Lexus LBX: Toyota Yaris Cross luxury twin teased, in line for Australia

The luxury twin to the Toyota Yaris Cross city SUV – and the smallest Lexus ever sold – has been previewed, and it appears to be a strong chance for Australian showrooms.

The pint-sized Lexus LBX – the luxury twin under the skin to the Toyota Yaris Cross – appears set for Australian showrooms after it is unveiled in Europe next month.

Due to be unveiled on June 5, the LBX is set to become the smallest vehicle ever offered by Lexus, and is expected to be a close relative of the Toyota Yaris hatch and Yaris Cross city SUV.

Lexus Australia issued a media bulletin tonight with a pair of teaser images of the new LBX, confirming a global unveiling next month, and saying “we look forward to sharing more information then.”

The company has not confirmed plans to sell the LBX locally, but it is highly unusual for Lexus Australia to issue a media release for a new vehicle not planned for local showrooms.

Teaser of what is now all but confirmed to be the Lexus LBX, issued in December 2021.

There have been reports of plans for an entry-level Lexus vehicle based on the Toyota Yaris Cross for nearly three years, when the company filed to trademark the LBX name.

The preview images confirm a small, high-riding Lexus hatch teased (above) as part of a Toyota media event 18 months ago – in December 2021 – was the LBX, with the same headlight design and upper front grille bar.

The new Lexus teasers reveal the LBX’s distinctive tail-light signature (below), which stretches across the rear of the car in a ‘W’ shape.

Reports out of Japan have claimed the Lexus LBX will share its hybrid technology with the Yaris Cross, combining a 1.5-litre non-turbo three-cylinder petrol engine with electric motors, and a choice of front- and all-wheel drive.

It is unclear if it will increase power beyond the 85kW of the Yaris Cross hybrid – a figure that would make the LBX the least powerful Lexus ever produced.

The LBX is expected to be close in size to the Yaris Cross SUV’s 4.2m-long body, compared to the 4.5m-long footprint of the Lexus UX, which is the brand’s current entry-level vehicle.

There have been reports out of Japan of a revival of the Lexus CT hatchback sold from 2011 to 2021. It is unclear if these reports are accurate, or if the LBX is this vehicle.

The city-sized Lexus would also be the company’s first model since the LFA supercar of 2011 to use three letters in its name.

It’s unclear why it is badged LBX, not BX – however it could be to avoid a trademark clash with Citroen, which offered a hatchback known as the BX in the 1980s.

When asked if there would be demand for a Lexus smaller than the UX, Lexus Australia boss John Pappas told Drive last week:

“Possibly. I think that again, like I said to you before, I really want to see Lexus playing in all segments – in terms of the luxury space, I’m talking – and being able to be catering for the different lifestyles of people, and really trying to broaden our horizon from a product perspective.

“So this product strategy and portfolio that we’re talking about – with the three [new models in new market segments in the next 18 months], by that we’re talking about with the LM and the two others – definitely puts us in that play.”

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