Lexus luxury version of Toyota Yaris Cross baby SUV is a strong chance for Australia
The 2024 Lexus LBX has been teased ahead of the new compact crossover’s full reveal in Milan on June 5 – and it’s a strong chance to be sold in Australia next year.
The Japanese brand has provided a glimpse of the frontal styling and rear lighting signature, while the LBX moniker – which was trademarked back in 2020 – suggests it will slot into the ‘B’ (compact car segment) and be an SUV (as denoted by the ‘X’).
And without a ‘Z’ in the name, the new sub-Lexus UX crossover is not expected to be offered with a battery-electric powertrain, but instead be available with petrol-electric hybrid and possibly even petrol-only options.
Reports suggests the Lexus LBX will be a reskinned version of the Toyota Yaris Cross, handing Lexus Australia its smallest model ever and a new circa-$40,000 entry-level car which fills the gap left by the Toyota Prius-based Lexus CT hatch that was discontinued in 2021.
Just as the Lexus UX is based on the TNGA-C platform that underpins the Toyota C-HR and Corolla Cross, the Lexus LBX is set to use Toyota’s TNGA-B architecture – and share key mechanical components – found on Yaris Cross and other models.
The Yaris Cross measures 4180mm long, 1765mm wide and 1590mm tall, and has a 2560mm wheelbase.
The hybrid version uses an 85kW 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol-electric powertrain and includes both two-wheel drive and 4WD layouts.
As shown by the teaser images, the LBX features a short bonnet and slim C-shaped headlights with an interlinked chrome bar.
It’s also interesting to note the LBX misses out on the brand’s trademark spindle grille, using a honeycomb grille instead.
At the rear-end, the full-width LED tail-light treatment looks like it’s styled to replicate a pair of sunglasses.
Lexus Australia issued a media release overnight heralding the new LBX, which indicates that the car is bound for our market.
In the statement, the company said “we look forward to sharing more information” at the LBX’s unveiling, and that “for now, these images provide a hint of what to expect from this exciting new Lexus … stay tuned”.
Earlier this year, Lexus Australia committed to releasing three all-new models – slotting into new market segments for the brand – before the end of next year.
These have since been confirmed to include the 2024 Lexus LM people-mover, which is due to launch late this year.
With the LBX all but locked in, the third model is still the subject of speculation, with possibilities including a reborn all-electric IS mid-size car and a luxury LF-badged crossover.
The new-generation Toyota Prado-based Lexus GX is also expected to come to Australia, but not until 2025.
Lexus first started toying with the idea of a baby SUV as far back as 2015 when it previewed the Lexus LF-SA concept at the Geneva motor show.
Stay tuned as Lexus is expected to release more teasers of the LBX in the coming weeks ahead of the June 5 unveiling in Italy.
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Keyword: New 2024 Lexus LBX crossover set for June 5 debut