New 2024 Lexus LBX: Prices, specs and release date

Richard Aucock, Contributor
Mon, 05 Jun 2023

• New Lexus LBX sees the firm enter an all-new sector
• The smallest Lexus ever is derived from the popular Toyota Yaris Cross
• 1.5-litre hybrid engine with more powerful new battery promising instant, EV-style response
• On sale in October 2023, with deliveries from March 2024, and prices starting from £29,995

The new Lexus LBX is a premium small SUV that will become the firm’s smallest-ever new car when it arrives in the UK in March 2024. An all-new offering from the luxury Japanese brand, the new Lexus LBX is a significant model that’s been design in Europe, specifically for European car buyers.

The new Lexus LBX is derived from the Toyota Yaris Cross, sharing the popular car’s Toyota GA-B global architecture and full hybrid powertrain. It will be a premium alternative to a Ford Puma, Volkswagen T-Cross, MINI Countryman and Honda HR-V, along with other models such as the Nissan Juke, Peugeot 2008 and Renault Captur.

The Lexus LBX is likely to challenge the slightly larger, premium-brand Audi Q2. 

Described as a breakthrough car for the brand, the new Lexus LBX is set to become one of the firm’s best-selling cars in Europe, and is a very significant addition to the line-up.

2024 Lexus LBX prices and release date

The new Lexus LBX is now open for pre-sales. Full pricing will be confirmed in October 2023, which is when ordering will open. First UK deliveries of the new Lexus LBX will begin from March 2024.

New Lexus LBX prices start from £29,995, for the entry-level Urban grade. This positions it above the Toyota Yaris Cross, which is priced from £25,000, and below the Lexus UX, which costs from £35,000. A MINI Countryman also costs from just under £30,000.

Prices for the other models - Elegant, Relax, Emotion, Cool and LBX - will be confirmed in October 2023. 

2024 Lexus LBX styling, interior and technology

The new Lexus LBX is a compact SUV with styling designed to be muscular and powerful. It’s less formal than larger Lexus, appearing more relaxed and characterful as a result.

The new Lexus LBX’ most distinctive design change is the ‘Resolute Look’ front end. This sees the firm’s spindle grille, used for the past decade, “deconstructed” to create a new front end face. The grille now comprises a single trapezoid shape, sitting below a narrow aperture below the leading edge of the bonnet. This links slim LED headlights.

The new Lexus LBX has short overhangs, large 17-inch or 18-inch wheels, flared wheelarches and a distinct tightening of the area around the rear doors to give it a squat, more dynamic appearance.

At the rear, the licence plate has been repositioned in the rear bumper, which makes the ‘Lexus’ lettering on the tailgate more prominent. The Lexus signature L-shaped light bar stretches the full width (and Lexus adds the direction of the L-shape running lights at the front has been changed to face out).

Lexus promises a range of vivid paint colours and deep-lustre sonic finishes. Certain models will be available with bi-tone paintwork, combining any body colour option with a contrast black roof.

The new Lexus LBX measures 4190mm long, 1825mm wide and 1545mm high. It has a 2580mm wheelbase.

Inside, the new Lexus LBX has a decluttered and high-quality cabin. Key controls are focused around the instrument display – the start/stop button is mounted high up, for example – which helps keep the rest of the interior tidy.

The new Lexus LBX offers a vivid 12.3-inch full digital instrument panel in a Lexus for the first time. This is fully customisable and can be matched with a head-up display on certain versions.

The new Lexus LBX also has a 9.8-inch Lexus Link Connect touchscreen infotainment system. It has cloud-based sat nav, over-the-air updates and the ‘Hey Lexus’ on-board assistant. This responds to voice commands from both driver and passenger. Both wired and wireless Apple CarPlay is included, plus wired Android Auto smartphone integration.

The new Lexus LBX offers an optional digital key. This is compatible with both Android and Apple smartphones. Owners don’t have to take out their phone to unlock and start the car, and they can share a digital key with others who may need to use the vehicle, too.

The new Lexus LBX will offer a variety of upmarket upholsteries and trims, including a premium semi-aniline leather and a vegan-friendly interior with synthetic leather and materials for the seats, steering wheel, shift lever and door trims. Ambient lighting provides a range of 50 colour options.

A further welcome premium touch is the availability of an optional Mark Levinson premium sound system. This uses 13 speakers including a subwoofer integrated into the tailgate – which avoids any loss of boot space.

The new Lexus LBX offers boot space of up to 332 litres in front-wheel drive guise (it will, however, shrink significantly in E-Four guise). The shape has been optimised so two 75-litre suitcases can be carried beneath the folding tonneau cover. As for passengers, the rear seats will have ample knee room – and they are mounted slightly higher than those in the front to aid visibility.

2024 Lexus LBX engines, performance and fuel economy

The new Lexus LBX is offered with a 1.5-litre full hybrid powertrain. The three-cylinder engine is a modified version of the motor in the Toyota Yaris Cross. Lexus has added a balancer shaft so it is smoother and more refined in operation.

The new Lexus LBX produces 134ps, which should deliver 0-62mph acceleration in around 9.2 seconds. Official fuel economy and CO2 figures have not been released, but the engineers suggest CO2 emissions will be well under 120g/km. This indicates fuel economy of around 55mpg.

The hybrid system of the new Lexus LBX has an all-new bi-polar nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery. This is lighter, more compact, delivers a higher output and quicker response. Lexus says it helps serve up instant, powerful acceleration similar to that of an EV, as well as improved fuel economy.

Improvements to the hybrid system of the new Lexus LBX means all-electric driving is delivered at higher speed and over longer distances, aiding both efficiency and refinement.  

The new Lexus LBX will come as standard with front-wheel drive, paired with a CVT automatic transmission. There will be an optional E-Four all-wheel drive version too, with an additional electric motor on the rear axle. Drive force is automatically directed to the rear wheels when low-grip surfaces are detected.

All new Lexus LBX have MacPherson strut front suspension. Front-wheel drive models have a torsion beam rear, while the LBX E-Four all-wheel drive has a double wishbone setup. Meanwhile, the braking system includes Vehicle Braking Posture Control which balances front and rear brake force distribution to reduce pitch and reduce roll when cornering.

The new Lexus LBX is the smallest Lexus ever, measuring under 4.2 metres long. It sits below the existing Lexus UX.

Ask HJ

How many types of hybrid cars are there and what do they mean?

I would like to buy a new or nearly new car (not older than 2019) but do not want a fully electric car as I do not have the facility to charge it at home. I don't understand what the different types of hybrid cars mean in practice? I thought I could have an electric car that can work on electric most of the time and I would not get stuck on the side of the road, without charge, because I also have a small petrol reserve. Are such cars more expensive because they have to have a combustion engine as well as the electric one? I currently have a petrol 2010 Yaris, bought in 2014, and would like a similar sized car with a slightly higher driving position that makes it easy to get in and out of. I don't want keyless entry and start as that makes it too easy for criminals to steal, as many of my neighbours with new/ish cars can testify. Which car models should I consider? What sort of price should I expect to pay? Which cars are the least desirable to criminals?

In short, a hybrid car is one that has a petrol (or sometimes diesel) engine as well as an electric motor and a battery pack. The car can use the engine alone, the electric motor alone and a combination of both to provide power to the wheels. These kinds of hybrids require no charging, as they charge themselves by generating electrical energy from the engine or recuperating energy when braking and feeding it back to the battery. A plug-in hybrid has a similar make up to a hybrid, but gives you the additional facility to charge the battery by plugging it in at home or at a public charge point. Plug-in hybrids therefore can be driven on electrical energy more of the time. Given you have no facility to charge at home it would make sense for you to choose a conventional hybrid, and as you currently own a Yaris, the 2011-on generation Yaris is available as a hybrid so might make a good choice for you. If you want to avoid keyless entry then we would suggest going for the Icon or Y20 versions of the Yaris Hybrid as these came without this function, but it would be worth checking the specification of any car you are looking at. These versions of the Yaris start at around £7,000 on the used market. If you need something with a higher driving position you could look at the Kia Niro, which is also available as a hybrid, but this is a newer and slightly larger vehicle. It may also be difficult to find a version of this without keyless entry. All cars are at some risk of theft or damage from criminals, but a used Toyota Yaris is not a high-value vehicle so it would not be particularly desirable. Some Toyota vehicles are known to be at risk of catalytic converter theft, but parking your car in a garage or in a position which makes it difficult to access will mitigate this risk. We have a guide to hybrids, how they work and what the different types are which you can read here: https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/phevs-and-hybrid-cars-explained/

Answered by David Ross

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