost in German traffic. The new LBX probably won’t change much; around 1,500 sales in Germany are expected next year. There should be 25,000 for all of Europe. Not exactly luxurious for a model that was made specifically for Europe.

Lexus according to TNGA

In fact, LBX is not a completely new development. He uses the TNGA corporate platform, and specifically the Toyota Yaris Cross subcompact. All this is already known. Similarly, the internal power split hybrid serves as the drive, with a system output of 136 hp and is available as an all-wheel drive with an additional electric rear-wheel drive module for an additional charge.

What is not known: how it runs now. Inconspicuous can be better, and maybe that’s the intention. This is clearly meant to be positive. The LBX is quiet, maneuvers unsurprisingly and operates as intelligently and efficiently as one is used to from hybrids from the Toyota Group.

It happily moves forward in city traffic, it seems to itself and remains silent. He only occasionally uses an electric car and only occasionally starts a three-cylinder gasoline engine. By the way, this contributes 91 hp to the system output (100 kW/136 hp). The long-stroke three-cylinder sounds most clearly when things need to move faster. Then it unleashes an unmistakable three-cylinder roar. If you pedal hard, the LBX accelerates to 100 km/h (Vmax 170 km/h) in 9.2 seconds according to factory specifications.

And a virtual corridor

Also known from other models of the group are the virtual gear ratios of the hybrid drive, which can be changed using a paddle. The whole thing is called Shiftmatic and acts as if it had mechanical gears. The aim is to simulate the shifting sensation of a sequential mechanical transmission. Don’t do that

Above 100 km/h the ride becomes more difficult, whether with or without Shiftmatic assistance. The small Lexus seems more ready for city traffic than for long trips. Otherwise you may feel completely fine. The environment is friendly, the quality of materials and workmanship seems to be higher than that of many B-segment rivals, and the suspension comfort is equal.

Of course, all this applies with one caveat: for residents over 1.85 meters, which is not an unusual height in Central Europe, it will be a little difficult in the two front seats. The VW T-Cross, for example, looks more mature. The service is also not very pleasant. Although the LBX did without the layout of its cousins ​​bZ4X and Prius with high-mounted instruments and a small, low-mounted steering wheel, to handle the on-board computer, assistance systems, head-up display or cruise control. using the buttons in the spokes of the steering wheel is service and complexity. In addition, the navigation system is only incompletely connected, it looks like a module that was installed later and is not completely connected to the car.

By the way, the small Lexus should cost from 32,990 euros. The top version with electric rear axle will be available from 46,190 euros. A lot of money for a small car.