2024 Lexus LBX Is The Brand’s Smallest, Most Affordable Luxury Car

In what seems to be a seemingly endless amount of SUV launches globally, Lexus also joins the fray with the new LBX small luxury SUV. Sitting below the already petite UX, the 2024 Lexus LBX will serve as the brand’s smallest and thus most affordable model to date. It was developed in Europe mainly for Europe, but it will also be sold in select markets globally.

Riding on the same TNGA-B platform as the European and Japanese Yaris and Yaris Cross, the 2024 Lexus LBX measures 4,190 mm in length, 1,825 mm in width, and 1,545 mm in height with a 2,580 mm wheelbase. That’s a couple of inches smaller than the UX, and surprisingly, the design is also a lot more tamed compared to most Lexus models.

This starts with its evolved Spindle Grille, which is now called a Spindle Body. In the LBX, this is just the lower air intake, with the actual main grille being the slim horizontal black trim piece connecting the two slim LED headlights. The resulting design is something that’s far more subdued than what we’re used to with Lexus, and this carries over to the rest of the body. Smooth creases as opposed to pronounced lines and shoulders characterize the LBX’s design, and this is complemented by a full-width LED taillight design with the “LEXUS” script written on the tailgate as opposed to having the famous L logo.

Likewise, the interior of the 2024 Lexus LBX is very simplistic, but not boring to look at. There’s a generous use of soft-touch plastics, suede, and even semi-aniline leather, but if you don’t want animals to be harmed, then you can opt for vegan-friendly leather, too. The LBX also comes with a portrait version of the Lexus Interface infotainment system, and new for the brand is a large 12.3-inch fully-digital instrument cluster. We expect this to be adopted by future Lexus models as well. Other interior features include a Mark Levinson surround sound system, and ambient lighting, just to name a few.

The 2024 Lexus LBX is offered with a 1.5-liter three-cylinder hybrid drivetrain that produces 134 horsepower and 185 Nm of torque. This comes in either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) through the use of rear-mounted electric motors. Opting for the AWD model also ditches the torsion beam rear suspension in favor of an independent double-wishbone setup.

Will the 2024 Lexus LBX appeal in the Philippines? For now, the LBX is limited to the European and “select global markets” which will most likely include Japan, too. Bringing the LBX will make owning a Lexus more accessible for Filipinos who want to step into the brand for the first time.