Lexus LBX - Design, interior & technology
Significantly more upmarket than its Yaris Cross sibling, with some impressive and easy to use technology
Before you dismiss the Lexus LBX as a Toyota Yaris Cross in a posh frock, it’s worth noting that it shares no body panels with its more affordable sibling. It’s difficult to stand out in the crowded small SUV market, but the LBX looks more upmarket than its more mainstream rivals, especially if you choose an optional pearlescent paint option, such as Ruby or Sonic Cooper.
You’ll forget the Yaris Cross connection once you step inside, where the LBX feels like a smaller version of a larger Lexus SUV, complete with leather (synthetic or real) on all but the Urban model, an instrument panel that wraps smoothly into the door panels, plush materials and dense foam padding.
The Urban trim is designed to be an entry point into the LBX range and Lexus brand, and its specification reflects this. The seats are fabric rather than leather, it misses out on some driver assistance systems, there’s no auto-dimming rear-view mirror or wireless smartphone charger, and it also goes without the illuminated entry system.
There are three mid-range Premium trim levels (Premium, Premium Plus, and Premium Plus Design), but the range-topping Takumi and Takumi Design models feel particularly opulent, adding the likes of LED ambient lighting with 50 different colours, LED headlights with adaptive high beam, and intelligent park assist.
Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment
All versions of the LBX come with a 9.8-inch touchscreen that features navigation, voice control and a four-year subscription to connected services. Over-the-air updates are also offered, while wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto allow you to use your own apps instead. Premium Plus models and above also come with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and head-up display, although the touch-sensitive steering wheel controls used to operate the latter are a little tricky to use. Sometimes the functions unintentionally appear in the head-up display if you skim the controls with your hands, but then you need to use an affirmative double press for them to work.
One useful feature of the central screen is the ability to access often-used functions quickly. The LBX memorises which ones are opened most frequently, and a press of an on-screen button accesses them. This is particularly handy for deactivating the car's road sign recognition software – this beeps every time a road sign is detected and also alerts you when you've momentarily crept over the last detected speed limit.
The six-speaker audio system fitted to most LBX models is good, but audiophiles will appreciate the superb 13-speaker Mark Levinson surround sound system found in the Takumi and Takumi Design models.
