Behind the wheel of Lexus’ new compact and very attractive LBX SUV today – I
drove the LBX Sports Luxury all-wheel drive at $56,990 combining a 1.5-litre
three-cylinder petrol engine paired with dual electric motors with a combined
output of 100kW driving through a continuously variable transmission. The all-
wheel-drive combination knocks the weight up to 1415kgs. A classy small SUV
which Lexus Australia Chief John Pappas says, breaks new ground for Lexus and
is proof luxury is not dictated by vehicle size. It is however tight in the rear, best
viewed as a personalised compact luxury two-seater. It’s no fire breather in this
heavier all-wheel drive Sports Luxury variant however with parent company
Toyota’s enormous success with hybrid technology it offers a very satisfying and
practical hybrid performance with frugal economy – I managed a best of 4.6L/100
with 91 grade petrol in mainly city driving. Few gripes, I don’t like Lexus interior
door latches, their awkward at best and disappointingly there’s no aircon vents in
the rear. But the Lexus LBX really is a classy compact SUV, as I said earlier
perfect for the lady in the house with five-year/unlimited km warranty and battery
warranty up to 10 years with annual hybrid dealer checks. I’m David Berthon

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Driving the small Lexus LBX SUV today, an attractive small hybrid luxury five
door SUV – three variants, the LBX Luxury front wheel drive at $47,550 and the
LBX Sports Luxury, both front and all-wheel-drive, priced at $52,990 and $56,990
respectively. The Lexus LBX a compact luxury cross-over SUV, a personalized
compact SUV that’s rather tight in the rear, but with emphasis on luxury and
finishes that Toyota’s luxury brand always does well and it stands out on the road
especially in the sonic copper colour as per the TV commercial. I drove the
Sports Luxury AWD with 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine paired with dual
electric motors, a fuel sipping assembly with a combined output of 100kW driving
through a CVT transmission. The interior with pseudo leather and suede
accentuated trim looks classy, the dash with a well-designed and functional
touch screen. Nice front seat comfort with roomy, comfortable eight-way power
seats not so in the rear which is best for kids. The Lexus LBX best perhaps as a
classy compact luxury SUV for the lady in the house. No spare wheel just a tyre
repair kit but it’s got all the active and passive safety gear and a 360-degree
camera. Drive details next. I’m David Berthon

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Electric vehicle sales may be currently on the wane however hybrid vehicle sales are enjoying boom conditions with 129,895 national sales in the first nine months, an increase of 87 percent on the same time last year. Petrol electric hybrid vehicles are clearly far more popular than plug-in hybrids which achieved 15,546 sales in the same period. Toyota which accounts for around 20 per cent of the total new vehicle market has had enormous success with its petrol/electric hybrid models which now represent around half its sales. Its RAV4 hybrid our top selling hybrid vehicle with 40,754 deliveries in the first nine months. Apart from the RAV4, Toyota now has five top selling petrol electric hybrids in Corolla, Camry, Kluger, Corolla Cross and Yaris Cross suggesting it has chosen the right sales strategy going forward. I’m David Berthon

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A recent study by Compare the Market of 12 insurers have found the top five
best-selling electric vehicles are 43 per cent more expensive to insure over
similar sized combustion engine models. The comparison site found that many
EV motorists were paying higher premiums which obviously offset their benefits
of lower running costs. Hybrid vehicles have also been found to carry a premium
compared to their petrol-only equivalents. Taking the top five best-selling EV’s
and 12 car insurance providers you could be paying between $98 and $1,788
more to insure your electric car. Electric vehicles are generally more expensive to
insure due to the battery pack which creates more complexity for repairers – in
some cases the battery pack frame is a structural member of the car making it
more than likely the insurer will right the car off. I’m David Berthon

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Driving Alfa Romeo stylish Tonale SUV – the Italian performance brand’s first small SUV. Two front wheel drive petrol mild hybrids, Ti and Veloce – I drove the highly equipped and sportier Veloce at $57,900, a sharply priced compact performance skewed SUV on larger 19-inch allow wheels. Alfa pairing a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine with mild hybrid assistance driving through a seven-speed dual clutch automatic. The Veloce also gaining an electronic adaptive suspension. After years of driving sporty Alfa cars how does the Tonale perform in a small SUV – Alfa’s hybrid system is unique in that it can drive the wheels up to 40km/hour. There’s three designated DNA drive modes - best in the D for Dynamic mode where it’s very lively but in the N or Natural mode and A for Advanced Efficiency mode the transition between hybrid and petrol power at times confuses the dual /clutch automatic – and creates a performance lag. Ride is on the firm side while steering is as good as it gets. Economy, 7L/100km on 95 RON petrol despite some fast open road touring. The Alfa Romeo Tonale Veloce won’t appeal to everyone wanting a small premium SUV but it has a certain appeal, my wife actually fell in love with it. I’m David Berthon

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Driving Alfa Romeo’s first small SUV today – the stylish Tonale now Alfa Romeo’s biggest seller. The Italian performance brand celebrating its 115th year has struggled here in recent years, but its first compact SUV has a chance to lift the brands profile, prices starting at a rather sharp $49,990 for the Ti model. Step up to the Tonale Veloce and its still very competitive at $57,900 – both models feature a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine paired with mild hybrid assistance driving the front wheels via a seven-speed dual clutch automatic. I tested the better equipped Veloce which gains larger 19-inch wheels, adaptive electronic suspension, Alcantara and faux leather trim and a swag of active safety systems including rear cross traffic alert, and a welcome 360-degree parking camera. The interior best described as cosy and functional with elements of Alfa Romeo sporty character evident in the instrumentation cluster, the Tonale more skewed as a personal urban SUV rather than a small family carrier with rear space tight – seating configured for four adults rather than five. Warranty: five years/unlimited kilometre. The Tonale a premium compact SUV sharply priced, appealingly different and well equipped but how does it drive – details next segment. I’m David Berthon

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In recent months we’ve seen a number of Chinese electric car imports discount their products. The arrival of more Chinese brands in the next six months is behind the move as the competition intensifies. With the car market already subdued due to cost-of-living pressures and with electric car sales currently on a slide the discounts are set to continue putting pressure on the established competition. Spanish brand Cupra, which arrived on the market here in 2022 with non-negotiable pricing, has indicated it won’t be following the discounting trend with its small Born electric hatch suggesting it is worthy of a price premium – this despite the fact that after getting off with a flying start Cupra sales have slowed, down by 36 per cent against the same time last year – the small Cupra Born showing the biggest decline, down by 43 percent. I’m David Berthon

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Go back several years and electric cars looked to have a big future with a strong surge of early adopters. And it was the same the world over. But this year sales have plateaued leaving many industry pundits pondering as to why. In February, the NRMA conducted an on-line survey with some 2079 motorists about their car buying habits, with a particular focus on EVs. They found that EVs have an image problem which in the eyes of new car buyers makes them seem inferior to internal combustion engined and hybrid vehicles, many are not convinced they’re the most environmentally friendly choice with 68 per cent also believing petrol and diesel vehicles easier to sell. Also found, while EV’s narrow the cost gap in terms of running expenses only 30 per cent of respondents believed they are the most economical option. I’m David Berthon.

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