Branded genes

If Akio Toyoda, the former CEO of Toyota, were to pen his autobiography, ‘Go Your Own Way’ would be a fitting title. No, not as a nod to his love for Fleetwood Mac (although that can’t be ruled out), but because Toyoda oversaw the development of some truly innovative cars.

Take the new LBX, for example. It was conceived when Toyoda decided that he wanted a Lexus version of Toyota’s Yaris Cross small SUV to drive around Tokyo. In an automotive world increasingly dominated by big, expensive machines, you have to admit that the idea of something compact and frugal that’s also luxurious is appealing.

But how do you turn a Yaris Cross into a Lexus? Well, there’s more to the LBX than a simple change of clothes. Under its bonnet, there’s still a 1.5-litre petrol engine and an electric motor, but total power is up from 114bhp to 134bhp. Extra sound deadening has been added, the front and rear wheels are farther apart to increase passenger space, there’s new rear suspension in an effort to improve ride comfort, and the LBX’s interior is much smarter than the Yaris’s.

But is this new model really a better buy than the car that, in effect, pioneered the concept of a desirable, efficient, compact hybrid SUV: the Toyota C-HR? Launched in 2017, the first-generation C-HR – with its distinctive, coupé-inspired styling – proved massively popular, with a third of a million snapped up around the world each year. Plus, it helped Toyota to loosen its strait-laced image as part of a strategy devised by – yes, you guessed it – one Mr Toyoda.

So, for this second-generation C-HR, Toyota has concentrated on delivering more of what made the original stand out: dramatic looks and hybrid efficiency. Later in 2024, there will be a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version that’s capable of covering a typical commute purely on electric power. However, for now, you can choose from two regular hybrids that have shorter electric ranges but never need to be plugged in: a 138bhp