Why the new Lexus LBX Sports Luxury AWD is an ideal city car

What is it? At 4190 mm bumper-to-bumper, the new LBX is the smallest Lexus ever. It’s a hatch/SUV mash-up built on the Toyota Yaris Cross platform but with more luxury, slightly more power and refinement, and a unique body. We sampled the range-topping Sports Luxury AWD variant.

What does it cost? The range starts at $47,550 for the front-drive Luxury, while the higher spec Sports Luxury is available in front-drive ($52,990) and all-wheel drive ($56,990). In all cases, you must add on-road costs.

What makes it go? All variants get a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine with a closed-loop (ie non-plug-in) hybrid system. The rear wheels of the all-wheel drive version are powered separately by an electric motor, but one that generates just 4.7 kW. Maximum combined power is quoted as 100 kW. Torque is 120 Nm from the petrol engine, while the electric motors put out 237 Nm (185 fore, 52 aft). However, they never produce their peak at the same time and Toyota doesn’t offer a combined maximum. The LBX is impressively frugal, with official consumption of just 3.8 L/100 km on regular 91 octane petrol.

Why would you want it? The rounded, muscular exterior is a new direction, moving away from the origami creases that define many Lexus models. This body is less polarising, if perhaps also less distinctive. The LBX feels a bit more modern than the UX or NX, the company’s other small SUVs, and the toned-down grille is welcome to these eyes.

Our Sports Luxury had a very appealing cockpit with “leather accented” Ultrasuede upholstery and steering wheel, a 13-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, head-up display and more. It feels solid despite its relatively light 1415 kg kerb weight, and corners well. The screen and telematics are now easy to use and, though the adaptive cruise is unnecessarily complicated, it is the first I’ve experienced on a Lexus that holds the set speed downhill. Added to all of the above are the usual Lexus ownership perks.

Why wouldn’t you? The triple-cylinder donk can be raucous when working hard, and the CVT transmission a bit shuddery. Performance is modest for the luxury segment (9.6 seconds to 100 km/h). The rear cabin is a little tight for space; while that can be expected in a city runabout, it’s also austere (no centre armrest, no air vents). The all-wheel drive version has a tiny boot, and drives like a regular front-drive machine. There’s also a similar-ish Toyota – the Yaris Cross – available for a lot less money.

And in conclusion Exciting it’s not, but there’s plenty to like here, particular in an urban setting. And, being a hybrid, it should produce its best economy in the city too.