New Lexus LBX (Posh Yaris)

[anchorman]

18 hours ago, RonYarisX said:

As stated elsewhere, we choose the GR Sport spec primarily for the seats.

Regarding the LBX - I don't get it. Reminds me of that Aston Martin Toy thing that was introduced based on a Toyota - what were they thinking?

Biggest issue with YC is rear accommodation. If you don't use the rear like us, then it's not an issue. Reason we chose a YC was because the boot space ( and design ) vs length of car was ideal. And this is where the LBX falls flat on it's face, boot space is about 25% less than YC.

There's obviously going to be a substantial increase in price not only for the car but for servicing and I suspect insurance too. Somebody in another yaris topic mentioned Toyota should have Lexus standards of servicing. The current price for a full service on a CT200h is £505 so you can expect similar on an LBX. People in the market for cars of this size are not in the habit of paying premium running costs.

An LBX wouldn't even be on my radar - less practical than a YC and way more expensive.

Lexus sales in Europe have nosedived in recent years and I reckon the LBX is just another example of how Lexus are out-of-touch with the European market.

I'll give it 5 years max and it'll be retired from their European line-up.

 

There is a misconception that the LBX is a Badge engineered Cross.  It couldn’t be further from the truth, the only thing it shares is the floor pan.   The Cross is all about lightweight efficiency but the entirely Japanese built LBX is about luxury and build quality.  It is poles apart on so many levels and the only thing that stopped me ordering one was that they were unable to tell me whether it was available with ventilated seats which my mrs insists on.  Yes it will be at least 10k dearer than it’s Cross equivalent but its up build will make it worth every penny.  

[wivenhoe]

I hope the build of the LBX is better than the build of my new £ 70k RZ - the car is going in for a replacement AC charging unit on Tuesday and it’s the fourth time at the dealers since May when bought new. Had to have the AA out as the 12v Battery went flat (car run regularly and had done 2,500 miles in 2 months) - problem with the RZ is that door are opened using electric so even the manual key wouldn’t open it so the bonnet couldn’t be opened to charge the Battery. Tyre noise was extreme so had the wheels ‘rotated’ which helped. 
The new Lexus Link+ is less functional than my wife’s My Toyota and is unstable - reports status from days ago, does not have send to car and doesn’t have Remote Park as per the brochure when ordered. 
The issue with the AC charger unit means I haven’t been able to use my home charger for 6 weeks so paying more than double to charge the car with all the inconvenience. 
Ironically I swapped from my 2 year old Range Rover Velar because it was unreliable and the Lexus is worse !

Apologies for the rant but in my case - Lexus no longer provide the build and reliability they are renowned for so be careful if considering the new LBX and paying a significant premium. 

[wivenhoe]

Should have also said just 1 key and no sign of a second and no locking wheel nut - even 4 months later. 

[anchorman]

43 minutes ago, wivenhoe said:

I hope the build of the LBX is better than the build of my new £ 70k RZ - the car is going in for a replacement AC charging unit on Tuesday and it’s the fourth time at the dealers since May when bought new. Had to have the AA out as the 12v battery went flat (car run regularly and had done 2,500 miles in 2 months) - problem with the RZ is that door are opened using electric so even the manual key wouldn’t open it so the bonnet couldn’t be opened to charge the battery. Tyre noise was extreme so had the wheels ‘rotated’ which helped. 
The new Lexus Link+ is less functional than my wife’s My Toyota and is unstable - reports status from days ago, does not have send to car and doesn’t have Remote Park as per the brochure when ordered. 
The issue with the AC charger unit means I haven’t been able to use my home charger for 6 weeks so paying more than double to charge the car with all the inconvenience. 
Ironically I swapped from my 2 year old Range Rover Velar because it was unreliable and the Lexus is worse !

Apologies for the rant but in my case - Lexus no longer provide the build and reliability they are renowned for so be careful if considering the new LBX and paying a significant premium. 

Yes they do, that’s a derisory statement when they build the most reliable cars in the world.  You’ve bought the first Battery only model made and you’re getting a few bugs.  You can get in with a flat Battery if you know what you are doing and it begs the question, what were you doing to flatten it.   What I would say to potential buyers is to ignore emotive rants like this.  I can understand your frustration but you spoiled it when you made the sweeping statement that the makers of the most zero defect cars in the world ever no longer build reliable cars and apply it to the first unique model and one that hasn’t been sold yet.  

[wivenhoe]

Oh dear. A Lexus fan who is living in the past. I

know what I am / was doing - the flat Battery was a major defect in the charging system. The failure of the AC charging unit was a manufacturing defect. I bet you wouldn’t describe the lack of AC home charging for 6 weeks a ‘bug’ if your car was effected. Losing the car 4 times having to take the car to the dealers is not having a few bugs. 
When you pay £ 70k+ for a car you shouldn’t be a test driver to find ‘bugs’. How can you describe Lexus as having Zero Defects when my car has major defects - I wasn’t ranting I was informing people that Lexus’s crown is slipping and to be mindful of that when paying the Lexus premium. 

Do you drive a recently bought new Lexus or is your car the Yaris in your profile - if you don’t drive a new Lexus how can you talk with authority about Zero Defects. Have you seen how busy Lexus dealers are dealing with recent model recalls ? Recent one for the NX - The DC-DC converter may be faulty, which can cause the current from the 12V Battery to continue to flow, generating heat and increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.
I can compare my experience with the new LBX as both cars are new models, a better comparison to your comparison with historic models. 

We bought a new Yaris at the same time as the RZ - totally different experience. Car was very well turned out when we collected it and it hasn’t missed a beat since. A very reliable car. No Battery problems so demonstrates that “we know what we are doing” 
 

[anchorman]

25 minutes ago, wivenhoe said:

Oh dear. A Lexus fan who is living in the past. I

know what I am / was doing - the flat battery was a major defect in the charging system. The failure of the AC charging unit was a manufacturing defect. I bet you wouldn’t describe the lack of AC home charging for 6 weeks a ‘bug’ if your car was effected. Losing the car 4 times having to take the car to the dealers is not having a few bugs. 
When you pay £ 70k+ for a car you shouldn’t be a test driver to find ‘bugs’. How can you describe Lexus as having Zero Defects when my car has major defects - I wasn’t ranting I was informing people that Lexus’s crown is slipping and to be mindful of that when paying the Lexus premium. 

Do you drive a recently bought new Lexus or is your car the Yaris in your profile - if you don’t drive a new Lexus how can you talk with authority about Zero Defects. Have you seen how busy Lexus dealers are dealing with recent model recalls ? Recent one for the NX - The DC-DC converter may be faulty, which can cause the current from the 12V battery to continue to flow, generating heat and increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.
I can compare my experience with the new LBX as both cars are new models, a better comparison to your comparison with historic models. 

We bought a new Yaris at the same time as the RZ - totally different experience. Car was very well turned out when we collected it and it hasn’t missed a beat since. A very reliable car. No battery problems so demonstrates that “we know what we are doing” 
 

The last sentence of your post said you were ranting, now you say you’re not.  If you’d have said that you were disappointed with your RZ that would be one thing that bared rational but to say Lexus no longer make quality cars based on your experience of a new technology brand new model is puerile.  I would guess RZ sales are single digits worldwide so applying it to the brand is comical.  Yes I’ve got experience of Lexus cars through ownership and through a lifetime of being a qualified vehicle engineer of which 17 years was in development.  If you are attempting to justify your comment with one tech bulletin on another new model it tells me all I need to know.  You even appear to be comparing it with the same brand.   Sell your RZ and go and buy a German new model electric and see how soon you become familiar with the service department names.  I’m not a fanboy but I’m not an uninformed troll either.  

[TonyHSD]

6 hours ago, anchorman said:

I’m going back to Lexus Tony.  I’ve found a cancelled order at a very good price which is currently passing the west coast of Portugal.   Should be in the country by Tuesday.  I’ll get it early October by the time it’s been via Derby.  It is grey with a very pale grey soft leather interior which of course I had no choice but I’m actually looking forward to.  It’s a Takumi spec UX with the 2.0 litre engine.  A very good friend is having the Cross.  

Thanks Don, 

that is a very good choice for a car 👍 

Well done and enjoy when it arrives. 👌🚙

[local hero]

On the toyota/ lexus discussion I have both! An 18yr old Lexus sc430 (described by Clarkson  as the worst car in the world) still runs like it has just left the showroom, and a 17yr old Rav that has had only 1 fault exhaust corrosion but Don fitted my twin exhaust 15 yrs ago (is it still under warranty? ) 🤐

[RonYarisX]

7 hours ago, anchorman said:

There is a misconception that the LBX is a badge engineered Cross.  It couldn’t be further from the truth, the only thing it shares is the floor pan.   The Cross is all about lightweight efficiency but the entirely Japanese built LBX is about luxury and build quality.  It is poles apart on so many levels and the only thing that stopped me ordering one was that they were unable to tell me whether it was available with ventilated seats which my mrs insists on.  Yes it will be at least 10k dearer than it’s Cross equivalent but its up build will make it worth every penny.  

"The only thing that stopped me from ordering one...". When it comes to facts then read no further - you haven't ordered one.

Whether a car is worth it or not is up to the individual, but just wondering how you can say such a thing when no prices have been announced? No specs have been announced either so how can anyone say it'll be worth it?

I'm sure many like mysel(and probably the designers too) will be asking themselves why the need for ventilated seats on a car designed for short trips? Regardless of your reason, there's absolutely nothing stopping you pre-ordering the top trim level and if it doesn't come with ventilated seats, then just ask for your £500 back. Deposits are fully refundable according to the Lexus website.

What do you reckon the competition is if not the Cross? or to put it another way, if the LBX doesn't come with ventilated seats, what car are you going to buy which does? 

 

[anchorman]

4 hours ago, RonYarisX said:

"The only thing that stopped me from ordering one...". When it comes to facts then read no further - you haven't ordered one.

Whether a car is worth it or not is up to the individual, but just wondering how you can say such a thing when no prices have been announced? No specs have been announced either so how can anyone say it'll be worth it?

I'm sure many like mysel(and probably the designers too) will be asking themselves why the need for ventilated seats on a car designed for short trips? Regardless of your reason, there's absolutely nothing stopping you pre-ordering the top trim level and if it doesn't come with ventilated seats, then just ask for your £500 back. Deposits are fully refundable according to the Lexus website.

What do you reckon the competition is if not the Cross? or to put it another way, if the LBX doesn't come with ventilated seats, what car are you going to buy which does? 

 

Apart from not reading my post, you haven’t read the thread have you?  You seem to be questioning the fact that I haven’t ordered one.  Does that mean I don’t think it’s good enough or better than a Cross.  Anyone that doesn’t think a Lexus is better than a Toyota doesn’t understand cars.   I’ve ordered a UX that I know for sure has ventilated seats and at a price that probably isn’t far off that of the LBX Takumi.   Maybe in three years I’ll have an LBX but I’m not missing this cancelled order because I’ll be in it in four weeks.   

[Cyker]

I hope you give us a tour and comparison! Preferably before you take it apart and start modding it...  

[anchorman]

1 minute ago, Cyker said:

I hope you give us a tour and comparison! Preferably before you take it apart and start modding it...  

it’ll have to suffer moderate disassembly to fit the dashcams but I’ve got mudflaps and it’ll get the obligatory cross climate tyres but other than that I’m not expecting surgery.  I’ll give you a full photographic tour.  Tony will like the Hybrid Powertrain.   

[local hero]

13 minutes ago, Cyker said:

I hope you give us a tour and comparison! Preferably before you take it apart and start modding it...  

I am surprised  Don is not on his way to Portugal  with a rubber dingy strapped to his back and his tool kit at the ready!

Just looked at a few videos of the LBX and if it's basic price is £30k as suggested plus its quoted  as 130 bhp then I might have a dabble myself, can I get my £500 deposit back from Toyota ? 🙃

[GR KAIZEN]

14 hours ago, anchorman said:

There is a misconception that the LBX is a badge engineered Cross.  It couldn’t be further from the truth, the only thing it shares is the floor pan.   The Cross is all about lightweight efficiency but the entirely Japanese built LBX is about luxury and build quality.  It is poles apart on so many levels and the only thing that stopped me ordering one was that they were unable to tell me whether it was available with ventilated seats which my mrs insists on.  Yes it will be at least 10k dearer than it’s Cross equivalent but its up build will make it worth every penny.  

 

Yes it is like comparing the Auris to the CT 200h which shared the same platform but was a totally different world in terms of luxury and feature set.

Considering that the LBX is the unofficial successor to the CT 200h fitting into the 'entry' Lexus category the 30k base price is not unreasonable at all . The CT 200h originally launched in 2011 starting from £23845. When you take into account inflation over 13 years when people take delivery in 2024 of the LBX and the general baseline increase in car prices(a base dacia sandro is now £13,795 hyundai i10 £15,155..) the LBX starting from 30k is very competitive.

 

 

[YarisHybrid2016]

If the LBX will be "only" 30k, that means the 2024 Yaris must be no more than 28k, because otherwise Toyota and Lexus are fighting for the same customers, and Toyota are likely to lose if the Lexus version turns out better overall (higher spec, etc).

I can see it eating into Cross sales, too, depending on seating position (this seems to be the main factor for people choosing the Cross - my wife included).

There are getting to be too many cars of very similar pricing fighting for the same market segment.

[Jimota]

On 9/10/2023 at 5:39 AM, anchorman said:

I’m going back to Lexus Tony.  I’ve found a cancelled order at a very good price which is currently passing the west coast of Portugal.   Should be in the country by Tuesday.  I’ll get it early October by the time it’s been via Derby.  It is grey with a very pale grey soft leather interior which of course I had no choice but I’m actually looking forward to.  It’s a Takumi spec UX with the 2.0 litre engine.  A very good friend is having the Cross.  

I’m really disappointed with you Don.  This means I’ll now have to join a Lexus forum to follow your step by step guides on all sorts of vehicle upgrades and improvements.  Seriously, all the best with your new car and hope you can still make contributions to the Yaris Cross forum.  I’d be really interested if you could do a comparison report between the two cars when you find the time.

Cheers

[Tel 2]

The Cross Revision in late 2024 will have some of the LBX up-grades so the LBX price will be nearer 40k for a good spec.

Tel

[anchorman]

2 hours ago, Jimota said:

I’m really disappointed with you Don.  This means I’ll now have to join a Lexus forum to follow your step by step guides on all sorts of vehicle upgrades and improvements.  Seriously, all the best with your new car and hope you can still make contributions to the Yaris Cross forum.  I’d be really interested if you could do a comparison report between the two cars when you find the time.

Cheers

I’ll still be about Jim and yes, I’ll show you some Lexus features for comparison 👍

[anchorman]

1 hour ago, Tel 2 said:

The Cross Revision in late 2024 will have some of the LBX up-grades so the LBX price will be nearer 40k for a good spec.

Tel

They reckon there will be an entry level model at circa 30k.  I would have to pay 40k for ventilated seats if they include them because they only tend to appear in the top grade Takumi spec.   That isn’t far off what I’ve paid for the 49k UX.  I know for sure there will be no LBX discounts in the first year.  

[local hero]

1 hour ago, Tel 2 said:

The Cross Revision in late 2024 will have some of the LBX up-grades so the LBX price will be nearer 40k for a good spec.

Tel

I saw a review of the Lbx That said the car above the Lbx is the Ux which I believe is £35k not really sure on this,  so they couldn't price the base model higher hope I am right as I really couldn't afford that🥺

[TonyHSD]

Not only Tony , but everyone will like your car and drive train 😉👌 

Did you go for the awd-I again or the regular fwd version ? 
Can’t wait for comparison review, fuel consumption and pictures. 👍
LBX starts from £29990

[Jimota]

Every day is a school day.  I’ve known about heated seats for years but ventilated ones are a revelation to me.  Not sure I would benefit from this specification but I always remember saying about 45 years ago that due to the inclement weather in the UK there was no need for air conditioning in our cars!  I also remember saying that mobile phones would never catch on.  

[Rhymes with Paris]

27 minutes ago, Jimota said:

Every day is a school day.  I’ve known about heated seats for years but ventilated ones are a revelation to me.  Not sure I would benefit from this specification but I always remember saying about 45 years ago that due to the inclement weather in the UK there was no need for air conditioning in our cars!  I also remember saying that mobile phones would never catch on.  

Aye, I can well remember in the 70s and into the 80s and beyond, that air conditioning was way beyond the reach of myself, and everyone that I knew who ran cars.

Of course,if you were young and fit as I was then it was windows open, sweat, and manage.

I think my first car with it was not until 2000s.

But on Saturday just gone, when I did a bit of shopping the temp and humidity here was so intense, showing 31 degrees on my car thermometer.

I was so grateful that the air conditioning on my old Yaris still works, without it I genuinely believe that I would have been very ill, with breathing difficulty.

 

 

 

[anchorman]

4 hours ago, Jimota said:

Every day is a school day.  I’ve known about heated seats for years but ventilated ones are a revelation to me.  Not sure I would benefit from this specification but I always remember saying about 45 years ago that due to the inclement weather in the UK there was no need for air conditioning in our cars!  I also remember saying that mobile phones would never catch on.  

Anchorwoman’s thermostat is stuck closed and she’s always hot.  Those seats are like honey to a bee so very high on her priority list.  Before getting the Cross I semi convinced her cloth seats wouldn’t be an issue but my credibility is now gone and only ventilated seats will offset my treachery.   

[Cyker]

Stop bragging about your hot wife!!