The new Lexus LBX will be revealed on June 5 in Milan, Italy – and we’ve got our first glimpse of the new compact luxury crossover.
Slotting beneath the current UX, which shares the bulk of its DNA with the Toyota Corolla and C-HR, the LBX appears to be a production version of the sub-UX crossover previewed in Lexus’s fleet of concepts from December 2021.
According to a recent report, the LBX will be based on the Toyota GA-B platform, which underpins everything from the Yaris and Yaris Cross to the Aqua (Prius C), Aygo X and Sienta offered overseas.
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LBX teaser -
2021 preview
The tightly cropped front quarter teaser looks very consistent with the shadowy preview from 2021, and the vehicle appears to be finished in a Rose Gold paint with a frontal design not too dissimilar to the Toyota Crown family and new Prius that’s not coming to Australia.
Meanwhile, the darkened rear shot shows off a full-width LED tail light signature, which wouldn’t look out of place on a Renault – namely the Arkana. Going by the 2021 announcement, however, while the LBX should have a sporty profile, it will be more jacked-up hatchback than SUV coupe.
Should the LBX be based on the Toyota GA-B platform, it will likely be available with similar powertrains to the Yaris and Yaris Cross – i.e. three-cylinder petrol and hybrid options.
In the Yaris and Yaris Cross, the 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol-electric hybrid offers a system power output of 85kW, and fuel use as low as 3.3 litres per 100km.
Lexus Australia has not given any further details other than issuing the press release with the reveal date, though given it’s been distributed to local media it’d be logical to assume it will make the trip Down Under eventually.
The luxury arm’s local division has previously confirmed it will enter “three new segments” in Australia by mid-2024, and we’ve already seen the new LM people mover confirmed to land here soon, while the next generation of the Prado-based GX off-roader is also likely to make it to Australian showrooms in the next 12 months.
That makes the LBX the third ‘new segment’ offering to be likely for our market, and should form an interesting proposition against mainstream and premium-branded offerings. Currently, the UX opens up at $46,085 before on-road costs, suggesting the LBX could start around the $40,000 mark.
Key rivals would include the Audi A1 and Mini range, as well as high-spec versions of mainstream hatchbacks and crossovers.
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Lexus CT200h
While not a direct replacement, the LBX will serve as a spiritual successor to the old CT200h hatchback, which drew upon old Prius underpinnings in a Corolla-sized hatch package.
The CT was discontinued globally in 2022, and was sold in Australia right up until 2021.
Stay tuned to CarExpert for our coverage of the Lexus LBX’s reveal on June 5.
