Expatma

That's exactly what my wife said along with poor support for her legs. I also found the drivers seat okay but of course the driver sits differently because of pedal position etc.

How are owners finding front passenger seat comfort? Initial short test drive in Premium Plus my wife complained the Seat squab was too short to support her legs adequately. Thinking we need a longer drive when she could experiment with various Seat positions but would welcome existing owners who will have driven for longer what they, and their passengers, thoughts are on passenger seat comfort.

I was pleased when I heard that Lexus were introducing a small but luxurious crossover/SUV. Contacted Lexus and they brought a Premium Plus to my house for us to try, initial impressions were that it was a handsome vehicle with a great road presence. However, I was surprised how low the seats were, not much higher than a small hatchback and much lower than the Yaris Cross architecture on which it is based. The main reasons buyers state for preferring Crossovers/SUV's is the elevated driving position but Lexus have chosen to totally ignore that and instead have designed the LBX as a slightly higher hatchback. I can't help but think Lexus have made a big mistake as they have targeted the LBX at the affluent young and buyers looking to retain the advantages of larger SUV's in a much smaller vehicle. Both of these buying groups prefer higher riding and seating cars. So why did Lexus go low?

The ten year warranty is attractive but I rarely keep a car more than 5-6 years and an extra warranty is often available when you buy the car. To be honest generally modern cars are very reliable and I can't remember when I last had a warranty claim.

I am in a similar position after test driving the LBX, a beautiful car, but my wife found the passenger seat to be so uncomfortable we are forced to look elsewhere. Yaris Cross felt a poor relation after the LBX (though maybe the new Premiere Edition might be better). Mazda CX-30 felt gutless and I missed the power of a turbo at lower revs, had to really rev the Mazda to get it to go! Not a fan of the CH-R looks, felt I should be 30 years younger to admire it!!!! Now booked a test drive in a 1.5 litre VW T-Roc tomorrow, a quick sit in a neighbours entry level T-Roc proved the seats were okayish so hoping the top models leather seats are better. Mini Countryman and Volvo 40 are really much bigger than we need, how can they still call it a Mini when it’s nearly 4.4 metres long? Any other ideas welcomed.

You are right to test drive both. I doubt the Toyota will have the “quality” feel of the Lexus but should still be good. The increased ride height and narrower body might well be the clincher for many. Coming from a Skoda Yeti I really felt that the LBX was low with less visibility than I’m used to, not a deal breaker but concerning nevertheless. Still going to take an extended road test but now looking at alternatives as well. Finally seat comfort was so so, though I think that maybe because in a lower car your legs are straighter rather than more naturally “bent” as in a higher seating position SUV. My passenger remarked on that aspect particularly.

Well, I test drove a Premium Plus LBX on Tuesday. Initial impressions were that it looks better in the metal than any photographs and is beautifully finished and assembled from top quality materials. Interior is lovely and everything - switches etc. - have a solid, quality feel and cabin is just a nice place to be. It drives nicely, firm but compliant suspension and performance was perfectly adequate if not scintillating, handled well and generally integration of engine and electric motor was seamless, at above crawling speed I couldn’t tell when the engine had cut in. On hard acceleration there was some engine noise but certainly no more than from a normal petrol car and as soon as I eased off the hard acceleration the noise all but disappeared. A very nice car.......BUT to be completely honest it really was nothing extra special, you sit quite low in the car, barely higher than a standard hatchback, there is not a lot of room around you in the front and less in the back and I am only 5’ 7” and my wife shorter. The road refinement was disappointing to me, more road roar and wind noise than I expected, not terribly excessive but significantly more than in a VW T-Roc for example. I enjoyed driving the LBX and it does give you that hint of luxury which I don’t think any equivalent competitor can approach - the T-Roc seems low rent compared to it - it just wasn’t as special as I hoped. Did the test drive put me off? No, but I have arranged a much longer test drive to really see how it feels over longer distances and in urban and rural driving.

I know but wonder why not when Lexus are clearly targeting a new customer base who want the simple things!

Some things are just very useful - hooks to hang shopping from are one of them to prevent everything tumbling around the boot or having to wedge items to keep the shopping bags upright. The adjustable boot floor is great for sliding things in and not having to lift items from deep in boot recess. A simple “floor panel" that can be set level with the boot opening but dropped to the bottom floor of the boot just makes life easier. Neither of these are complex but just make life easier for users.

The thing I don’t get on what is a “premium” vehicle is no hooks in the boot for hanging shopping bags from and no height adjustable boot floor so it can be completely flat with no lip or set low to maximise boot space. These are really low cost additions and competitors, including VW etc., have both. Why?

Only worry I have is remembering my father's advice to never buy a car in it's first year of manufacture. He was in the motor trade and felt that it needed a years production to iron out problems and idiosynchranies reported by early adopters. Don't know whether that applies in 2024!

Does anyone know if it’s normal for comparison websites and insurers to be so slow to add new cars to their quotation systems? Or is it just the likes of Lexus that insurers are so reticent to quote for? I have previously bought cars in their 2nd or 3rd year of production and never had a problem getting dozens of competing insurance offers.

Interesting, I am test driving Premium Plus on Tuesday so will give my views afterwards.

Yes, I am interested in road /wind noise (refinement) as well.

That's strange, when I checked they listed the range! Maybe worth a telephone call to Admiral to check?