Lexus LBX Morizo RR
The powertrain is inherited from the GR Yaris
The sporty exterior features a special front grille, aero bumper, and 19-inch forged wheels. With the exception of black body colors, the standard color is a two-tone color with a black roof.
The regular LBX was surprisingly good!? So I had high hopes for the Morizo RR. Simply put, it’s a high-performance version of the LBX, and the powertrain is a transplant of the GR Yaris’ 1.6-liter inline 3-cylinder turbo + electronically controlled AWD. I was previously very impressed with the perfection of the GR Yaris, so if it combines the best of both cars, it’s bound to be fun! So, I was looking forward to it. And now, the actual car is finally in front of me. So, what will it be like?
The LBX is a compact SUV that debuted in 2023 as the “smallest Lexus ever.” The concept is “high-quality sneakers,” and with the smooth ride and just the right amount of power performance, high quietness, and comfortable interior, I personally felt it offered new possibilities for the “small luxury car” that has appeared and disappeared so many times before. What’s more, master driver Akio Toyoda, also known as “Morizo,” has worked with racing drivers to refine the car’s performance, so it’s hard not to be excited.
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[1] The front seats are exclusive to the Morizo RR, with more bulging shoulders. Leather is standard, and the stitching is also red. They provide an excellent hold that is neither too dull nor too tight. [2] The center console is home to the iMT automatic shifting function and the AWD mode switch, which fixes the front/rear torque distribution to 50:50. [3] The suede-like interior is also available in the standard LBX, but the Morizo RR has red stitching to create a sporty look.
The appearance is modest. To accommodate the increased performance, the car is fitted with a special bumper and grille with large openings to improve cooling and aerodynamic performance, but there are no flashy designs like overfenders or huge spoilers. The overall width has been increased by 15mm to accommodate the fender moldings, and the vehicle height has been lowered by 10mm.
However, the inside has been significantly altered, especially the body. The spot welding pitch has been shortened, with 469 new spots added. Furthermore, the area where structural adhesive is used has been extended by 12.8m. Furthermore, the steel plates have been made thicker, and reinforcing braces have been added, and the list of improvements is endless.
The suspension also features the world’s first “Response Enhancement Damping Structure (REDS).” This uses a thermosetting resin applied to the front lower arm, which damps vibrations while suppressing arm deformation. This is said to improve steering response and texture.
The engine also has a unique character.
The engine specs are the same as those of the GR Yaris, but Lexus has tuned it to provide smoother, more comfortable acceleration. An 8-speed automatic transmission is also available.
This gives the body a very strong sense of rigidity. The way the car damps itself with every input from the road is just like a German car. Meanwhile, the suspension is relatively soft for a sports model. It’s not stiff and stiff enough to instantly gain power when you turn the wheel, but rather requires a firm foot movement to ensure solid contact with the ground. While the amount of roll is considerable, the lean speed is appropriate, so even quick turns don’t cause the car to tilt too much and feel unnerving. It’s more like a French sports car. The
1.6-liter inline-3 turbo is ultra-powerful, delivering 304 PS at 6500 rpm and 400 Nm between 3250 and 4600 rpm. What’s interesting is that it doesn’t have the same kind of modern-day torque and power buildup from low rpm, but rather a distinctly sweet band. Boost kicks in around 2000 rpm, and acceleration explodes above 3000 rpm. The throttle response improves dramatically from 4000 rpm. If you keep this position, you can freely control the direction of the car with subtle movements of your right foot while cornering.
There is nothing to be concerned about
The 6-speed manual transmission is also impeccable. The accelerator pedal has been changed from the suspended type in the GR Yaris to an organ type, making heel-and-toe maneuvers perfect. The height of the brake pedal, the reaction force of the accelerator when you press it with your heel, and the ease of control when releasing the brakes all make you think, “Wow, they really know what they’re doing,” and you can’t help but smile as you drive.
The tread is 10mm wider at the front and 15mm wider at the rear compared to the standard. The test car was equipped with Continental tires, unusual for a Lexus. The brand was SportContact 7.
Judging from the indicator, the front and rear torque distribution of the AWD is biased towards the front when starting, but after that it seems to run almost 50:50. The front and rear differentials are equipped with Torsen LSDs, so there was no unstable behavior when driving comfortably on winding roads.
This car is designed to prioritize quality and comfort over absolute speed. Anyone who drives it will be able to fully sense this. In BMW terms, it’s not an M, it’s an Alpina. Perhaps this is why it’s not named “LBX F.”
REPORT / Naohide Ichihara
PHOTO / Daijiro Kori
MAGAZINE / GENROQ April 2025 issue
SPECIFICATIONS
Lexus LBX Morizo RR
Body size: Total length 4190mm, total width 1840mm, total height 1535mm
Wheelbase: 2580mm
Vehicle weight: 1440kg
Engine: Inline 3-cylinder DOHC turbo
Total displacement: 1618cc
Maximum output: 224kW (304PS) / 6500rpm
Maximum torque: 400Nm (40.8kgm) / 3250-4600rpm
Transmission: 6-speed MT
Drive system: AWD
Suspension type: Front strut, rear double wishbone
Brakes: Front and rear ventilated disc
Tire size: Front and rear 235/45R19
Top speed: 180km/h *Limiter activated
0-100km/h acceleration: 5.2 seconds
Vehicle price: 6.5 million yen
[Inquiries]
Lexus Information Desk
TEL 0800-500-5577
https://www.lexus.jp
