Lexus LBX Hybrid 2024 review: With Audi Q2 ending production, is this the best new premium city SUV?

The 2024 Lexus LBX is breaking new ground for the Japanese premium brand, with the first-generation light SUV its initial foray into a segment that's in the process of being vacated by the Audi Q2. Point being, it's basically peerless in Australia - until the Mini Aceman electric car eventually arrives.
So, why is Lexus Australia getting into a market that effectively doesn't exist? Well, with the discontinuation of the CT200h small hatchback, it sees an opportunity to bring more first-time buyers to the marque with a more petite alternative to its UX small SUV. As such, the resulting LBX is based on the Toyota Yaris Cross, which has already found similar success.
In this expert review, CarsGuide Senior Journalist Tom White attends the LBX's local media launch to find out what all the fuss is about, including putting to test its 'self-charging' hybrid powertrain, which is set to be one of its defining features.
#Lexus #LBX #Review
--
Timecodes:
00:00 Intro
00:19 Pricing and features
01:23 Design
01:59 Practicality
04:10 Under the bonnet
04:42 Efficiency
05:15 Driving
08:44 Safety
09:12 Ownership
09:54 Verdict
--
Read Tom's full review: bit.ly/4agDniY
Check out our Lexus LBX hub: bit.ly/3TSQ2CR
Find more SUVs: bit.ly/3QVs1X1
Visit our EV Guide: bit.ly/3UHO9GT
--
CarsGuide - Go beyond the test drive
Visit our website for News, Reviews, Advice and more: www.carsguide.com.au
Subscribe to our TH-cam channel: / carsguide
Like our Facebook page: / carsguide.australia
Follow our Instagram profile: / carsguideaus
Follow our TikTok profile: / carsguide.com.au
Follow our X profile: www.x.com/CarsGuide
Follow our LinkedIn page: / carsguide-com-au

[@theusefulchannel]

A concise and informative review.

[@localguy123]

Great city car and super reliable.

[@georgedory2919]

I believe the Toyota boss' LBX is modified with the turbo engine from the GR Yaris. There are rumours that it will be available in the future for one and all. There is a video of him with the car somewhere on TH-cam.

[@ivan-lau]

Ordered the Sport Luxury 2WD in sonic chrome

[@druittman]

Did the exact same. Sonic quartz

[@s.s.s.jproductions9809]

Interesting

[@skymonkey98]

A replacement of discontinued ct200h but shorter and smaller boot space (awd). The lack of space saving spare is a turn off or it should be driven in city only.

[@SOMEONE-ME]

I don't see a space problem at all if you are a couple. It all depends what you need. There was basically nothing before LBX in this category. Everything with a bit of luxury is bigger and more expensive.

[@adi2082]

It's kind of a shame the Yaris Cross has such a bland interior and poor NVH, I feel like they really could make it much better. But then it makes the LBX less viable compared to that.
Are there air-conditioning vents under the front seats that can ventilate to the rear? For some reason a lot of car reviewers fail to mention that and consequently a lot of people don't know how to use their AC properly to vent the back seat.

[@SOMEONE-ME]

Yes, there are rear vents which one mentions :)

[@eugene9852]

I don't know how they're even allowed to sell cars with no spare wheel. The repair kits are a joke. They just don't work. You end up being stranded, needing to be towed, just because of a flat tire 😕

[@caa8785]

Not sure if I am listening to a podcast or watching a youtube video.... Talking about the dashboard, yet the view is you talking.....