Test report on LBX

[PCM]

It looks a nice car, but... I was surprised how basic the base model is.

Would still like one though!

[Don C]

On 2/24/2024 at 8:49 AM, Tel said:

Got a call yesterday & Delivery has been moved to May.

Understand WE get a free First Service with the Car.

Tel

They’re having to circumnavigate Africa thanks to the Red Sea trouble.   

[Tel]

Re-Lexus Link + Ap.

Is the Progress Info controlled by Lexus or via the Dealer these days? Anyone really know ?

Pre-Covid it was Lexus.

May Delivery needs a March Build.

Tel

[Tel]

My LBX is now June Delivery @ best. AWD is said to be the Issue.

Tel

[Tel]

My LBX has an April Build Slot & a June Delivery.

Demand must be excellent as you still cannot Build your Car , Fit Factory Options & you Pay a refundable £500. .

Tel

[JimmyfromLargs]

Yesterday we took a 120 mile test drive in an LBX ( Premium Design) ….some commentary………

1. Handling was actually much better than I thought, went into and out of corners very well. They have done something to the suspension which makes it very appealing.

2. Overall fit and finish inside looked very good quality.A well put together vehicle.It felt like a vehicle that would be good enough and comfortable enough for a longish journey, quite a nice place to be. 

3. The interchange between the combustion engine and the Battery was flawless.We were stuck in a traffic tailback and all of this was covered in Battery.

4.The vehicle looks very good although  I’m not a Lexus aficionado it feels like  they have had their A design team on this project.

5. One critical comment would be on more demanding Scottish A class hilly roads it does feel a little underpowered or putting it another way if you want to access more power you need to rev the engine quite high +4.5k revs. I presume this is a feature of eCVT.

Anyway not sure if this detail helps anyone.

I’m trying a Lexus since I have had loads of German cars and apart from Porsche I think their quality is going south.

This is a daily driver type vehicle.

Was going to get a Takumi Design but the suede looks doomed to be attacked by the sticky fingers of my grandchildren. 

I have ordered a Premium Design Plus ….(wife likes the two tone look), delivery early May.

Insurance will be via NFU as per my previous thread.

 

[Tel]

Interesting because AWD gives improved grip & a much improved rear suspension.

Cannot wait to see if anyone on the Forum gets theirs before me.

Tel

[Icebun]

3 hours ago, JimmyfromLargs said:

Yesterday we took a 120 mile test drive in an LBX ( Premium Design) ….some commentary………

1. Handling was actually much better than I thought, went into and out of corners very well. They have done something to the suspension which makes it very appealing.

2. Overall fit and finish inside looked very good quality.A well put together vehicle.It felt like a vehicle that would be good enough and comfortable enough for a longish journey, quite a nice place to be. 

3. The interchange between the combustion engine and the battery was flawless.We were stuck in a traffic tailback and all of this was covered in battery.

4.The vehicle looks very good although  I’m not a Lexus aficionado it feels like  they have had their A design team on this project.

5. One critical comment would be on more demanding Scottish A class hilly roads it does feel a little underpowered or putting it another way if you want to access more power you need to rev the engine quite high +4.5k revs. I presume this is a feature of eCVT.

Anyway not sure if this detail helps anyone.

I’m trying a Lexus since I have had loads of German cars and apart from Porsche I think their quality is going south.

This is a daily driver type vehicle.

Was going to get a Takumi Design but the suede looks doomed to be attacked by the sticky fingers of my grandchildren. 

I have ordered a Premium Design Plus ….(wife likes the two tone look), delivery early May.

Insurance will be via NFU as per my previous thread.

 

Could you possibly comment of the level of road noise, especially at motorway speeds please?

I am interested if the level of refinement marries up with all the work around the amount of soundproofing that I often read about on the LBX.

[Expatma]

1 hour ago, Icebun said:

Could you possibly comment of the level of road noise, especially at motorway speeds please?

I am interested if the level of refinement marries up with all the work around the amount of soundproofing that I often read about on the LBX.

Yes, I am interested in road /wind noise (refinement) as well.

[JimmyfromLargs]

Trying to capture the questions.

 

1. AWD……cannot see the reason why one would need it. The grip and road handling was very good it was a very wet day and the handling was very good as a FWD model…the AWD is SLOWER….a red line for me. 

2. Road noise….well what I can tell you it is road surface dependant. A good road surface meant low road noise…a poorer quality surface higher road noise. It’s not a Bentley I found the refinement very good for a small car. I did not hear any appreciable wind noise but it was a dreadful day of rain….and there was no missing hearing that ! 

 

3. Car sits well on the motorway, stable and secure but it’s not a BMW/Porsche which are specifically designed for Autobhan unrestricted lane driving. But at our legal speeds very adequate. 

 

4. Engine power shows up as an issue on say a Scottish A class road with severe incline etc the engine needs worked to perform and thats when the revs increase as mentioned earlier. This for me is  a feature not a bug. If the model sells well  I would not be surprised if Lexus get a higher power model in the line up…if I like this one enough I will have one of them !

 

Disclosure is my first Lexus…..so apologies for any errors ……comments welcome….J 

 

[Expatma]

14 minutes ago, JimmyfromLargs said:

Trying to capture the questions.

 

1. AWD……cannot see the reason why one would need it. The grip and road handling was very good it was a very wet day and the handling was very good as a FWD model…the AWD is SLOWER….a red line for me. 

2. Road noise….well what I can tell you it is road surface dependant. A good road surface meant low road noise…a poorer quality surface higher road noise. It’s not a Bentley I found the refinement very good for a small car. I did not hear any appreciable wind noise but it was a dreadful day of rain….and there was no missing hearing that ! 

 

3. Car sits well on the motorway, stable and secure but it’s not a BMW/Porsche which are specifically designed for Autobhan unrestricted lane driving. But at our legal speeds very adequate. 

 

4. Engine power shows up as an issue on say a Scottish A class road with severe incline etc the engine needs worked to perform and thats when the revs increase as mentioned earlier. This for me is  a feature not a bug. If the model sells well  I would not be surprised if Lexus get a higher power model in the line up…if I like this one enough I will have one of them !

 

Disclosure is my first Lexus…..so apologies for any errors ……comments welcome….J 

 

Interesting, I am test driving Premium Plus on Tuesday so will give my views afterwards.

[cur666]

1 hour ago, JimmyfromLargs said:

Trying to capture the questions.

 

1. AWD……cannot see the reason why one would need it. The grip and road handling was very good it was a very wet day and the handling was very good as a FWD model…the AWD is SLOWER….a red line for me. 

2. Road noise….well what I can tell you it is road surface dependant. A good road surface meant low road noise…a poorer quality surface higher road noise. It’s not a Bentley I found the refinement very good for a small car. I did not hear any appreciable wind noise but it was a dreadful day of rain….and there was no missing hearing that ! 

 

3. Car sits well on the motorway, stable and secure but it’s not a BMW/Porsche which are specifically designed for Autobhan unrestricted lane driving. But at our legal speeds very adequate. 

 

4. Engine power shows up as an issue on say a Scottish A class road with severe incline etc the engine needs worked to perform and thats when the revs increase as mentioned earlier. This for me is  a feature not a bug. If the model sells well  I would not be surprised if Lexus get a higher power model in the line up…if I like this one enough I will have one of them !

 

Disclosure is my first Lexus…..so apologies for any errors ……comments welcome….J 

 

Ha......the AWDi is 0.4s slower to 62 mph....also obviously it has better traction, and the vastly improved wishbone rear suspension, (unlike the simple torsion bar the FWD model has), so the ride is also far superior.

(The three-cylinder, 1.5-litre, develops 120Nm of torque, and a 0-62mph acceleration time of 9.2 seconds, although front-wheel drive (FWD) versions are expected to be the key sellers for fleet. It is impressively frugal; we saw high 50s mpg on the test route. Go for the AWD LBX, and it's slightly slower to 60mph, at 9.6 seconds.)

The LBX looks to be a real beauty , (albeit even if it is based upon the Toyota Yaris), but I suppose that, the ridiculously high price price , reflects this.

[ColinBarber]

13 hours ago, Icebun said:

Could you possibly comment of the level of road noise, especially at motorway speeds please?

I am interested if the level of refinement marries up with all the work around the amount of soundproofing that I often read about on the LBX.

Takumi grades have better sound isolation so make sure you try the model you intend to purchase to avoid disappointment. 

[Tel]

J,

My Yaris Cross AWD is refined, Don of Chesterfield Cross with improved insulation & quieter tyres, was even better.

My LBX refinement will be much improved on the Chesterfield Cross.

My Cross is swift & economical.

An additional 0.4 AWD will still mean my LBX will fly.

Tel 

[JimmyfromLargs]

Cur666,

Thanks for your comments on AWD I will note them and if I REALLY like the LBX and choose to upgrade I will try and AWD model.

Colin,

I had a discussion with a technical specialists and she told me that the Takumi has 5 levels of sound insulation 2 levels more than other models. So I think you are right. I was caught with a cosmetic dilemma my wife ( who will own the car ) wanted the 2 tone look, hence a premium plus design …..I felt going to a Takumi Design which was fine started to introduce a suede interior which would have been catastrophic for Grandchildren duties. Sigh….such are the challenges of life !

 

[ColinBarber]

54 minutes ago, JimmyfromLargs said:

Sigh….such are the challenges of life !

Happy wife and you saved some money - rare to get those two outcomes together 👍 

[walakalulu]

Will be moving on from my Toyota Auris this year and being of the elderly club, fancy something higher off the ground where I don’t feel as if I’m pot holing when I get in it. So it’s either the Yaris cross Premium or the LBX so watching the thread with interest.

[Expatma]

18 minutes ago, walakalulu said:

Will be moving on from my Toyota Auris this year and being of the elderly club, fancy something higher off the ground where I don’t feel as if I’m pot holing when I get in it. So it’s either the Yaris cross Premium or the LBX so watching the thread with interest.

Only worry I have is remembering my father's advice to never buy a car in it's first year of manufacture. He was in the motor trade and felt that it needed a years production to iron out problems and idiosynchranies reported by early adopters. Don't know whether that applies in 2024!

[GMB]

4 minutes ago, Expatma said:

remembering my father's advice to never buy a car in it's first year of manufacture

Very wise man, your father.  Still true and even more so with all the complicated rubbish gadgets and gimmicks on today's cars.

[Tel]

The LBX Factory, in the East of Japan , is a long-standing Yaris Cross Factory too so, for once, I have no concerns whatsoever about first year glitches.

The LBX production will be over 6months old when they build mine & ,pre-pandemic, The Toyota Production System was geared to a maximum of 6 months to erase product flaws.

Our Aygo X was perfect & was a very early model.

Hence Zero concerns.

Tel

[JimmyfromLargs]

Tel,

 

I liked your comment on the Factory & Quality. After mostly German cars this is my great hope. 

 

[Tickedon]

11 hours ago, JimmyfromLargs said:

Cur666,

Thanks for your comments on AWD I will note them and if I REALLY like the LBX and choose to upgrade I will try and AWD model.

Colin,

I had a discussion with a technical specialists and she told me that the Takumi has 5 levels of sound insulation 2 levels more than other models. So I think you are right. I was caught with a cosmetic dilemma my wife ( who will own the car ) wanted the 2 tone look, hence a premium plus design …..I felt going to a Takumi Design which was fine started to introduce a suede interior which would have been catastrophic for Grandchildren duties. Sigh….such are the challenges of life !

 

Remember that there are different special order seat options on the price list… perhaps possible to have the grade you want with seating trim you are happy with! 
 

[Don C]

On 3/13/2024 at 7:00 AM, Tel said:

My LBX has an April Build Slot & a June Delivery.

Demand must be excellent as you still cannot Build your Car , Fit Factory Options & you Pay a refundable £500. .

Tel

Car carrier Porgy is coming long way around Africa with a belly full of LBXs, my mates AWD included.  Should make Portbury early April.  

[Tel]

Mine is scheduled to be built April 20th. 2024 & will be in Derbyshire 2 months later.

Ruby Red must be in short supply !

Tel

[Expatma]

Well, I test drove a Premium Plus LBX on Tuesday. Initial impressions were that it looks better in the metal than any photographs and is beautifully finished and assembled from top quality materials. Interior is lovely and everything - switches etc. - have a solid, quality feel and cabin is just a nice place to be.

It drives nicely, firm but compliant suspension and performance was perfectly adequate if not scintillating, handled well and generally integration of engine and electric motor was seamless, at above crawling speed I couldn’t tell when the engine had cut in. On hard acceleration there was some engine noise but certainly no more than from a normal petrol car and as soon as I eased off the hard acceleration the noise all but disappeared. A very nice car.......BUT to be completely honest it really was nothing extra special, you sit quite low in the car, barely higher than a standard hatchback, there is not a lot of room around you in the front and less in the back and I am only 5’ 7” and my wife shorter. The road refinement was disappointing to me, more road roar and wind noise than I expected, not terribly excessive but significantly more than in a VW T-Roc for example. 

I enjoyed driving the LBX and it does give you that hint of luxury which I don’t think any equivalent competitor can approach - the T-Roc seems low rent compared to it - it just wasn’t as special as I hoped. Did the test drive put me off? No, but I have arranged a much longer test drive to really see how it feels over longer distances and in urban and rural driving.