Was helping a friend to look at Lexus RX in the showroom but stumbled upon the mid sized NX instead. Exterior is a older designed front, where designers in Lexus are ditching the large mouth look for a more calm look that appears in LBX and perhaps later to NX and others. Interior is also redesigned with consistency in mind that all models comes with the large screen display, separated to the usual speedometers. This design is more practical to a certain extent especially in the hot weather of our country. Many safety features are consistently equipped in Lexus across all models which is good and will have no variation when consumers come to safety gadets in mind. Also, the new door handles appearing is a good one over the conventional pull out door. Instead is a push in effect and comes with safety exit feature too, whereby when you intend to exit, any objects by yoru way will prevent you from doing so. GOOD ONE Lexus. The drive off is a smooth one but if you accidentally throttle hard, its kind of loud. Driving is ok except that overtaking can be shortfall, perhaps with turbo is better. Hybrids are meant for long cruising than of dashing purposes. Overall, its good to consider besides its a 2.5L that can be thirsty on fuel and road tax.

Went by showroom to see the LBX since after MotorShow 2024. First looks, its a compact SUV of 5 seaters comes with new exterior design. Comes in 2 variant, Elegant and Cool of a small top up option. Between the 2 variants, COOL comes with HUD and some other more features which the top up amount is certainly worth it. Interior, a nice flushed in design, compared to the other models of a large screen (though also partially flushed in but jutted out), at least the speedometer is built in like VW and Skoda virtual cockpit than BMW and Mercedes panaromic glass screen standing. Consistency among all models, it comes with electric seats, electric steering controls, auto hold, electric tailgate, It will be great if there is a sun or moon roof option. Comes with the usual gadgets BUT their safety features are the same across all Lexus models, like the mentioned below...Which is a good consistency that other makes should follow suit. Pre-Collision System Road Sign Assist Rear Crossing Traffic Alert Parking Support Brake Lane Departure Alert Blind Sport Alert Safe Exit Assist Park Assist Sensor I must say the SAFE EXIT ASSIST is a good to have, when you parked and off engine, wanting to exit your vehicle, should there be any incoming object or person, this will alert you. Also, their new door handle uses double push in than the conventional lever pull out which has been around for decades, a certainly good design too. Driving off is a pleasure as its a small SUV, compared to its larger siblings from NX onwards. A new way of gear shift, propritary to Lexus as tried, is a new way to get used to it along the way shoud you own any of Lexus series. On the roads, tend to be a little noisy, due to its a 3 cylinder engine and when revved high to overtake, its even noisier and kind of draggy to a certain extent, same in SPORTS mode. Hybrid uses both petrol and battery to power this car is good for long drives and unlike with turbo, its not for dashing use. Handling is a breeze as its a compact SUV than its other siblings. Parking is simple as comes with full body sensors with the guards of parking brake assist, making it so easy to use this feature and park. Overall, its a nimble compact SUV to have for its many safety features without any shortage despite a smaller model.

Had the privilege of test driving the Aion Y Plus Electric on its launch day. Approached the car with a lot of doubt looking at its humble figures and providence but was looking to experience the rival to the surprising popular atto3(which i find to be a poorly thought out car) But boy did I eat humble pie. The car firstly is lavishly equipped with not only the usual big screens and technologies one would expect from the premium German and American electric model but does not have any obvious scratchy plastics and I was greeted with bright colors and soft touch materials. (In fact I believe its the only car in its class which offers dual tone interior colors as standard - similar to an rolls). The rear legroom in particular was what left me stunned. As a 1.84m, i could cross my legs with ease and had ample headroom even with the front seat set to my preferred driving position and the front seats can be folded down to turn the whole car into a personal lounge. As an avid driving enthusiast who is a person who swears by internal combustion and somewhat of a brand snob. I was massively impressed by its suspension tuning during my short test drive where it handled bumps and undulations with ease and stayed compliant during fast bends. The car also has adjustable steering from near weightlessness to go-kart miata like stiffness which gives you confidence to throw it around the corners or just effortlessness in going from A to B. The suspension may not be a key factor for many Singaporeans who are generally brand conscious but having driven many cars, this has the ride comparable to cars from the 3 pointed star. Power wise the figures don't suggest much but no ICE can hold a candle to the responsiveness and would beat most cars to the next stop light and is plenty enough for Singapore. For downsides to the car, it would be its looks but they have been slowly growing on me the past week similar to how I hate most BMW designs initially but would grow to like it after 3 months( exception for the first 2 series active tourer). The launch price makes this car too tempting an offer which I may have to pull the trigger on….