Something to look forward to this 2024 is the newest addition to the Lexus lineup: the Lexus LBX. This is the only other model, apart from the prominent Lexus “LFA”, to use a three-letter name. A closer look at the LBX indicates that imparting that prestige was intentional. LBX stands for “Lexus Breakthrough Crossover”.
As one of only two Filipino attendees to get a first glimpse of the LBX during its Dynamic Press Launch in Valencia, Spain, I got to understand what aspects make the LBX a breakthrough.
The LBX marks a significant shift in Lexus’ approach to car design and customer experience. The LBX is currently the smallest compact crossover in Ethe luxury segment, and is especially tailored for the younger, style-conscious European market.
The LBX also enjoys the prestige of being the first-of-its-kind in several areas. The LBX is the first Lexus model manufactured at the Iwate plant in Eastern Japan, which Toyota Motor Corporation invested in to help the region regenerate from devastation caused by the
Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami of 2011. It is also the first model to breakaway from traditional Lexus design conventions by introducing a “premium casual” theme. The exterior debuts a new Lexus identity with its “Resolute Look” front design, reinterpreting the Lexus spindle grille. Despite its compact dimensions, it projects a muscular and powerful appearance.
Also a first is the introduction of different “Atmospheres”, a feature not available in other Lexus models. Instead of the traditional linear grade structure options which focus on the level of equipment or comfort features, LBX customers can choose from four Atmospheres—Elegant, Relax, Emotion, and Cool. The Atmospheres give customers a new level of customizing their LBX with different refined, dynamic, or sporty themes through styling details, colors, textures, and finishes. The Elegant Atmosphere, for instance, features Vegan Tahara with satin stitching interiors and 18-inch High Gloss alloys. All Atmospheres are equipped with the “Comfort Pack” as standard (with features such as Front Wheel Drive, Lexus Safety System+, parking sensors). Customers can further enhance the features of their LBX by adding the Tech Pack, Premium Pack, or Advanced Pack—each of which builds on top of the previous pack.
Through the LBX, Lexus takes a new approach to building a model range that offers customers choices to match their personal style and character.
The LBX is the first Lexus to be built on the GA-B compact car global platform, the achievement of Lexus’s ambition to deliver the Lexus Driving Signature of “control, comfort, and convenience” in a small car package. While the LBX will not have an F-Sport variant, it maximizes a 1.5-liter self-charging hybrid electric powertrain to allow a dynamic drive.
Inspired by the Tazuna concept, the interiors offer a driver-centric cockpit with intuitive control layouts. Assistant Chief Engineer Jun Takahashi explains, “we want the driver to have a natural dialogue with the car.”
Responsive steering, braking, and stable handling in all conditions generate a natural dialogue and constant sense of connection between driver and car. Takahashi-san says that you can expect the LBX to react the way you want it to. “Making the car act the way you want it to, is part of the fun to driving experience,” adds Takahashi-san.
Before we parted ways in Valencia, I kidded Takahashi-san about how “breakthrough” seems like a bold word to use for a car’s name. What makes the LBX a “breakthrough”? I asked. He said that the LBX gives customers the opportunity to have something that’s truly their own— they can express themselves in the outward appearance of the car, while also being their authentic selves inside the car.
The level of customization and self-expression that LBX offers is, for sure, unmatched in other Lexus models and perhaps in most other cars of its level in the market.
For someone coming from the Philippines, where the preference is generally for full-size SUVs, I wondered why the LBX was designed to be the smallest compact SUV in the market. Then I realized that the LBX also seeks to be the “breakthrough” that will strengthen Lexus’ presence in the European market. The LBX provides a compact and nimble drive through small European streets or winding country roads, while being stable and powerful in highways. The LBX model is expected to become a core element in Lexus’ European range, targeting 24,000 sales in 2024. In that sense, the LBX represents a bold step for Lexus. While Lexus already has a commanding presence in Asian markets like the Philippines, it now seeks to capture a new market in a new frontier. But with innovative features and a unique level of customization, while maintaining Lexus’ Omotenashi hospitality, the LBX may end up breaking through old and new customers alike.
