Lexus LBX HATCHBACK

1.5 Takumi Design 5dr E-CVT AWD [2026]

Lexus often gets overlooked – and quite unfairly.

It is rarely discussed in conversations about premium brands like Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz- or Jaguar/Land Rover, for that matter.

But it’s hard to see why. After all, Lexus produces superb cars – often cheaper to lease than competitors, and usually with better reliability. In fact, as German powerhouses faltered in dependability, Lexus clawed its way to the top of various leaderboards.

Inevitably, like many manufacturers, Lexus’ range includes a variety of SUVs and crossovers nowadays (plus a saloon car or two for the sake of tradition).

Here, we're looking at its smallest car - the LBX compact crossover SUV. It's the only premium brand in this segment to offer a hybrid, so it has an advantage straight away.

It derives some of its hybridity from the DNA of the Toyota Yaris Cross's system. But don’t let that put you off – the two cars share little else, in terms of size, shape or features.