The Lexus LBX has received its first major European honours, being named the Car of the Year and Small SUV of the Year 2024 by the leading automotive magazine What Car? Announced at a presentation ceremony in London on January 18th, the prestigious awards herald the arrival of a model that is expected to be a game-changer for Lexus, taking it into new market territory in Europe with the potential to accelerate sales and attract many customers new to the brand. Lexus also maintained its complete dominance in the Reliability Award, collecting the honour for an unmatched seventh consecutive year. Steve Huntingford, editor of the UK-based What Car?, said: “The What Car? Car of the Year title is reserved for the model which has moved things on farthest in the past 12 months, and this year that is the Lexus LBX. Despite competing in the hugely competitive small SUV market, it’s a better all-rounder than every rival, not least because it is the first car in the class to combine hybrid efficiency with big-car luxury. And at a time when prices seem to be going through the roof, it offers these strengths for an amazingly tempting price.”