The boss said, ‘give me the best car in the world’.
It was 1983 when Toyota president, Eiji Toyoda, challenged a crack team of 4000 highly talented staff to do his command.
That’s how Lexus, a brand worth $US10.2 billion today, was born, with a luxury sedan, the LS400, generally accepted as a segment superstar, shading the best that Europe could make, including the best from Benz. It was a big day when the car came Down Under in the early ‘90s. I was there.
Since then, Lexus has pretty much kept its foot on the pedal of its Kaizen (continuous improvement) philosophy across all its brands. Now it is bringing this to the small SUV segment with the Lexus LBX.
“The first LBX breaks new ground,” says Lexus Australia Chief Executive John Pappas. “It is proof that luxury is not dictated by vehicle size and is in keeping with our electrified strategy, offering the latest in hybrid technology with an advanced fuel-efficient powertrain.”
Available in Luxury 2WD, or Sports Luxury 2WD or AWD variants, prices start at $47,550, plus on-road costs, and top out at $56,990 for the flagship, aimed at appealing to youthful buyers with active lifestyles. The entry-level Luxury 2WD was on test.
All come with a five-year unlimited kilometre warranty, and Lexus being what it is, a three-year complimentary subscription to the manufacturer’s Lexus Encore lifestyle program boasting benefits such as exclusive offers from luxury hotel partners, invitations to premium events and fuel discounts at participating Ampol service stations.
STYLING
Urban, or should that be ‘urbane’; as the first Lexus in the compact B segment, designers were determined the LXB should make its mark for future generations of city-slick SUVs.
Based on the rigid GA-B platform, the all-new compact creates a striking visual impact, the trademark Lexus spindle dominating the front, vertically compressed to sit low in the vehicle body to accentuate sportiness.
The bonnet crease seamlessly moulds into the slim high-set LED headlights, which include a high/low beam light and bi-functional daytime running light and turn signal with an inverted version of the L-shaped signature lighting.
With minimal overhangs and robust wheel arches, dark side sills and wheel arch moldings complement the expressive SUV design.
In shaping the rear, designers were inspired by Kagami-mochi traditional Japanese rice cakes (really?) and positioned similarly to two mochi pieces, split by the rear lighting signature and giving the vehicle a sense of stability and low centre of gravity.
Once again, Lexus SUV family features anchor the rear with combination lamps joined by an LED light bar spanning the width of the tailgate, before framing the tail lamp cluster with a distinctive L shape.
Dynamic 18-inch alloy wheels are standard across the range, with Luxury grade fitted with dark grey metallic wheels with a bright machined finish highlighting the twin Y-spoke design.
INTERIOR
The search for a serene, yet tech-weighted, cabin results in the Tazuna cockpit principle inspired by simple communication between a horse and rider through reins, a user-friendly layout keeping all key vehicle functions within easy reach, while minimising line-of-sight movement. (Are you paying attention, Chinese carmakers?)
As for occupant comfort, Lexus says the split-folding rear seat and optimization of rear cargo space provide customers with active urban lifestyles the carrying flexibility they need for work, family and fun requirements. Not quite, the rear legroom is cramped, even with average-size front row occupants, and not too welcoming of an extended journey.
INFOTAINMENT
The dashboard is dominated by an integrated 9.8-inch multimedia display, set behind an anti-reflective glass coating (how thoughtful), with a single external knob for power on/off and volume control.
Powered by the latest Lexus multimedia system, the 9.8-inch display apes a smartphone layout and offers voice recognition and wireless compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Luxury grade is paired with a six-speaker audio system.
Native navigation is cloud-based, storing map data, downloading it to the sat nav as needed using the data communication module built into the vehicle. This also facilitates over-the-air software updates for the head unit and instrument cluster.
Up to three users can save personal settings for multimedia, vehicle settings and active safety parameters through a Bluetooth device or smart key. Customers can also pre-set audio and navigation settings, seat position, interior illumination, and parameters for the Pre-Collision System warning timing, blind spot monitor sensitivity and other settings.
ENGINES/TRANSMISSIONS
All LBX grades share the same petrol/electric powertrain, teaming a 1.5-litre ICE with an electric motor generator and nickel-metal hydride battery for fuel economy with refined performance.
Peak power for the petrol motor is 67kW at 5500rpm and 120Nm of torque from 3800 to 4800 revs. It is mated with a continuously variable transmission.
The petrol engine is paired with a hybrid transaxle on the front axle including a permanent magnet synchronous motor producing 69kW/185Nm, powered by a compact nickel-metal hydride battery stored underneath the rear seat.
Peak combined output for the three-cylinder hybrid powertrain is rated at 100kW, with low combined fuel consumption of 3.8 litres per 100km on the combined urban/highway cycle and average carbon dioxide emissions of 85 grams per kilometre.
SAFETY
The all-new LBX offers excellent protection for occupants and other road users with a full suite of Lexus Safety System+ active safety features across a wide range of driving scenarios.
Active safety uses a combined millimetre wave radar and monocular camera sensor, operating high-tech to provide peace of mind for road users. For example, the Pre-Collision System with Pre-collision Braking, which detects leading vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists in the daytime, as well as oncoming vehicles and motorcycles in the daytime.
Dynamic Radar Cruise Control offers a broad range of associated features, allowing four levels of preset distances to vehicles in front and three levels of acceleration strength.
The DRCC system can also offer stop-start and low-speed following, with smooth acceleration or deceleration as required. Road Sign Assist uses the monocular camera to detect road sign speeds and display them on the multi-information. In a first for Lexus, owners can set a speed limiter linked with Road Sign Assist (Speed Signs Only) to limit the vehicle’s speed in accordance with the associated speed limit.
The LBX comes equipped with eight airbags for excellent passive occupant protection.
DRIVING
Lexus ‘lab coats’ (possibly with help from AI) did not miss meeting desirable on-road credentials for LBX. Engineers improved the hybrid system’s responsiveness and acceleration thanks to the strong output of the motor and hybrid battery. Acceleration and deceleration characteristics are sensitive to up and downhill inclines and can adjust the drive force accordingly.
During acceleration, the hybrid system contribution is upped, which in turn decreases the workload of the petrol engine. With engine revs reduced by roughly 20 per cent compared to previous Lexus hybrids, there’s a cut in fuel consumption.
The LBX stretches the Lexus Driving Signature by intelligently checking the driver’s inputs and intentions when driving in Normal mode. For example, if driven in a sporty manner, additional deceleration may be provided when the accelerator pedal is stepped off, thereby reducing braking distance and enhancing the driving experience.
The new hybrid powertrain ensures the LBX provides spritely and refined performance while offering excellent fuel economy and low carbon dioxide emissions. After an average working week, the test LBX had managed to average 4.5 litres per 100 kilometres of fuel use.
SUMMARY
The Chinese could take a leaf out of the Lexus LBX book in connecting with the driver – fewer intrusive warnings, alarms and physical interventions. By all means offer them up, then leave the driver to react, hopefully, accordingly. The Lexus LBX ticks all these boxes without ‘strangling’ the wallet.
RATINGS
Looks – 8
Performance – 7
Safety – 8
Thirst – 6
Practicality – 7
Comfort – 7
Tech – 8
Value – 8
