A few thoughts on the LBX

[Ala Larj]

Took my 2014 GS in for some warranty work today and had an LBX as a loan car. Have been thinking of downsizing so was looking forward to seeing if it suited my needs. So, after spending a day with it here are some of my personal thoughts and not an in depth review. 

First impressions were quite positive. Initially it felt good quality with good materials on the bits that are often touched. Except for the steering wheel which appeared to be covered in some kind of tacky leather substitute.  However, after a bit of poking some of the plastics lower down felt very un-Lexus like.  As were the A pillars. I was also surprised to hear a couple of rattles and buzzes on a so called luxury compact car with less than 700 miles on the clock. 

However, the driving experience was also surprising but in a quite pleasant way. It was quite nippy, handled well around the country lanes near me and, dare I say it, quite fun.  The only real disappointment was how noisy it was. Both road and engine. 

I won’t mention the relative lack of interior space as it was as expected and probably very similar to its competitors. Unfortunately, what really let it down for me was the infotainment system and dashboard. It was a premium plus spec so had the upgraded main screen and digital dash.  The touchscreen seems fiddly on the move and quite distracting. The dashboard was also overly complicated with too much information regardless of which of the three modes I tried. Again, very distracting. Little things really irritated such as the bong which goes every time you pass a new speed limit zone. I could switch this off but it automatically came on the next time I started the car and I had to distractedly have to switch it off again once on the move.  And once it was off I had a light on the dashboard telling me it was off! Why?  Also why do I need script on the dash telling me what radio station I’m listening to? 
The most annoying things though were the steering wheel controls which are so sensitive it’s almost impossible to use them and so distracting as to be dangerous. 

I’m not a Luddite but I fear that technology is being used just because it can, not because it is useful. I did like the hud though.  I do much prefer the simplicity of my GS dash and ice system. Driving can be a dangerous thing and we need less distractions not more.

In isolation it wasn’t a bad car and these are my personal subjective views but it looks like I’m stuck with my GS for a few years yet!

[dutchie01]

The sound warning when driving over the speedlimit is new regulation. all new cars do have this now, just wait until they introduce the next step in limiting your speed so even if you want you cant go faster.

The LBX dash and infotainment seems relatively simple compared to some of the German competitors with humongous screens and a thousand options. They design this to impress customers in the showroom. First time a potential customer sits in the car they have to be wowed and immediately the car is sold especially with the younger generation. That you never use 95% of possibilities does not seem to matter.

I like the LBX, it looks good and is the right size for what it needs to be. If you want a small car and like some more upmarket feel what is the competition?

  

[Ala Larj]

The bong wasn’t just happening when going over the speed limit it was happening every time there was a change speed limit sign!

 I agree with you about the overly complicated dashboards which seem to be the rage these day. Maybe I’m just getting old. I found it difficult to actually see what the time was. Much prefer the simple elegance of an analogue clock. 

[GSLV6]

Personally, after looking at the LBX and the UX, I was unimpressed mainly on vfm.  Way too expensive for what you get and I didn't think either had the premium feel of the RX.  A test drive in the UX was quite impressive though.  The car handled very well and had surprising punch and very good handling.  I had, briefly, considered one as a replacement to our RX3 but the total lack of space in the boot (it's almost useless for anything bar one suitcase) and the OTR price ruled it out for us.  I ended up going back to a newer RX with no regrets.  The reason touch screens are used, in spite of the marketing claims aiming to widen appeal, is that touch screens are far cheaper to manufacture and integrate with vehicle systems over well laid out buttons. I'd far rather have the choice as I found the touchscreens in both the UX and the RZ I tried very distracting.  I have no issues with the trackpad. It takes some getting used to but when you do, much like the older mouse system, it's easy to use without having to use a touchscreen.  I suspect, this will be our last Lexus, as I'm not a fan of the styling or the build and attention to detail of the newer ones compared with the older models.