Lexus LBX Morizo RR

First made a worldwide premiere at the 2024 Tokyo Auto Salon, the Lexus LBX Morizo RR is now a living thing, and with prices starting at 6.5 million Japanese Yen plus additional costs, you can now have an LBX that is as good as a Toyota GR Yaris but with extra doors for your buddies.

2025 Lexus LBX Morizo RR

The first-ever Lexus LBX Morizo RR is the result of what happens when a regular Lexus baby crossover watches too much shonen anime content and goes over 9000 if you know what I'm saying. Metaphors aside, the naming is proof that this hi-performance compact is the handwork of Morizo, former Toyota boss Akio Toyoda's nickname.

2025 Lexus LBX Morizo RR

2025 Lexus LBX Morizo RR interior

Although it looks and feels just like a normal LBX, the sporty aerodynamics and the sports seats up front are proof that this is no ordinary LBX. This is basically a glorified Toyota GR Yaris with two extra doors for everybody. Want to know the kicker? A random 100 customers will have a chance to personalize their own interiors courtesy of the Bespoke Build variant with eight seat colors, three seatbelt colors, and three stitching offered for its 100 randomly chosen potential customers. Yes. Randomly chosen because of the lottery system implemented just like the Toyota GR Corolla a while back.

Powering the LBX Morizo RR is the same G16E-GTS 1.6L 3-cylinder intercooler turbo engine that powers the recently facelifted GR Yaris, producing 304PS power output and 400Nm of torque. In addition to the 8-speed Direct Automatic Transmission, which debuted on the GR Yaris minor change, the LBX Morizo RR is the first Lexus to be mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. Yes. The first-ever Lexus with a stick shift. How about that? Don't say anything.

Being pleased about the Lexus-first manual gearbox implemented on this crossover, the LBX Morizo RR accommodates its electronically controlled full-time AWD driveline with the suspension layout of the AWD version of the base LBX, which is MacPherson struts in front and a double wishbone arrangement at the rear. Thanks to the dynamics inherited from the facelifted Toyota GR Yaris, the Lexus LBX Morizo RR is well-prepared to tear through asphalt or dirt if you're into that.

At long last, there is now a Lexus that is worth addictive to drive in GR Yaris-sized chunks, and with the Lexus-first manual gearbox, the Lexus LBX Morizo RR is too awesome to be missed. This is your newest JDM favorite.

Available Colors: White Nova Glass Flake & Black, Heat Blue Contrast Layering & Black, Red Spinel & Black, Sonic Chrome & Black, and Graphite Black Glass Flake.

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation