Lexus LBX vs Honda Civic

What's the difference?

If you’re after a small performance-focused hatch or small SUV, there’s no shortage of solid offerings from semi-premium and premium brands like Audi, BMW, Cupra, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen and more.

Another high-end brand dipping its toes in the segment is Lexus. Yes, Lexus. The Japanese luxury brand that’s famous for reliable and comfortable cars like the ES and RX.

It might be surprising that Lexus could build something like the LBX Morizo RR, but let’s not forget the many go-fast models in its back catalogue - the LFA supercar, the LC coupe and drop-top, IS F and GS F sedans and the RC F coupe.

At the urging of famed Toyota Motor Corporation (Lexus’ parent company) Chairman Akio Toyoda, Lexus has birthed a firecracker based on its humble, yet fun, LBX small SUV.

Akio has had a hand in developing the Morizo RR as well. Hence the name. Akio is head road tester for the carmaking giant, and a seasoned racer in his spare time. He uses the ‘Morizo’ alias when racing. The ‘RR’ stands for ‘rookie racer’. 

Using the same powertrain found in Toyota’s GR Yaris and Corolla hot hatch cousins, the LBX has a lot of promise. But has Lexus done enough to bother those largely European rivals?

I’m just going to cut to the chase here. This Honda Civic hybrid is a good car. A great one, even.

But for some reason, nobody is really buying it. And it’s not just because it’s not an SUV – it has been outsold in its segment this year by the the BMW 1 Series, the Mercedes A-Class, the MG4 EV, and the VW Golf. Premium and non-premium alike, they’ve all got the little Honda licked.

So, what’s going on? A CarsGuide investigation is required. Stick around and we’ll try to figure this out together.