Lexus LBX to bring hybrid starting price below $50,000 for first time in three years

Toyota’s luxury division Lexus is expected to reintroduce a sub-$50,000 hybrid car when its new city SUV goes on sale in Australia early next year.

Lexus dealers in Australia have been advised to expect a starting price below $50,000 when deliveries commence in the first few months of next year, pending any delays.

Lexus has not had a hybrid vehicle in its local line-up in this price bracket since the Lexus CT200h – based on the Toyota Corolla hatch – was discontinued in Australia in 2021 (when its RRP ranged from $41,750 to $58,500).

The current cheapest model in the Lexus line-up is the non-hybrid UX200 starting from $46,085; the cheapest hybrid currently is the Lexus UX250h from $53,820.

The new Lexus LBX will be the smallest car to wear a Lexus badge, and is the company’s first city SUV.

Although it is based on the highly regarded Toyota Yaris Cross, it has completely unique bodywork, a more upmarket interior, extra technology features, and enhanced refinement.

The Lexus LBX is powered by a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol hybrid engine – as with the Toyota Yaris Cross.

However Lexus has added extra hardware to improve refinement and reduce noise and vibrations, as well as other technology changes that go beyond the badge and the bodywork.

Given the extra luxury and technology features, the Lexus LBX is expected to be dearer than the Toyota Yaris Cross, which currently ranges from $28,000 to $38,000. 

Lexus dealers have been advised to expect the price of the Lexus LBX to start somewhere in the $40,000 to $50,000 price range.

However Lexus Australia is yet to publicly announce pricing.