Lexus Malaysia has discontinued the Lexus UX, currently the brand’s entry point. Checks with a Lexus dealer also revealed that there is no more stock of UX.

The Lexus UX was first launched in Malaysia in February 2020. Until today, it remains the most comfortable compact luxury SUV we’ve driven. It’s also more engaging to drive than an equivalent Mercedes-Benz GLA or BMW X1.

Unfortunately, buyers cannot overlook the fact that the Lexus UX is powered by a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine, unlike its German rivals, which feature turbocharged engines.

The Lexus UX was last sold at RM 250,688 for the Urban variant, and RM 290,688 for the Luxury variant.

The void left by the UX will be filled by the upcoming Lexus LBX. Lexus Malaysia has yet to make an announcement on the LBX, but the model is listed on its website, under the ‘Future Cars’ section.

Although the LBX is one size smaller than the UX, Malaysia’s relatively small car market is not enough to sustain both the UX and LBX. Between the two, obviously the lower priced LBX has a much higher volume potential, which makes it a better fit than the UX as an entry point into the Lexus family.

Prices have yet to be confirmed, but in the UK, the LBX has an estimated starting price of under 30,000 GBP, which is 14 percent lower than the UX.

Assuming that the same price gap can be applied here, Malaysian buyers can expect a starting price of circa RM 220k.

For comparison, a Mercedes-Benz GLA starts at RM 258,888, while the BMW X1 starts at RM 265,700. However this is just a reference, because the Lexus LBX sits one segment lower, riding on the TNGA-B platform.

Globally, only one engine is offered – a 1.5-litre 3-cylinder two-motor full-hybrid (M15A-FXE) making 136 PS / 185 Nm, paired to an E-CVT driving the front wheels. Claimed fuel consumption is 4.4-litre/100 km.

The hybrid battery is a new generation bi-polar NiMh pack, first seen in the Japanese market Toyota Aqua (new generation Prius c). Do not assume that it is a lower-end tech just because it retains nickel-metal hydride chemistry.

NiMh batteries are more durable than Li-ion ones, coping better with high ambient temperatures (a crucial factor for Malaysia). Just ask the many Grab / taxi drivers in Singapore using Toyota hybrids, or the Malaysian owners of decade old Toyota Priuses.

Given the reliability of NiMh batteries, Toyota being Toyota, is not ready to throw out a technology of proven reliability. Instead, they worked to solve the only downside of NiMh batteries, resulting in the Toyota-patented bi-polar design, which doubles power output by doubling the path of current flow.

If the Lexus LBX is launched in Malaysia under RM 250k, it presents a remarkably good value for money proposition. Unlike its locally assembled peers, this is a genuine made-in-Japan product, put together by expert Takumi craftsmen – artisans whose senses are refined to almost superhuman levels – minimum 30 years of experience.

Every Lexus is put together by Takumis who must start their day by folding an origami cat using in under 90 seconds, using only their non-dominant hand, as a text of dexterity and ultra-fine control; Takumi’s at the paint shop have fingers that can detect milimetre-level imperfection on bodywork, engines are quality sealed by Takumis with ears that pick out imperfections in engine sounds; every Lexus that leaves the factory must be approved by test drivers who passed 2,000 laps of training, over 200 hours.

The fact that the LBX is the only other Lexus model (apart from LFA) to use a three-letter name should not be glossed over. Only Lexus models of very high distinction are allowed to use a three-letter name.

While the LFA is about performance, the LBX represents Lexus’ firm believe that it is still possible to build high quality, comfortable, user-friendly cars small cars.

The automotive industry is facing very intense cost pressure. Few manufacturers are paying as much attention to small cars, which earn less profit, money that manufacturers desperately need if they want to fund the development of next generation electric vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz for example, has trimmed down its compact cars range to focus on larger cars.

Also read: Mercedes-Benz confirms plan to cut down entry models, will the A-Class Sedan survive?

Prospective buyers would be interested to know that Chairman Akio Toyoda’s personal car is a Lexus LBX. Of course, he still has his chauffeur-driven Toyota Alphard, Century GRMN and Century SUV that he uses for his business, but the car he drives himself is a Lexus LBX.

“This LBX is a kind of casual luxury. The car is as comfortable as my sneakers. People think big is luxury and small is economical, but that’s not true,” said Akio Toyoda, explaining that smaller cars are just more fun to drive.

There is one major difference though. His LBX Morizo RR Concept is a prototype that is powered by a GR Yaris’ 1.6-litre G16E-GTS turbocharged engine (304 PS / 400 Nm), paired to an 8-speed Direct Shift automatic transmission – it’s Akio Toyoda’s perfect daily car. Make enough noise and maybe, just maybe, he may greenlight it for production.