Can the smallest Lexus yet make a big impact on our man? By Al Suttie.

Lexus LBX Premium Plus Design FWD

List price (BiK): £35,365 (26%) CO2: 103g/km Economy: 61.4mpg Test efficiency: 59.0mpg

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Monday

The one-liner ‘Honey, I shrunk the Lexus!’ comes to mind when I first set eyes on the LBX. Smaller even than the out-of-production CT hatch, the LBX is the new first rung on the ladder of Lexus ownership and aimed at those who might be considering an Audi Q2, BMW X1, or even a Toyota CH-R. Does it have the chops to tempt business users away from these players? Let’s find out.

Tuesday

On a style front, Lexus has hit a sweet spot with the LBX to my eyes. Where some of its models can feel a bit too try-hard and cluttered with creases, the LBX appears neat, cleanly formed and more than premium enough to hold its own in some very able company. Its compact size also means whipping it into a tight parking space is easy, aided by light power steering at low speeds.

Wednesday

Like most Lexus models, the LBX is a hybrid, so you don’t need to plug it in to charge it. This does mean its EV range is negligible, but it works with the same smooth transition from battery to petrol power as the Toyota CH-R it shares its drivetrain with. Performance is decent rather than notable, with 0-62mph claimed in 9.2 seconds, but it’s the easy-going nature of the LBX that’s winning me over rather than outright speed.

Thursday

Driving on a mix of twisty back roads and flowing A-roads today shows how refined the LBX is. There is almost no perceptible increase in noise when the petrol engine comes into play. At higher speeds, the engine keeps to this mantra of hushed tones even when asked to work harder through the CVT (continuously variable transmission) gearbox. It makes the Lexus a very pleasant way to travel despite a slightly unsettled low-speed ride.

Friday

The cabin of the LBX is right up to the usual Lexus standards regardless of it being the base model in the range. The driving position is spot on for me, all the controls feel solid and familiar, and even the infotainment set-up is a doddle to use. Thankfully, there are no touch pads in this Lexus, just a touchscreen and simple four-way arrow buttons on the steering wheel.

Saturday

Front-wheel-drive versions of the LBX, like the one I’m driving, have a boot that can hold 402 litres of cargo with the rear seats up, or 994 litres with them folded. That makes the Lexus one of the more practical cars in its class for luggage space, though it comes at the expense of some rear passenger room. It’s about okay for adults, but headroom is definitely at a premium for taller occupants.

Sunday

As well kitted out as this LBX Premium Plus Design model is, the reality for most fleet users is that the more affordable Premium model will do the job just as well. It might miss out on some fancier wheels and a couple of luxury items, but nothing you’ll miss that much and the Premium still has loads of equipment and safety features that mark out the Lexus LBX as one of the best cars in its segment.