Is this the luxury bargain of 2024? Lexus LBX hybrid SUV is much cheaper than BMW X1 and Benz GLA

March 11, 2024March 9, 2024 John Mahoney 2960 Views bmw, GLA, hybrid, LBX, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, X1

Japanese luxury player Lexus has announced full pricing for its 2024 Lexus LBX ahead of its Australian launch on March 18 and revealed that its cheapest car in its line-up will be priced from $47,550 plus on-roads.

Created to be the brand’s new entry-offering, the Lexus LBX slots into the range where the discontinued CT 200h used to live and is actually based on the much cheaper Toyota Yaris Cross ($28,000-$39,000).

But the LBX’s selling point is that it will be the only small SUV sold by a premium brand in Australia.

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When it lands in Australian dealerships there will be just three variants, the Luxury 2WD that is priced from $47,550, a mid-spec Sports Luxury 2WD version that costs $52,990 and a Sports Luxury AWD that is priced from $56,990.

Despite sounding expensive for a light SUV, Lexus says its cheapest genuine rival from fellow premium brands cost much more. The most affordable BMW X1 is $60,400 and the cheapest Mercedes-Benz GLA is $63,200.

Whichever LBX you buy all versions come with the same 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol-electric hybrid that pushes out a combined 100kW and is matched with a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Helping justify its punch pricing, even the most basic Luxury 2WD comes with heated ‘NuLux’ leather electric sport seats, a large 12.3-inch full digital instrument cluster, a 9.8-inch infotainment screen, a powered tailgate, auto wipers, climate control and a panoramic view monitor.

The Sports Luxury throws in Ultrasuede trim, auto parking, active noise control and a powerful 13-speaker Mark Levinson sound system.

Designed to attract younger buyers to the brand, the arrival of the new electrified Lexus LBX has already been described as a “gamechanger” by Lexus Australia CEO John Pappas.

“It has all the luxury, craftsmanship, high quality and signature driving experience you will find in any car wearing the Lexus badge – at a remarkably tempting price,” he said.

“The LBX will attract affluent younger customers to the brand as well as provide another option for existing Lexus customers wanting to either downsize or have a second Lexus vehicle for casual weekend fun.”

Once launched it’s thought Lexus will eventually introduce a faster performance flagship inspired by the LBX Morizo RR concept that was unwrapped at the 2024 Tokyo Auto Salon.

If so, it will come with a development of the Toyota GR Yaris 1.6-litre three-cylinder turbo making about 224kW and 400Nm and combining with a new eight-speed ‘direct shift’ automatic.