Expatma

The question I keep asking myself is why do hybrids like the LBX need a 12V battery at all? Why not run everything off the hybrid-battery with step down transformers if necessary? That way no problems with ‘small’ 12V batteries running out of charge and ICE could cut in as necessary to keep hybrid battery sufficiently charged for all ancillaries. Protective software would prevent hybrid-battery being depleted by ancillaries/long time storage etc. to the point it wouldn’t have sufficient power to start engine. Can’t think of a good reason why this wouldn’t work for both hybrids and pure EV’s - anyone any thoughts?

I test drove an LBX in June, one short and one long (2hr) drive. Loved the car but my wife found the passenger seat uncomfortable so in the end decided not to buy. Eventually bought a new Mini Countryman instead for less than the price of the LBX but comfortable seats and a more comfortable drive. Often thought about the LBX but reading the problems people are having with the 12V batteries of many small hybrids I am glad I passed on the LBX. This was brought home to me by a neighbour who bought an LBX in the summer complaining that he has to keep trickle charging the battery or else he can’t start the car. He freely admits he only uses the car for short journeys and not every day but thought a hybrid would be ideal for that use with minimal running costs. Advice he got from Lexus dealer and AA was to make sure he did a longish drive weekly to keep the battery in good condition OR use a trickle charger. He is a bit upset because inn his late 70’s he could do without this hassle and thought he was buying a car suitable for his needs. I got the impression he would be swapping his LBX for something else as soon as his wife lets him!

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.

I was pleased when I heard that Lexus were introducing a small but luxurious crossover/SUV. Contacted Lexus and they brought a Premium Plus to my house for us to try, initial impressions were that it was a handsome vehicle with a great road presence. However, I was surprised how low the seats were, not much higher than a small hatchback and much lower than the Yaris Cross architecture on which it is based. The main reasons buyers state for preferring Crossovers/SUV's is the elevated driving position but Lexus have chosen to totally ignore that and instead have designed the LBX as a slightly higher hatchback. I can't help but think Lexus have made a big mistake as they have targeted the LBX at the affluent young and buyers looking to retain the advantages of larger SUV's in a much smaller vehicle. Both of these buying groups prefer higher riding and seating cars. So why did Lexus go low?

The ten year warranty is attractive but I rarely keep a car more than 5-6 years and an extra warranty is often available when you buy the car. To be honest generally modern cars are very reliable and I can't remember when I last had a warranty claim.

I am in a similar position after test driving the LBX, a beautiful car, but my wife found the passenger seat to be so uncomfortable we are forced to look elsewhere. Yaris Cross felt a poor relation after the LBX (though maybe the new Premiere Edition might be better). Mazda CX-30 felt gutless and I missed the power of a turbo at lower revs, had to really rev the Mazda to get it to go! Not a fan of the CH-R looks, felt I should be 30 years younger to admire it!!!! Now booked a test drive in a 1.5 litre VW T-Roc tomorrow, a quick sit in a neighbours entry level T-Roc proved the seats were okayish so hoping the top models leather seats are better. Mini Countryman and Volvo 40 are really much bigger than we need, how can they still call it a Mini when it’s nearly 4.4 metres long? Any other ideas welcomed.

You are right to test drive both. I doubt the Toyota will have the “quality” feel of the Lexus but should still be good. The increased ride height and narrower body might well be the clincher for many. Coming from a Skoda Yeti I really felt that the LBX was low with less visibility than I’m used to, not a deal breaker but concerning nevertheless. Still going to take an extended road test but now looking at alternatives as well. Finally seat comfort was so so, though I think that maybe because in a lower car your legs are straighter rather than more naturally “bent” as in a higher seating position SUV. My passenger remarked on that aspect particularly.

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.

I know but wonder why not when Lexus are clearly targeting a new customer base who want the simple things!

Some things are just very useful - hooks to hang shopping from are one of them to prevent everything tumbling around the boot or having to wedge items to keep the shopping bags upright. The adjustable boot floor is great for sliding things in and not having to lift items from deep in boot recess. A simple “floor panel" that can be set level with the boot opening but dropped to the bottom floor of the boot just makes life easier. Neither of these are complex but just make life easier for users.

The thing I don’t get on what is a “premium” vehicle is no hooks in the boot for hanging shopping bags from and no height adjustable boot floor so it can be completely flat with no lip or set low to maximise boot space. These are really low cost additions and competitors, including VW etc., have both. Why?