The all-new Lexus LBX has been named What Car? Car of the Year for 2024. The stylish hybrid crossover also took home the Best Small SUV category award.
What Car? editor Steve Huntingford, said: “The title of What Car? Car of the Year is reserved for the model that has moved things on the farthest in the past 12 months, and this year, that’s the Lexus LBX.
“Despite competing in the hugely competitive small SUV market, it’s a better all-rounder than every rival, not least because it’s the first car in the class to combine hybrid efficiency with big-car luxury.”
What Car? Car of the Year Winners 2024
Car of the Year: Lexus LBX
Small Car, sponsored by MotorEasy: Renault Clio 1.0 TCe 90 Techno
Family Car: Toyota Corolla 1.8 Hybrid Icon
Hot Hatch: Mercedes-AMG A45 S Plus
Small SUV, sponsored by Solera Cap HPI: Lexus LBX 1.5 Premium Plus
Family SUV, sponsored by Quotezone: Kia Sportage 1.6 T-GDi 3
Plug-in Hybrid: Mazda MX-30 R-EV Prime-Line
Small Electric Car, sponsored by Myenergi: MG4 EV SE
Executive Car: Tesla Model 3 RWD
Estate Car: Toyota Corolla Touring Sports 1.8 Hybrid Icon
Seven-seater: Land Rover Defender 110 D300 X-Dynamic S
Luxury Car: BMW X7 40d M Sport (Ultimate Pack)
Small Electric SUV, sponsored by Blackhorse Finance: Smart #1 Premium
Family Electric SUV, sponsored by Blackhorse Finance: Kia EV6
Reliability Award, in association with MotorEasy: Lexus
Safety Award, sponsored by Thatcham Research: Volkswagen ID 7
Technology Award, sponsored by Goodwood: Tesla Superchargers V4
Tow Car Award, in association with The Camping and Caravanning Club: Kia
Gareth is a versatile journalist, copywriter and digital editor who’s worked across the media in newspapers, magazines, TV, teletext, radio and online. After long stints at the BBC, GMTV and ITV, he now specialises in motoring.
We get behind the wheel of the sporty RX 500h – the first-ever turbocharged Lexus hybrid…
The three Cs (‘confidence, control and comfort’) are the cornerstones of the Lexus driving experience.
There’s no mention of ‘sport’, yet the latest version of the big RX SUV we’ve been testing seems to embrace performance and driver engagement as much as the three Cs.
What’s more, efficiency takes a back seat too, along with another Lexus fixture – the much-maligned CVT transmission.
So. the RX 500h (marketed as a ‘performance hybrid’) is a genuine curiosity and marks something of a departure for Toyota’s upmarket sister brand.
Just to recap, the original RX 450h was the world’s first luxury hybrid SUV when it was launched in 2005.
The RX is now in its fifth generation and buyers can choose from a 350h hybrid or 450h plug-in hybrid, plus the new range-topping 500h.
All offer four-wheel drive, but the 500h is the first-ever Lexus turbocharged hybrid.
The 500h mates a 2.4-litre petrol engine with two electric motors (front and rear) and a conventional six-speed automatic gearbox.
For the record, the engine develops 366bhp and 550Nm torque, translating into a brisk 0-62mph acceleration time of 6.2 seconds.
There’s also a new ‘Direct4’ torque-vectoring electric rear axle and four-wheel steering.
Priced from a hefty £77,195 and available in F Sport or Takumi trim, the 500h looks much the same as its siblings (the 350h and 450h ) which is no bad thing, and it’s a tad smaller than a BMW X5.
The RX’s design has subtly evolved from the previous generation. It’s retained much the same shape and athletic presence, but the styling is sharper and more refined, while its new pointy nose (complete with trademark Lexus spindle grille) is the biggest change.
Inside, the RX is luxurious, comfortable and beautifully built. The cabin is light and spacious, and there’s ample leg and headroom in the back.
You can then add 461 litres of luggage capacity (seats up) or 621-litre (seats up, loaded to the roof), expanding to 1,678 litres with the rear seats folded.
On the tech front, the latest RX has ditched the previous model’s fiddly touchpad infotainment control and there’s now a more conventional 14-inch central touchscreen, alongside a digital driver’s display. The system is on the quirky side and takes some getting used to, but it’s an improvement on RXs of old.
However, it’s on the road that the Lexus RX 500h (we tested it in F-Sport trim) comes into its own.
Firstly, the old-school auto gearbox has transformed the RX 500h. Gone are the days of easing the accelerator in order to avoid the temporary din of high engine revs (a CVT gearbox foible). Instead, the six-speed shifts smoothly with just the right hint of aggression.
It’s a big 4×4 and weighs 2.1 tonnes, so it’s never going to be the kind of car that can barrel up to fast corners and get away with it, but thanks to some clever tech, it’s more capable and fun than you might think.
Body lean is better controlled than lesser RXs, and there’s plenty of grunt, especially in the mid-range.
The steering is responsive and there’s a powerful engine note, while the hybrid system works imperceptibly in the background.
The ride is in on the firm side, but on A-roads and motorways, it’s the composed and confident cruiser you’d expect from a Lexus.
Of course, no car is perfect, and the Lexus RX 500h is no exception. Lexus claims it can return 34.0-35.3 mpg, yet we managed closer to 25mpg. With a bit of restraint 30-ish mpg is possible, but considering Lexus’s pioneering hybrid history, we expected more.
Verdict: The Lexus RX 500h is something of a revelation. The addition of a conventional automatic gearbox, a turbocharged petrol hybrid powertrain and other clever tech delivers performance and attitude to an already accomplished big SUV.
We experience the epic Lexus LM luxury people carrier – from the driver’s seat, and as a pampered passenger…
Lexus appears to have pulled off a masterstroke with its LM (luxury mover). An exclusive niche market has been identified and LMs will soon be seen shuttling the wealthy between airports and plush hotels, depositing celebs on red carpets, and generally ferrying movers and shakers around the country.
The ubiquitous Mercedes-Benz V-Class isn’t for everyone and limousines are a little ostentatious, so Lexus is on to a winner with the LM. What’s more, the price range of £89,995 to £112,995 doesn’t appear to have put off buyers. Orders are already way above expectations.
Lexus LM four-seater
The secret of the LM is that it’s not too flash and it offers a flexible space that can be used as a sumptuous people mover, spacious mobile office, or somewhere to simply relax in abject luxury on the move.
Two versions are offered, with four or seven seats. The flagship four-seater features two “captain’s chair’ rear seats (inspired by those found in first class airline cabins) which can also be fully reclined.
The seven-seat model has two seats with massage functionality, plus a third row of flip-up seats which can be folded away when more load space is required.
Lexus LM seven-seater
The standard Lexus LM is front-wheel drive (AWD is optional) and comes with a 14.0-inch screen in the rear, dual sunroof, a 21-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, and a goodies list as long as your arm.
The top-of-the-range Takumi gets the wow factor with a partition between the front and rear cabin housing a 48-inch screen, plus a fridge and 23-speaker 3D surround Mark Levinson sound system.
First impressions count, and it’s fair to say that the Lexus LM is more of a statement than a looker. The designers have done their best to make it special, and not just another slab-sided MPV.
The combination of clever contours, bold creases, massive signature ‘spindle’ grille with slim LED headlights, plus the illusion of a floating roof, result in a people mover with serious road presence.
And at 5.1m long, 1.9m tall and 1.89m wide, it’s no shrinking violet. Though weirdly, behind the wheel it’s far more manageable than you might think, as long as you steer clear of narrow country lanes.
Built on the GA-K platform shared with the NX and RX SUVs, Lexus is keen to emphasise that the LM has more in common with a car than its rivals, which tend to be van-based.
Lexus LM seven-seater
The driving experience proves the point. The front cabin and seating position have the feel of a big crossover.
We suspect most LM buyers and users are unlikely to get behind the wheel themselves, but for the record, here goes…
From a driving point of view, all-round visibility is best in the seven-seater without the partition and widescreen (a rear-view digital mirror helps), but otherwise it’s a comfortable, spacious and well-equipped place to be, with a car-like dashboard layout.
There’s no shortage of power, thanks to the same 247bhp self-charging hybrid system you’ll find in the NX 350h and RX 350h models, combining a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with electric assistance.
Acceleration from rest to 62mph can be accomplished in 8.7 seconds (9.1s for the FWD model) and maximum speed for both models is 118mph. CO2 emissions are in the 152-163g/km range, while fuel economy is as high as 42.1mpg.
Like the NX and RX 350h models, the LM uses a CVT gearbox which spoils the ambience of the cabin if progress is anything but stately. You see, the revs shoot up if you’re anything but soft with the right pedal, producing a temporary din.
It may not be possible, but I’d suggest fitting the hybrid powertrain from the RX 500h F Sport which uses a six-speed automatic gearbox and is far more relaxed.
That said, chauffeuring is all about smoothness, so the LM is still a delight to be driven in by a professional, even with the CVT.
At nearly three tonnes (gross weight), it’s a substantial vehicle, yet it’s easy to drive and surprisingly manoeuvrable. It would be an exaggeration to call it agile, but it floats around nicely, switching seamlessly between petrol and electric modes at lower speeds.
Lexus LM four-seater
I can’t help feeling that a plug-in hybrid or 100% electric version might further boost sales where regular journeys take in ultra-low emissions zones, but maybe that’s one for the future.
However, the Lexus LM is all about the rear compartment. Both the four-seater and three-row options are a treat to travel in, though being able to fully recline in the former is particularly relaxing.
Each of the main two seats in both versions get individual digital handsets to control everything from the audio to the window blinds (they all close), while the seats are super comfy. There’s also an overhead console with some storage and controls for features such as the power-sliding doors.
Lexus LM four-seater
Overall, as you’d expect from Lexus, the materials used in the cabin are top notch and the quality is faultless.
A special mention for the panoramic screen in the top spec version which can also be split so that one passenger could be watching a movie, while the other is scrolling through a presentation.
A ‘Rear Comfort’ drive mode has also been developed to further refine the passenger experience with new braking and body control systems. There’s also tech to counter cabin noise and vibration, which worked particularly well.
Lexus LM four-seater
I’m very sensitive to travel nausea and I managed perfectly well as a back-seat passenger while in a normal sitting position, but not so much when I was lying down on anything other than smooth, straight roads.
The two versions have their plus and minus points. As a passenger I prefer seeing out front, so the seven-seater without the partition works best, but nothing can quite match the opulence of the widescreen, two seats and extra space of the top-of-the-range Takumi model.
Verdict: The bold new Lexus LM luxury people carrier recaptures the feeling of flying on a private jet, offering a winning combination of superb comfort, quality, practicality and privacy.
An underground car park has been transformed into an “extraordinary immersive light experience” to mark the launch of Lexus LBX – a landmark model for the brand.
The Extraordinary Car Park in Soho, London, will be open to the public from September 21-24 and admission is free.
This event, which is the second in a series of four LBX pop-up extraordinary experiences across Europe, will take place at QPark, 51 Poland Street, W1F 7ND.
The Extraordinary Car Park takes the familiar process of driving into a multi-storey and looking for a space and turns it into an art experience.
Guests follow a walking route of discovery through LED arches and canopies of lights. Fields of undulating light bulbs spring into life, triggered by voice activation, and a display of LED batons pulse in rhythm with the viewer’s heartbeats.
The all-new hybrid LBX is the smallest Lexus yet, making it practical for daily city driving. Lexus hopes the baby SUV will appeal to younger customers and those who may not have considered the brand before.
Lexus builds the definitive luxury GT – LC 500 – and they’ve taken it up a notch with the limited-edition ’24 LEXUS LC 500 INSPIRATION!
When enthusiasts think about true high-performance Grand Touring cars, Lexus is usually not at the top of the list. Best known for high-quality and luxurious sedans and SUVs, its stunning LC 500 coupe and convertible tend to fly under the radar. Powered by a 471 horsepower, naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 coupled with a 10-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission bolstered by magnesium paddle shifters, an LC 500 coupe takes just 4.4 seconds to sprint from 0 to 60 mph. Unfortunately, they don’t build that many, and they often can be hard to find in dealer showrooms.
This year, The LC 500 Inspiration Series makes a roaring return, bringing back its iconic and elegant styling for the new model year. Building on the flagship coupe and convertible, the ‘24 LEXUS LC 500 INSPIRATION! Series showcases a unique aesthetic that thoughtfully blends design with performance, including front bumper canards and a coupe-exclusive carbon fiber fixed rear wing spoiler. With production limited to 125 units available in North America, they will be available in the Fall.
The ‘24 LEXUS LC 500 INSPIRATION! Series draws from Lexus’ racing heritage with aerodynamic enhancements including front bumper canards to balance lift, and a coupe-exclusive carbon-fiber fixed rear wing spoiler to assist with handling stability. Building on the Lexus Driving Signature additional performance highlights include a standard Torsen® limited-slip differential and rear performance dampers that contribute to increased vehicle response and a more refined driving feel. The coupe adopts the convertible’s front and rear underfloor braces, and a standard carbon fiber roof that’s optional on a typical LC 500.Moving inside, the calming Deep Blue monotone interior with contrasting grey stitching contributes to a meditative in-cabin experience featuring Alcantara®-trimmed sport seats and headliner (coupe) or semi-aniline trimmed seats and Lexus Climate Concierge with upper body heating (convertible). This model year, the Inspiration Series scuff plate door accents are in carbon fiber with a serialized badge returning on the center console to recognize that production will be limited to just 125 units.
The ‘24 LEXUS LC 500 INSPIRATION! Series coupe has an MSRP of $116,700 and the convertible is priced at $121,900. For more information about the latest vehicles from Lexus, please visit https://www.lexus.com/
