Lexus by no means wanted to make the LBX Morizo RR. Certainly, it’s surprising that the Japanese model developed it in any respect. As commonplace, the LBX is a trendy, compact crossover with loads of enchantment, which sadly isn’t offered in the US.
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Then Toyota president Akio Toyoda determined to have some enjoyable, slotting the GR Yaris and GR Corolla’s operating gear beneath the LBX’s bodywork to create the Morizo RR. And in case you’re questioning concerning the title, it’s taken from his private racing alias, “Morizo,” which he makes use of when testing vehicles anonymously on monitor.
It was first offered as an idea early final yr, although we didn’t maintain out a lot hope it will truly make it to manufacturing. However by mid-year, a lot to our shock, Lexus confirmed it was going forward. In Australia, it arrived with a splash.
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Shortly after asserting the high-powered crossover, Lexus Australia revealed that the primary yr’s manufacturing run had been offered out. With loads of seat time within the GR Yaris and GR Corolla in latest months, we had been desirous to see what all of the fuss is about. Is the Morizo RR a GR Yaris in a flowery go well with? Let’s discover out.
What Makes It Particular?
Photographs Brad Anderson/Carscoops
Visually, the LBX Morizo RR appears to be like barely extra aggressive than a regular mannequin, however it’s positively much less flamboyant than a GR Yaris or GR Corolla. It doesn’t have the identical big hips as these rally-bred machines, nevertheless it nonetheless appears to be like nice on the street, thanks largely to the 19-inch cast aluminum wheels.
In Japan, the LBX Morizo RR has the identical 1.6-liter turbocharged three-cylinder because the GR Yaris and GR Corolla, delivering an similar 224 kW (300 hp) and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) of torque.
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Nonetheless, the Aussie-spec mannequin has a petroleum particulate filter to make it Euro 6c compliant, that means grunt has been lowered to 206 kW (276 hp) and 390 Nm (287 lb-ft). That’s a disgrace, however as we found, it’s not likely noticeable. An 8-speed automated is commonplace, as is the acquainted GR-4 all-wheel drive system.
Given the LBX Morizo RR has a Lexus badge, it ought to come as no shock that it’s pricier than its Toyota siblings. Native costs begin at AU$83,863 ($55,810), together with all on-road charges. By comparability, the 2025 GR Corolla with the accessible eight-speed automated transmission is offered from AU$76,456 ($50,881).
No Toyota Inside
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Photographs Brad Anderson/Carscoops
The inside of the flagship LBX feels considerably extra premium than the cabin of the GR Yaris and GR Corolla. Whereas the cabins of these two fashions really feel outdated and are trimmed in a great deal of low cost plastic, the Morizo RR feels extra trendy and refined. With that being stated, it’s actually not as premium as costlier Lexus fashions.
Like different LBX fashions, this one consists of a big 9.8-inch infotainment show that sits neatly within the middle of the dashboard and helps wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Nonetheless, as with different fashions from the Toyota group we’ve examined, the system doesn’t all the time join seamlessly to your smartphone. The native software program can be very primary.
Photographs Brad Anderson/Carscoops
Elsewhere, Lexus has added a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a head-up show, whereas additionally equipping the Morizo RR with a superb 13-speaker Harmon Kardon audio system. There’s additionally loads of Alcantara discovered all through, pink distinction stitching, and far more soft-touch surfaces than both the GR Yaris or GR Corolla.
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However just like the Yaris, the LBX Morizo RR is finest suited to two adults up entrance and a few youngsters within the again. Rear-seat area is cramped, with legroom in notably brief provide. The entrance seats could not look as sporty as these within the GR fashions, however they provide simply as a lot assist, with beneficiant bolstering and full electrical adjustment, not like the Corolla’s handbook setup.
What’s It Like To Drive?
Photographs Brad Anderson/Carscoops
Previous to my week with the LBX Morizo RR, I used to be slightly anxious that it will really feel the identical because the Corolla, however with a nicer inside and a extra fascinating badge. A lot to my shock, it has its personal distinctive character, though it might’t fairly match the driving thrills of the 2 Toyotas.
In a straight line, the Morizo RR feels simply as fast because the GR Corolla, although it doesn’t fairly match the tempo of the smaller, lighter Yaris. Toyota claims a 0–100 km/h (62 mph) time of 5.2 seconds, however the most effective I managed was a pair of 5.49-second runs. That’s solely a tenth slower than my quickest time within the GR Corolla auto beneath comparable situations and greater than sufficient to place a smile in your face.
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The Morizo RR proved to be barely faster than the GR Corolla at a roll. It could possibly run from 60 – 120 km/h (37 – 75 mph) in 4.51 seconds, which was truly faster than the 4.7-second run I recorded within the Corolla. Evidently, the facility discrepancy has little impression on the Lexus’s efficiency.
Toyota’s glorious 1.6-liter turbocharged three-cylinder brings with it a novel character not like any of the two.0-liter turbocharged four-pots you’ll discover in most rivals. Sadly, it’s a little quieter within the LBX, little doubt partially due to the brand new particulate filter. Nonetheless, you may hear some whistles from the turbocharger, and it does have a beautiful guttural growl at low revs.
The most important distinction between the Morizo RR and the GR fashions is within the dealing with division. It rides barely softer than these fashions and sits slightly greater, leading to extra physique roll via the corners. Which may be a foul factor in case you’re chasing lap instances, however on public roads, the Lexus is each bit as enjoyable to drive because the market’s main scorching hatches.
Outfitted with a set of sticky Continental SportContact7 tires, the pint-sized Lexus can take tight bends at ridiculous speeds. In case you’re feeling courageous, you may pin the throttle via tight bends, and this factor simply sticks, with no trace of understeer or oversteer. It stays poised and drama-free, no matter what you throw at it.
No Rally Automotive Vibes
Sadly, it’s not as playful because the Toyotas. That is primarily as a result of the all-wheel drive system isn’t as configurable. When left in commonplace mode, it’ll cut up energy 75:25 front-to-rear, however can ship as much as 50 % of energy to the rear if it sees match. In case you’re looking for the last word in efficiency, it may be locked right into a 50:50 front-to-rear mode.
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The Toyota fashions have accessible 60:40 and 53:47 modes, in addition to a Monitor setting that varies between 60:40 and 30:70. This implies the LBX can’t be set as much as tail-happy just like the GRs. Moreover, it lacks the bodily handbrakes of these fashions, so that you gained’t be doing any drifts both. There’s additionally no limited-slip differential on the entrance axle, and as an alternative, just one on the rear.
The eight-speed auto looks like the proper gearbox for the hotted-up Lexus. Whereas some lovers most likely would have liked to see a handbook provided, Toyota’s new auto supplies snappy gear modifications whereas remaining refined at decrease speeds. The steering can be spot-on.
For homeowners not happy with the automobile’s commonplace soundtrack, there are three totally different sound profiles hidden throughout the infotainment show that assist make the Morizo RR slightly extra raucous. Normally, I don’t like these programs, as they sound pretend and obtrusive.
Whereas all of the sounds added within the LBX are pretend, credit score the place credit score’s due, Lexus has made them sound genuine. It even performs some exhaust burbles via the audio system, so you may get pleasure from some additional noise with out disturbing your neighbors.
Verdict
On the finish of the day, Lexus must be applauded for making the LBX Morizo RR. Not solely does it carefully match the driving thrills of the Toyota fashions it shares its powertrain with, nevertheless it does so in a barely extra refined approach.
I don’t doubt that some efficiency automobile patrons turned off by the boy-racer styling of the GR Yaris and GR Corolla may gravitate towards the LBX as an alternative. It’s not low cost, however the inside alone feels simply well worth the AU$6,000 ($4,000) premium over the Corolla, so it doesn’t come throughout as overpriced.
Would I like to see a full-fat, rally-inspired spec LBX with the identical mechanical occasion tips because the GR twins? Completely. However for now, that is an sudden and relatively charming detour from Lexus, and one which drives in addition to it appears to be like.
