The good, the bad, the ugly

[miop400]

After owning 3 Lexi and 2 LBX test drives:

The good: Best looking Lexus since LC. Relatively minvan like interior with back seats down. Tech intergration and luxury feel in front is better than an NX. Actually adequate space in back for adults

The Bad: Clarkson was right. Great pick up to 40kms with the electric motor then becomes raspy and asthmatic. Ultrasuede seats will wear badly. AWD model difficult to access. Cheap plastics like glove box and at rear, no rear vents, manual steering wheel adjustment and manual passenger seat. Morizo addition not due until 2025.

The Ugly: Dealers rude. Bag out awd version as slow! Unwilling to negotiate.  Very limited availability. Rumour of similar makeover for more powerful UX incoming in 2025.

[Phil xxkr]

10 minutes ago, miop400 said:

After owning 3 Lexi and 2 LBX test drives:

The good: Best looking Lexus since LC. Relatively minvan like interior with back seats down. Tech intergration and luxury feel in front is better than an NX. Actually adequate space in back for adults

The Bad: Clarkson was right. Great pick up to 40kms with the electric motor then becomes raspy and asthmatic. Ultrasuede seats will wear badly. AWD model difficult to access. Cheap plastics like glove box and at rear, no rear vents, manual steering wheel adjustment and manual passenger seat. Morizo addition not due until 2025.

The Ugly: Dealers rude. Bag out awd version as slow! Unwilling to negotiate.  Very limited availability. Rumour of similar makeover for more powerful UX incoming in 2025.

But apart from that Mrs Lincoln did you enjoy the play? 😎

[RobRob]

5 hours ago, miop400 said:

After owning 3 Lexi and 2 LBX test drives:

The good: … Actually adequate space in back for adults

The Bad: … Great pick up to 40kms with the electric motor then becomes raspy and asthmatic.

I didn’t choose the car for back seat space, but in occasional use it has worked better than I expected. It doesn’t look as if there is much gap between front and back seats, but I think the rear seat base must be fairly deep so there is actually more leg room than it appears.

Coming from a diesel car, I find the engine quiet at typical acceleration in traffic, on rural roads, and cruising up to 70mph. It’s only accelerating from a motorway junction that it suddenly sounds much louder and rough.

[Partridge]

Well, it's fine to not like a model, not sure what you mean by "AWD model difficult to access"? It is listed as marginally slower, (by a second 😱), and has a slightly poorer mpg.

Surprised by your dealer experience as mine is the exact opposite and has been consistent over 7 years and 3 cars. Any in-demand new model isn't going to be offered with a discount since dealers can sell every one they can get, most manufacturers "build to order" so unless you want something they "predicted" as a popular order model or a cancelled order then your always going to be waiting about 12 weeks.

[Shufman]

I presume it can’t be that bad otherwise you would have bought something else! 🙂

The AWD is a bit slower and maybe the engine makes more noise, I don’t know as I’ve not driven one. My Takumi isn’t slow and unless I boot it doesn’t really get above 3000 rpm at most speeds upto the legal limit. It’s not a sports car but I know what you mean. A common trait to hybrids. 
 

I do think for the money that the passenger seat should be electric and that the plastics in the back could be better (but they’re not too bad) and they’re as good as the Audi Q2 in the front. The glove box is a bit cheap but it’s ok. 
 

Dealer spot on, I got £500 off with the (then) £500 deposit contribution, which is hardly generous but it’s a new car. No different from new Toyotas. 

[Ken R]

Can't say the dealer I use has ever been rude - in fact exactly the opposite! The customer care from reception, sales and service staff has been exemplary over the six years and 3 cars that I have purchased from them.

[Shufman]

Oh, I meant to say that the Takumi has warm air vents in the back under the front seats. 

[Pollyd]

THERE IS NO PERFECT CAR. You weigh up the good with the not so good.
I would never listen to the opinion of a person who has treated staff like trash ie Clarkson, Gordon Ramsay, and it defies logic why others continue to respect what they have to say. Like all cars it needs to be looked at in the light of similar cars eg against other small hybrid vehicles. The problem with most car reviewers is that they go from a top of the line Mercedes to an affordable BYD or MG and they have the residual luxury, tech, and power in the back of their minds. They also come with internal biases. The constant droning on about cheap plastics is boring and irrelevant. I’ve had thirteen different cars in my time and the plastics have never been an issue. If you are worried about the suede seats maintaining their look then buy some seat covers. 
I have no problems with acceleration- I also drive my daughter’s Yaris Cross on which the LBX is based, and the LBX is relatively quiet in comparison when strained. The Yaris Cross complains bitterly when accelerating on steep hills but it gets there using less fuel than the LBX. Horses for courses. 
No rear air vents is unfortunate I agree and I took this into consideration when I weighed the pros and cons. Reassuringly I have had many journeys with adults in the rear seats in Australian heat and they have always said that they could get enough cooling from the AC vents in the front aimed at the back. The air doesn’t have to travel far being a small car!

My dealers were the best I have ever come across in my life, but given my past experiences sadly it’s not a high bar to overcome. 
The LBX is not without its faults. There are multiple issues I find frustrating in daily use that never came to light with my test drive or with the endless online reviews I watched before purchasing, but I hasten to add this is every car new car I have bought. Good luck with your decision 
 

[miop400]

6 hours ago, Pollyd said:

THERE IS NO PERFECT CAR. You weigh up the good with the not so good.
I would never listen to the opinion of a person who has treated staff like trash ie Clarkson, Gordon Ramsay, and it defies logic why others continue to respect what they have to say. Like all cars it needs to be looked at in the light of similar cars eg against other small hybrid vehicles. The problem with most car reviewers is that they go from a top of the line Mercedes to an affordable BYD or MG and they have the residual luxury, tech, and power in the back of their minds. They also come with internal biases. The constant droning on about cheap plastics is boring and irrelevant. I’ve had thirteen different cars in my time and the plastics have never been an issue. If you are worried about the suede seats maintaining their look then buy some seat covers. 
I have no problems with acceleration- I also drive my daughter’s Yaris Cross on which the LBX is based, and the LBX is relatively quiet in comparison when strained. The Yaris Cross complains bitterly when accelerating on steep hills but it gets there using less fuel than the LBX. Horses for courses. 
No rear air vents is unfortunate I agree and I took this into consideration when I weighed the pros and cons. Reassuringly I have had many journeys with adults in the rear seats in Australian heat and they have always said that they could get enough cooling from the AC vents in the front aimed at the back. The air doesn’t have to travel far being a small car!

My dealers were the best I have ever come across in my life, but given my past experiences sadly it’s not a high bar to overcome. 
The LBX is not without its faults. There are multiple issues I find frustrating in daily use that never came to light with my test drive or with the endless online reviews I watched before purchasing, but I hasten to add this is every car new car I have bought. Good luck with your decision 
 

Thanks for the reply. I would be interested in the comment ‘There are multiple issues I find frustrating in daily use that never came to light with my test drive’

In terms of the ‘Ultrasuede’, it has a poor reputation compared to Alcantara.

The LBX came out in Australia in March so it’s still to be tested against the heat of an Australian summer.

 

[Phil xxkr]

13 hours ago, Ken R said:

Can't say the dealer I use has ever been rude - in fact exactly the opposite! The customer care from reception, sales and service staff has been exemplary over the six years and 3 cars that I have purchased from them.

Ditto 

[Phil xxkr]

2 hours ago, miop400 said:

Thanks for the reply. I would be interested in the comment ‘There are multiple issues I find frustrating in daily use that never came to light with my test drive’

In terms of the ‘Ultrasuede’, it has a poor reputation compared to Alcantara.

The LBX came out in Australia in March so it’s still to be tested against the heat of an Australian summer.

 

I agree there's no perfect car as indeed there's no perfect reviewer. After all it's only a car not a successor to St Paul's Cathedral. As to the opinions of TV personalities they are just that an opinion, and optional. But if the advocacy is to deny the legitimacy of their views then the attack ultimately is on the millions of avid followers who enjoy their contributions. Are their opinions equally invalid? It's an interesting one! 

[JimmyfromLargs]

On 9/29/2024 at 8:26 AM, miop400 said:

After owning 3 Lexi and 2 LBX test drives:

The good: Best looking Lexus since LC. Relatively minvan like interior with back seats down. Tech intergration and luxury feel in front is better than an NX. Actually adequate space in back for adults

The Bad: Clarkson was right. Great pick up to 40kms with the electric motor then becomes raspy and asthmatic. Ultrasuede seats will wear badly. AWD model difficult to access. Cheap plastics like glove box and at rear, no rear vents, manual steering wheel adjustment and manual passenger seat. Morizo addition not due until 2025.

The Ugly: Dealers rude. Bag out awd version as slow! Unwilling to negotiate.  Very limited availability. Rumour of similar makeover for more powerful UX incoming in 2025.

Interesting….I’m 3000 miles into our LBX I like the car my wife does not, I’m the sedate driver she likes a bit more power. 

The only downside I can find is there is a lack of power, specifically in the “ use care “ where the Battery is depleted and you are going up a hill.

We live in a town ( Largs, West of Scotland ) there is a steep climb out of town, the Battery gets depleted and the small engine struggles ie 4000 RPM plus….

 

With a little more power the car this is going to be a very good car. 

 

PS I have yet to see the car in the wild ….

[Shufman]

Yeah I can get a bit desperate when it’s in the low Battery mode. Doesn’t happen that much to me but thankfully only lasts a minute or two. All the hybrids I have had have done it. This is the quickest to recharge though. 

[miop400]

13 hours ago, JimmyfromLargs said:

Interesting….I’m 3000 miles into our LBX I like the car my wife does not, I’m the sedate driver she likes a bit more power. 

The only downside I can find is there is a lack of power, specifically in the “ use care “ where the battery is depleted and you are going up a hill.

We live in a town ( Largs, West of Scotland ) there is a steep climb out of town, the battery gets depleted and the small engine struggles ie 4000 RPM plus….

 

With a little more power the car this is going to be a very good car. 

 

PS I have yet to see the car in the wild ….

Is that a warning that comes up on the screen ‘use care’ or salutary advice.

Owned a CT for 10 years and was never in a situation of full Battery depletion or reduced power.

[Shufman]

I don’t know what the ‘use care’ is referring to as I’ve never seen a warning to that effect. The Battery output lessens when it gets low as in all cars with batteries but it never allows the Battery to empty. It usually gets down to 3 bars and then I might just rely on the petrol engine for a minute or so while it puts some charge in the Battery. The CT would have done the same thing as based on a Prius but it might not have been as noticeable. All my hybrids have done it (Yaris x2, Corolla 2.0) 

[Aelod]

I never noticed it in 10 years of CT ownership (2014 model). Not seen it yet in my LBX. 

[JimmyfromLargs]

On 10/3/2024 at 4:31 PM, Shufman said:

I don’t know what the ‘use care’ is referring to as I’ve never seen a warning to that effect. The battery output lessens when it gets low as in all cars with batteries but it never allows the battery to empty. It usually gets down to 3 bars and then I might just rely on the petrol engine for a minute or so while it puts some charge in the battery. The CT would have done the same thing as based on a Prius but it might not have been as noticeable. All my hybrids have done it (Yaris x2, Corolla 2.0) 

Apologies…..I meant “USE CASE” it’s not an error code. It’s a scenario where the Battery is so depleted that the primary  source of power is the engine. In this scenario I find the engine performance is poor…..again its an edge case scenario it climbing a steep hill etc……

[miop400]

8 hours ago, JimmyfromLargs said:

Apologies…..I meant “USE CASE” it’s not an error code. It’s a scenario where the battery is so depleted that the primary  source of power is the engine. In this scenario I find the engine performance is poor…..again its an edge case scenario it climbing a steep hill etc……

An Australian youtuber ‘Carexpert’ explains what you have described. 
Would a Lithium Battery solve this problem?

[miop400]

Wow! The Lexus Japan website features a bespoke 3D configurator for. The LBX. It fixes the main problems of the car:

1. A more powerful engine choice

2. Multiple seat materials and colours. Love the sem-analine red.

3. Even offers different stitching colours ( move over ferrari).

4. Longer wheel base variant to fix the cramped rear seat and cargo area.

 

[lexuswannabe]

4 hours ago, miop400 said:

Wow! The Lexus Japan website features a bespoke 3D configurator for. The LBX. It fixes the main problems of the car:

1. A more powerful engine choice

2. Multiple seat materials and colours. Love the sem-analine red.

3. Even offers different stitching colours ( move over ferrari).

4. Longer wheel base variant to fix the cramped rear seat and cargo area.

 

Ohhh this sounds fantastic and possibly the answer to many peoples prayers. I may now no longer need to consider buying an Audi A3 hybrid.

I couldn't glean any info on this upgrade from Lexus Japan (probably me or my lack of Japanese). Are you able to add anymore info please Miop400.

[miop400]

Press the translation button on the left of the search bar.

[lexuswannabe]

3 hours ago, miop400 said:

Press the translation button on the left of the search bar.

Yeah I did that but didn't find what you found. Some sub menus still came up in Japanese. Was it Lexus.jp that you went to?

[miop400]

Yes. 

2 hours ago, lexuswannabe said:

Yeah I did that but didn't find what you found. Some sub menus still came up in Japanese. Was it Lexus.jp that you went to?

 

[Tel]

Buy a UX if you want improved rear access.

Tel

[miop400]

Current UX is old and expensive. Price crosses over to a base NX. 
Mag X (an auto scoop Japanese magazine) has sketches of the new UX. 
Front end like a mini RX and rear like a LBX.

I assume the interior will mimic the design language of the LBX.

Expected 2026 model year which is next March.

Initial rumours are that it will be electric only but here’s hoping Lexus comes to its senses and continues with the hybrid.