Expatma

She is 5’ 5” which is 1.65m. I guess we are all different and the seat just was wrong for her anatomy!

We took an LBX for a short test drive and everything seemed okay. Smooth, quiet and good ride comfort. However, we then had one for a 3 hour test drive and within the first hour my wife was complaining that the passenger seat was uncomfortable, and the further we went the more uncomfortable it became! Tried every adjustment possible but didn’t seem to make a difference. I think the problem is that there is little support from thighs to knees. The squab angle is just not right and the higher you set the seat the worst the angle gets. Drivers seat with all electric adjustment can compensate on Takumi models but no help for passenger or lower spec models. Eventually we returned to the Dealer and walked away after explaining the problem and by their comments I don’t think we were the first people to complain about the seats! Have now bought the new Mini Countryman, bigger than the Lexus but with very comfortable seats for both passenger and driver. Okay not getting 55 MPG+ plus but am achieving 46 MPG and 50 MPG on long runs with a new engine so expect consumption to improve further as the car runs-in. Interestingly I have kept a log (brimful to brimful) MPG for last 3 cars I have owned and all of them achieve better MPG as mileage increases up to 10,000 miles. No matter how good a car is if the seats aren’t comfortable then it’s no good!

Generally larger diameter wheels are fitted with lower profile but wider tyres. Wider tyres means greater surface area contact with road and thus increased friction - it’s why speedsters like low profile tyres because of shallower tyre walls meaning less flex and wider tyres meaning more grip. Supposed to give a more go-kart positive roadholding experience.

Wouldn’t it be more sensible for Lexus to simply install a bigger and better battery in the first place? The difference in cost between a low capacity 12V battery and a more conventional one is insignificant in comparison to the price of the car.

Exactly, fine for the driver but not available for passenger seat. As I said previously all it needs is a seat squab angle adjustment to solve the problem.

Exactly the problem we found with the LBX, passenger seat squab angle is all wrong, particularly as you raise the seat. No support under thighs or back of knees. Although we liked everything else about the car we eventually walked away because of this. Now ordered a new Mini Countryman on which the passenger seats is much more comfortable with ample support for thighs and behind knees. Such a pity because all Lexus need to have done is include a squab tilt feature on the passenger seat adjustment.

Interesting comment on seat base angle adjuster. We have test driven an LBX twice and liked the car tremendously - HOWEVER, my wife could not get comfortable in the passenger seat and after much investigations and adjustment we found out why. The problem is that as you raise the manual height adjustment on the seat to a comfortable "see out of level” the back of the seat squab rises more than the front and as there is no seat squab angel adjustment all support behind the knees is lost, which my wife found very uncomfortable after a time. Sadly we have had to look elsewhere for a new car. In all other respects the LBX was superb - but if you can’t get comfortable then all is lost!

Well we took a 2 hour test drive and I have to say the LBX is a lovely car to be in and drive, smooth, quiet, responsive and very refined. But - had to be a but - my wife could not get comfortable in the passenger seat. Tried it every way and found it was most comfortable at its lowest setting, but then too low to see anything! After much scrabbling about we found that as the seat is raised the rear of the seat rises more than the front so it begins to "slope” downwards from back to front, you then lose support along your thighs and behind the knees. Couldn’t find anyway to adjust the tilt of the seat to compensate. The test car was a Takumi trim with an electric drivers seat and on that as well as raising the seat you can also tilt the squab to maintain support behind the knees. Great for the driver but not available for the passenger. So sadly we are reconsidering our options, booked a test drive in the new Mini Countryman so will see how we get on in that. Incidentally how they can call the new Countryman a Mini escapes me! It is longer than a Qashquai which is hardly mini’ish. Probably end up just keeping my Skoda Yeti as this rate!!

I would go with the “brown” interior with the yellow paint. Not my colour personally but I agree with schroder - if you can’t have what you want now, then when!! So go with it.

Going to take a 2 hour test drive to determine once and for all whether the passenger seat can be adjusted so as to be comfortable for my wife. if it can then likely we will buy, if not then back to the research for alternatives!

Well I got a quick reply from LV basically stating that the LBX was not yet added to their approved list so they could not offer insurance on it! When I asked when/if it would be added got typical fob off reply that they won’t know until it is added! So no further forward at all. I must wonder why it is taking insurance companies so long to add the LBX to their approved lists, perhaps Lexus are just not big enough to gain any importance in expediting their analysis?

I've just raised a “complaint” with LV asking what the delay is in insuring the LBX and when it will be added to their list. Will keep you updated with outcome.

LV seem to be amazingly slow in recognising the LBX in their quote list. I “spoke” with LV and they told me if it wasn’t on their published list then they wouldn’t insure it. I have been with LV for a couple of years and they have always been efficient and competitive. Wonder what the delay is?

That's exactly what my wife said along with poor support for her legs. I also found the drivers seat okay but of course the driver sits differently because of pedal position etc.

How are owners finding front passenger seat comfort? Initial short test drive in Premium Plus my wife complained the Seat squab was too short to support her legs adequately. Thinking we need a longer drive when she could experiment with various Seat positions but would welcome existing owners who will have driven for longer what they, and their passengers, thoughts are on passenger seat comfort.