Lexus LBX debuts as the most affordable Lexus you can buy in the PH

Lexus Philippines has officially launched its smallest crossover ever. Dubbed the Lexus LBX, it is a subcompact luxury crossover that’s designed to appeal to style-conscious buyers who are looking to get behind the wheels of a practical and efficient hybrid.

2024 Lexus LBX

Of note, the LBX’s official launch comes a week or two after it was previewed for the local market. So what is the 2024 Lexus LBX offering?

Exterior

Despite its smaller size, the LBX is unmistakably a Lexus. Up front, it gets a compact and slightly modified version of the Lexus signature spindle grille. It is then flanked by two sharp-looking single-projector bi-beam LED headlamps that are equipped with automatic functionality.

LBX from the side

From the side, it showcases short overhangs and a wealth of aerodynamic features. For the vehicle’s 4,190mm length, it gets a long bonnet for a sportier profile, while its side section comprises smooth surfaces combined with black plastic claddings.

The rear meanwhile, gets a shapely lower bumper which is topped off with a relatively expansive trunk door. The rear likewise features an eye-catching LED combination taillight with a bar spanning the vehicle’s 1,825mm width.

Completing the look of the Lexus LBX are a set of 18-inch wheels. It also has a wheelbase length of 2,580mm and a ground clearance of 220mm.

LBX from the rear

For colors, the all-new LBX comes in eight bi-tone options. These include Sonic Quartz, Silver Metallic, Astro Gray Metallic, Red Spinel, Sonic Copper, Sonic Chrome, Passionate Yellow, and Deep Azure Mica Metallic. The latter are combined with a black-colored roof, body claddings, pillars, and electronic-folding side mirrors.

Interior

Inside, the LBX gets a welcoming cabin that was built under the Omotenashi philosophy of design. This means several features that enable the car to automatically meet the demands of its user.

The LBX’s seats for example have a memory function that remembers one’s driving position. The front seats in particular come with 10-way power adjustment and ample bolstering for spirited driving.

The cockpit of the Lexus LBX

Other driver-centric features include a leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel, an expansive center console with a padded center armrest, and a lower storage box equipped with a USB Type-C port and a 12-volt accessory outlet.

The rear cabin of the LBX on the other hand, gets 60:40 split-folding functionality. At default (rear seats up), this all-new Lexus has 317 liters of cargo space.

Tech & Safety

Positioned sensibly on the dash so as to not interfere with the driver’s line of sight is a 12.3-inch touchscreen. This comes with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, USB, and Bluetooth connectivity. Keeping one’s smartphone topped up is also made easy thanks to a wireless charging pad.

The LBX gets a 12.3-inch touchscreen

For the driver meanwhile, the LBX gets a fully digital instrument cluster. This features multiple layouts that change according to the selected drive modes, but it also allows for customizability.

Handling safety on the LBX is a standard kit that you’d expect from modern crossovers. But besides those, it also gets the Lexus Safety System+ active driver assist suite.

This crossover features the Lexus Safety System+

The said suite includes a pre-collision system, dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure alert, lane trace assist, lane change assist, a blind-spot monitor, reverse camera, and rear-cross traffic alert, among other high-tech safety features.

Engine

Propelling the 2024 Lexus LBX is a 1.5-liter inline-3 gasoline engine that works in tandem with a self-charging hybrid electric powertrain. As a whole, this system is managed by the Lexus Hybrid Control system.

At the most, the LBX can churn out 136 horsepower and 185 Nm of torque. Thanks to this, the LBX can do zero to 100 km/h in 9.2 seconds. It also has a projected top speed of 170 km/h.

The LBX uses the TNGA-B platform

According to the brand, the Hybrid Control system allows the battery to contribute more power at start-up. This results in smoother, more pleasing drives. At the same time, the system detects downhill travel to automatically activate deceleration control for a more consistent speed reduction even when one’s foot is off the brake pedal.

Of note, the Lexus LBX uses the Toyota New Global Architecture (GA-B) platform. It shares this with the Japanese-spec Toyota Yaris. The hybrid powertrain mentioned above also works similarly to the one available on the Toyota Yaris Cross.

Price

At launch, the 2024 Lexus LBX Hybrid Electric is priced at Php 2,968,000. This makes the LBX one of the most affordable models in the Lexus PH lineup.

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