Lexus LBX - Boot space, comfort & practicality

The connection with the Toyota Yaris will give you an idea of how small the LBX is. At 4,190mm it's 10mm longer than a Yaris Cross, but a width of 1,825mm is a handy 60mm broader than Toyota's smallest SUV, and the LBX has a wheelbase that's 20mm longer, too. That means there's a bit more space in the cabin, but it's still on the snug side.

Up front there's plenty of room, and the LBX feels just as plush as the company's bigger models thanks to generous use of premium materials. The light-coloured synthetic leather of the car we drove felt upmarket (black trim is available at no extra cost), but the artificial trim for the steering wheel was less impressive. While it had the look of leather, there’s a slightly oily feel to its texture. There's centre console storage, but it's narrow, while the door bins are on the small side, too.

Where the LBX struggles the most is for rear passenger space. Much like the previously mentioned Avenger and EX30, the back seats are only really good for short trips, with the middle seat being no more than a token addition. Boot space isn't dreadful, but a capacity of 402 litres isn't much bigger than a conventional hatchback, while the seats-down capacity of just 994 litres isn’t particularly helpful for IKEA trips. There is a false floor with extra storage beneath, though, while a powered tailgate is fitted to Premium Plus models and above.

It’s worth noting that the luggage capacity drops to 317 litres in the four-wheel drive model. There’s also a two-litre penalty if the LBX is fitted with an optional subwoofer in the boot.