Since Toyota first announced the new Yaris Cross series in 2020, Lexus has also announced that it will develop a new entry-level crossover SUV based on the Yaris Cross series to replace the ENTRY POSITIONING OF THE CT 200h brand car series, and registered a new LBX car name in August 2020.
Although Lexus has not yet confirmed the possibility of launching a new entry-level crossover SUV product, according to the latest Japanese media reports, Lexus will be expected to launch a more entry-level SUV product than the current UX series in 2023, to replace the CT 200h series that will be discontinued in the Japanese market in October 2022, and is expected to adopt a new LBX model name.
In terms of model configuration, the new Lexus entry-level crossover SUV is expected to be built with the same TNGA-B modular chassis architecture as the Yaris Cross series, while the outline of the power configuration is not yet clear, it is confirmed that the new SUV will have a choice of petro-electric power, but whether it will use the same 1.5-liter petro-electric hybrid as the Yaris Cross series, or replace it with a new generation of 1.8-liter petro-electric powertrain, which is first seen in the new generation Noah/Voxy series , there is no clearer message.
In terms of design, Japanese media said that Lexus' new entry-level crossover SUV may be more inclined to the Toyota brand's Keen Look design features in the front design style, rather than the Lexus brand's current existing spindle-type water tank grille design, in order to create a more distinctive appearance configuration of the model, and the interior will adopt the "Tazuna (Japanese reins)" design concept from the new generation of NX series, and the new car will be expected to be compatible with the current Japanese standard Yaris and Yaris Cross and other vehicles use the same factory production line.