The inside is very black in that safe way that so many cars are these days. It’s practical, it’s smart and it’s (arguably) premium. The fact that it’s uninspiring is a side note, and I’ve seen an alternative cream finish that looks swish. Nonetheless, this car does feel premium inside, with cosseting seats, a big touchscreen and nice turface finishes.
A few weeks in and I’m still getting the hang of reverse being a notch forward and drive being a notch back on the gearknob. It feels counterintuitive. I was wondering whether it was just me, but then a friend asked me to explain the exact same quirk on the BMW iX3. I had no answers but felt better at least.
As a Lexus model, the LBX uses the Toyota group’s e-CVT, of which I’ve never been much of a fan. I’m intrigued by its execution in the LBX, though, because so far it’s proving itself to be better than expected. There’s still a noticeable moan when the engine is worked hard, but let’s see how I adapt with more miles under my belt.
It has yet to be seen if the LBX will make a sales breakthrough for Lexus in the UK, so my goal for the coming months is to find out if it has the appeal to make that leap – and if it deserves that third letter in its title.
Second Opinion
The world needs more small cars, and I can see no reason why a small car can’t be upmarket, so I want to like the LBX. On first encounter, I liked the idea more than the execution, but there was enough character to make me think familiarity could convince me. I will be interested to see if that happens for Rachel
