Lexus LBX vs MG Mgs6 Ev

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?

BYD, Chery, GWM and MG - one of these Chinese car brands is not like the others.

While the first three all enjoyed major growth in 2025, MG had a year to forget. A flood of new models, rushed into the market with little or no fanfare, resulted in a nearly 20 per cent sales decline, when the brand should have been basking in the same growth as its rivals.

So, the old management has been swept away and MG Australia is attacking 2026 with a fresh outlook and a renewed purpose, fully aware that launching an affordable car and hoping the buyers come is not a sound strategy.

Which is why the brand is making a far more concerted effort with this all-new MGS6 (all one word, likely to avoid copyright issues with Audi). It’s an important model to get right, too, as the electric mid-size SUV is becoming an increasingly popular choice for Australian buyers, as witnessed by the success of the BYD Sealion 7 and Tesla Model Y.

But with those two, plus many more mid-size EV SUVs, including the Kia EV5, GAC Aion V, Geely EX5 and Zeekr 7X (to name a few), to compete with, MG will need to put its best foot forward to give the MGS6 its best chance of success.

This one model alone won’t determine the fortunes of MG in the final reckoning of the year, but if MG wants to turn around its sales numbers and enjoy the same growth as its Chinese rivals, having the MGS6 succeed would be an important step.