Say hello to…
…the Lexus LBX is a supermini-sized SUV that’s powered by a 1.5-litre petrol hybrid powertrain. The LBX offers true premium brand qualities in sector rival brands are avoiding. The LBX comes as either a front-drive or all-wheel drive car.
Fleets can choose from a extensive six trim levels of LBX:
- Urban
- Premium
- Premium Plus
- Premium Plus Design
- Takumi
- Takumi Design
As standard, Urban specification includes 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights with automatic high beam, LED daytime running lights, LED rear lights with sequential indicators, auto-folding heated door mirrors with integrated turn indicators, leather steering wheel trim, heated front seats, driver’s seat lumbar adjustment, 9.8-inch touchscreen with four-year connected services and cloud-based navigation, 6-speaker audio system with DAB, wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, five USB sockets, Bluetooth, over-the-air updates, 7-inch digital instrument display, dual-zone climate control, push-button start, front and rear parking sensors, reversing camera and radar cruise control.
Premium adds synthetic leather upholstery, synthetic leather steering wheel trim, wireless smartphone charger, camera washer, blind spot monitor and rear privacy glass.
Premium Plus adds 18-inch alloy wheels, 12.3-inch digital instrument display, head-up display, powered tailgate and upgraded trim inserts.
Premium Plus Design adds bi-tone exterior paintwork, perforated synthetic leather upholstery with red stitching and 18-inch machined alloy wheels.
Takumi adds front fog and cornering lights, Mark Levinson 13-speaker surround sound system, leather/Ultrasuede upholstery, heated steering wheel, acoustic glass, power driver’s seat adjustment with memory function, sequential shift with paddle controls, active noise control, intelligent park assist and panoramic view monitor.
Takumi Design adds bi-tone exterior paintwork, different 18-inch alloy wheels and specific design features for a more distinctive exterior look.
Is The Lexus LBX Suitable For My Fleet
Putting the fact the LBX is a petrol car and not a PHEV or EV, so sits in the 26% company car tax band, it offers a huge boot for this class at 402 litres, although the all-wheel drive version sees this reduce to 317 litres. Fleet’s are, obviously, better off with the front-drive version tested here.
Leasing A Lexus LBX
Gateway2lease is offering the LBX in Takumi trim for £386 a month on a 9+36 contract with 10,000 miles a year. Maintenance costs are forecast at £36 a month, according to Gensen Reports and Class 1A NIC comes in at £78 a month.
Driving A Lexus LBX
While the Lexus LBX is only 4.2m long, the combination of the high seating position, the very premium interior and the overall refinement means it feels like you’re driving a car from a class above.
The huge boot also reinforces this impression.
It’s only the rear-seat legroom that reminds you the LBX is shorter (just) than a Ford Puma or Nissan Juke. The rear legroom issue is mainly a problem because taller drivers will need to slide their seat back so that there’s minimal room behind.
Up front, the cabin is impressive, especially if you opt for the lighter coloured interior, which makes the space seem light and airy.
The infotainment screen is clear and easy to use and it’s very simple to switch off the warnings for lane keeping and speed limits. The only warning that can’t be turned off is the driver attention alert which is often wrong.
On the higher specification LBXs, the head-up display is also impressive and something you’d not expect to find on a car in this class.
Driving the LBX is simple. All versions are automatics and the small dimensions mean the car is easy to manoeuvre at city speeds.
The LBX is also, almost always, incredibly refined. It will keep in electric mode for far longer than you’d expect and when the engine does kick-in it’s smooth enough and noise is well shielded from the occupants. However, we did notice a couple of occasions when the car was cold and without battery power that it did become a little harsh.
On the motorway, the LBX has enough power to also give the impression of a car from a larger class.
Ride comfort is good. The LBX has excellent seats and the suspension is a good compromise between soft and sporty.
While the Lexus isn’t really the kind of car that’ll see you seeking out the twistiest road home, it does offer some involvement in the corners.
The Lexus LBX may be in a class of its own, it’s also an attractive package worthy of fleet attention.
FleetandLeasing.com Verdict On The Lexus LBX
An appealing premium small car that’s practical and easy to live with.
Lexus LBX
- Model: LBX Takumi FWD
- Power: 134hp
- Torque: 120Nm
- Max speed: 106mph
- 0-62mph: 9.2s
- Official consumption: 61.4mpg
- Test consumption: 53.5mpg
- CO2 emissions: 102g/km
- BIK tax band 2025/26: 26%
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