As someone who started with a mint green Fiat 500 as their first car, I’ve always desired the confidence of driving a bigger car, but living in a city with narrow roads and lacking a driveway makes it challenging. However, learning about Lexus‘ LBX model tailored for the UK and European markets seemed like the perfect solution. The LBX, the smallest Lexus to date, is a self-charging hybrid crossover designed for accessibility and practicality.
It seamlessly combines modern and high-quality features with a relaxed vibe, making it approachable despite being packed with the latest technology. As a young city dweller, I’ve never found a car that felt like it was made with someone like me in mind. Here are some design aspects of the LBX that caught my attention.
Lexus aimed to attract a new generation of drivers with the LBX, focusing on a visually appealing design for younger, city-savvy Europeans who value luxury craftsmanship but want a car that suits their casual lifestyle. The LBX is also suitable for those looking to downsize or add a more dynamic vehicle to their collection.
Chief engineer Kunihiko Endoh stated, „Our goal was to challenge the traditional luxury car concept and create a driving experience that fosters a natural connection between the driver and the vehicle, along with a refined design presence.“
The LBX offers various grades with different styling influences, colors, textures, and finishes to allow for personalization and self-expression. Whether you prefer a cool or relaxed look, the LBX’s interior can be customized with different materials to suit your taste.
When it comes to ‚big car energy,‘ the LBX’s exterior design embodies the powerful stance and muscular features typically seen in SUVs, despite having more compact dimensions. The short overhangs, flared front and rear wings, and taut surfacing convey a sense of confidence and road presence, making it suitable for city streets, country roads, and highways.
Overall, the LBX not only looks good but also performs well aerodynamically, allowing for a confident and enjoyable driving experience in various settings. Another notable feature of the LBX’s exterior design is the modern interpretation of the iconic spindle grille at the front, giving the car a fresh appearance. The spindle grille, a trademark element of every Lexus model for more than a decade, has been redesigned as a smaller, seamless unit that seamlessly integrates into the bodywork.
For those seeking a touch of surprise, the SUV-style „planted“ look of the LBX is partly inspired by the shape of traditional Japanese kagami-mochi rice cakes, showcasing how Lexus incorporates heritage aesthetics into its contemporary designs.
The tazuna concept:
One concern with modern cars is the abundance of technology in the cabin. However, the digital integrations in the LBX interiors are subtle and help keep focus on the road. The LBX features a head-up display (HUD) that projects essential driving information onto the windshield, enhancing the driver’s visibility. The interior is designed to keep the driver engaged, with a cockpit based on Lexus’s tazuna concept, which emphasizes minimal hand and eye movements for operation.
The cabin environment is spacious, bright, and uncluttered, with an instrument panel seamlessly transitioning into the door panels, a surprising feature for a smaller model.
The sounds of silence:
The LBX is equipped with Lexus‘ new powertrain, a self-charging 1.5-liter hybrid system that provides agility for urban driving. A new bi-polar nickel-metal hydride hybrid battery is integrated for improved responsiveness in a smaller, lighter package, alongside efforts to reduce road noise and vibration.
The quiet cabin significantly enhances the driving experience, complementing the vehicle’s beautiful and seamless design. The LBX has indeed challenged conventions and elevated the standards for what a small car can offer through its innovative design.
The Takumi spirit, a commitment to excellence and meticulous attention to detail, guides the design and development of all Lexus vehicles.