Overview
LEXUS has launched its small hybrid cross-over, the LBX, in Australia with a beginning value of $47,550 (plus on-road prices).
The Yaris Cross-based five-door mild SUV is the smallest mannequin within the Lexus vary and the posh life-style model’s first B-segment SUV.
Following established Lexus mannequin title conference, the LBX is out there in Luxurious or Sports activities Luxurious, the previous 2WD solely whereas the latter is out there in 2WD or costlier AWD kind.
The LBX is underpinned by the GA-B platform and measures 4190mm lengthy, 1825mm extensive and 1560mm excessive.
All LBX grades make use of the identical hybrid-electric powertrain teaming a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine with an electrical motor generator and nickel-metal hydride battery.
All fashions share a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, rated at 67kW at 5500rpm and 120Nm of torque between 3800-4800rpm, mated to a repeatedly variable transmission, and is joined by a electrical motor producing 69kW/185Nm.
The hybrid battery has a nickel-metal hydride battery composition and s situated beneath the rear seat. The Sports activities Luxurious in AWD kind provides an electrical motor on the rear axle, which is a trailing arm impartial design instead of the 2WD fashions’ torsion beam.
Peak mixed output for the three-cylinder hybrid powertrain (in all fashions) is rated at 100kW, with mixed gasoline consumption of three.8 litres per 100km on the mixed cycle and common CO2 emissions of 85 grams per kilometre.
Security options are intensive, beginning with eight airbags, Lexus Security System (pre-collision system with autonomous emergency braking, pedestrian (day/night time), bike owner (day/night time) and motorcyclist (day) detection, intersection collision avoidance help, emergency steering help, entrance cross-traffic alert, acceleration suppression at low speeds, full-speed dynamic radar cruise management, curve pace discount, previous car cut-in/departure show, lane hint help with lane-departure alert, adaptive high-beam system (AHS), and road-sign help.
Additionally included in each LBX is a blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, driver monitor digital camera, entrance and rear parking help brake with parking sensors, panoramic view monitor, reversing digital camera with pointers and rear digital camera washer, e-latch system with protected exit help, car stability management and tyre strain warning.
Customary options for the Luxurious grade embody 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights with adaptive high-beam system, rear spoiler and privateness glass, and a two-tone physique end together with a black roof.
Inside, the LBX Luxurious has black NuLux upholstery for the seats, steering wheel, door and instrument panel trim, entrance and rear carpet ground mats, heated entrance seats, dual-zone local weather management with distant perform, Qi wi-fi cellphone charging pad, auto-dimming rearview mirror, ambient inside lighting, sensible entry and begin and a powered tailgate.
Multimedia connectivity is through a 9.8-inch color touchscreen show with satellite tv for pc navigation, with sound emitted through a six-speaker Panasonic audio system suitable with wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There are three entrance and two rear USB-C ports in addition to entrance and rear 12V accent sockets present additional connectivity and charging choices.
The Sports activities Luxurious grade, which prices $52,990 as a 2WD, or $56,990 with AWD (each costs plus ORCs), is marked by its black 18-inch alloy wheel design and ornamentation movie on the rear pillars.
The Sports activities Luxurious inside provides mixture of NuLux and Ultrasuede seat trim, suede material trim for the door, instrument panel, and console field, and a premium leather-based shift knob and premium leather-based heated steering wheel.
Different enhancements over Luxurious for Sports activities Luxurious embody a color Head-Up Show (HUD), with touch-sensitive steering wheel controls, multi-colour ambient inside lighting and a 13-speaker Mark Levinson Premium Audio system with metallic speaker grilles and Lively Noise Management noise-cancelling know-how.
Lexus Teammate Superior Park can also be customary.
The LBX is customary with a black roof mixed with the choice of one in all eight completely different physique exterior colors together with Sonic Quartz, Sonic Chrome, Sonic Copper, Frozen Mercury, Moonstone Shadow, Wealthy Ruby, Citrine Flare and Midnight Sapphire.
Driving Impressions
The littlest Lexus seems to be bigger within the metallic, largely as a result of it’s wider than you would possibly count on. Its squat, easy design is somewhat nameless however nonetheless interesting sharing Lexus design cues such because the spindle grille.
Once you bounce in, you realise that this automobile is geared toward singles and {couples} because the rear seat legroom and boot area aren’t notably giant.
Whereas higher soft-touch surfaces are tactile, you don’t get one thing for nothing at this value level. The decrease sprint and different plastic exhausting plastic trim will not be an enormous deal, however you’ll be able to solely want that there was a manner of constructing it rather less apparent.
The sprint info is for probably the most half logically offered. Seats are a bit flat within the entrance however supply a heap of adjustment and vary for nearly anybody to get snug. Rear seats are additionally not notably contoured and lack knee room if the entrance seats are set again, however head room is suitable.
Boot area is small, however the loading lip isn’t a problem. As is more and more frequent now, there isn’t any spare wheel, simply an inflation/restore equipment beneath the boot ground.
Noise suppression was good total on the comparatively brief launch drive, apart from freeway driving, the place mirrored highway noise and wind noise made their presence recognized. It wasn’t extreme, simply extra apparent given how quiet the LBX was in any other case.
Dealing with and trip appeared fairly balanced; steering was direct sufficient, trip agency however not harsh and the chassis appeared to settle properly into turns.
Efficiency for the hybrid powertrain was responsive, if not providing a substantial amount of pace with it. In order for you fast acceleration, you’ll have to look elsewhere. Gasoline consumption was a 4.7L/100km common on the journey pc over 120km in largely an city surroundings.
At first look, the Lexus LBX seems to be to be a sensible, well-executed entry luxurious mannequin that does most issues properly, offered that area and efficiency aren’t your priorities.