The 2024 Lexus LBX has been revealed as the brand’s new entry point – at least, in Europe, where it’s due to go on sale later in 2023. Based on Toyota’s ‘TNGA-B’ platform that also underpins cars like the Yaris and Yaris Cross, the LBX is yet to be confirmed for Australia. It uses a 1.5-litre hybrid drivetrain with optional all-wheel drive, while it’s also packed with tech like a new 9.8-inch touchscreen.
LBX Chief Engineer, Kunihiko Endo, said Lexus set out to build a luxury and compact vehicle that delivered high on emotionality and surpassed expectations for anything in its class.
“Our aim was to create a vehicle that enabled the discerning customer to enjoy a relaxing drive that would give the everlasting desire to stay behind the wheel the moment they sat in the driver’s seat,” he said.
Inside the 2024 Lexus LBX is a new style of dashboard for the brand. Gone is the tablet-style of screen that the brand offers in most of its current lineup, instead, a nicely streamlined centre console with an integrated 9.8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite navigation and live services. Ahead of the driver sits a 12.3-inch heads-up display, which is the largest in any current Lexus – including cars like the LX large SUV and LC grand tourer.
There are 14 pre-set interior illumination themes with up to 50 additional colours for owners to personalise their Lexus more. According to the brand, a big focus was made on sound deadening compared with the Yaris Cross, with multi-layer absorption panels are used behind the dashboard and in the roof panel together with strategic use of high-dampening adhesives to reduce body vibrations.
Measuring 4,190mm, 1,825mm wide, 1,560mm tall and with a 2,580mm long wheelbase, the 2024 Lexus LBX is 10mm longer, 60mm wider, 30mm less tall and has a 20mm longer wheelbase than the Yaris Cross that it’s based on. It’s also 305mm shorter in length than the larger Lexus UX. The boot measures 332-litres in two-wheel drive form, which is 58L smaller than the Yaris Cross.
As you’d expect for a modern Lexus, a plethora of active safety equipment will be available on the LBX. This includes Proactive Driving Assist, Pre-Crash Safety, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert and Lane Tracing Assist.
Under the bonnet of the 2024 Lexus LBX is a 1.5-litre three-cylinder hybrid drivetrain that can be optionally paired with an electric motor on the rear axle for all-wheel drive. In European spec, it makes 100kW of power and fuel economy figures are yet to be released, but we expect under 4.0L/100km.
As with the Yaris Cross, front-wheel drive LBX models use a torsion beam rear suspension set up – upgrading to all-wheel drive adds a multi-link rear setup instead.
The 2024 Lexus LBX is due to go on sale in Europe later this year, while an Australian debut is yet to be confirmed. Stay tuned to DiscoverAuto for the latest automotive news and reviews.
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