«Budget» crossover Lexus LBX: official photos

The new SUV is expected to be smaller and cheaper than the Lexus UX. Most likely, the closest relative of the upcoming «five-door» is the model of the parent company Toyota.

This year has been rich in Lexus premieres: the second generation LM minivan has already been presented, the new large TX crossover and the next generation GX frame SUV have been highlighted. And today another novelty has been announced — a compact SUV with a three-letter LBX index, atypical for the brand. By the way, the premium brand registered this designation a few years ago. Lexus itself has not yet shared details about the cross, only the date and place of the presentation are known: the model will be presented on June 5 in Milan. Meanwhile, Japanese specialized media are confident that the Lexus LBX will be the brother of the Toyota Yaris Cross, which is intended for Europe, Japan and Australia (there is also a Yaris Cross for Southeast Asia, but this is a completely different car). That is, in the range of the brand, the cross will be located under UX.

European Toyota Yaris Cross and Lexus LBX 1/2 European Toyota Yaris Cross and Lexus LBX 2/2 on the GA-B platform created within the framework of the TNGA architecture. The length of the «old-world» Yaris Cross is 4180 mm, the wheelbase is 2560 mm. For comparison, the dimensions of the Lexus UX on the «trolley» GA-C (in the European version): 4495 and 2640 mm, respectively.

Lexus LBX

Judging by the teasers, the Lexus LBX will have an original design, features — small headlights with integrated LED «strokes» of navigation lights, a radiator grill with a «honeycomb» pattern (like the rest of the latest Lexus) and taillights in the form of a single die with a «broken » Stoplight line. Note that a similar concept was captured in a general photo with upcoming Lexus new products, which was published at the end of 2021. >Lexus concept, exposed at the end of 2021

If the LBX is indeed a relative of the Yaris Cross, then the technique is probably common. The Toyota SUV in Europe is available with a hybrid setup, which includes a 1.5 petrol three-cylinder naturally aspirated engine, an electric motor and an electromechanical variator. The total return is 116 hp. Europeans can also opt for an all-wheel drive hybrid with a separate electric motor on the rear axle. And in Japan there is still a “traditional” Toyota Yaris Cross with a 120-horsepower 1.5 engine, front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

European Toyota Yaris Cross 1/4 European Toyota Yaris Cross 2/4 European Toyota Yaris Cross 3/4 European Toyota Yaris Cross 4/4

For the price, the Lexus LBX will obviously be between the Toyota cross and the Lexus UX. The first one in Germany, for example, today costs from 25,340 euros, while a premium brand SUV costs at least 42,150 euros there.