Imagine wanting something so badly that you're willing to wait a whole year to get it, and pay a premium price on top of that! That's the reality for Australian car enthusiasts eager to get their hands on the Lexus LBX Morizo RR. This hot little hatch, essentially a luxurious and performance-tuned sibling to the Toyota GR Yaris, has completely sold out its first year's allocation in Australia.
Despite a drive-away price nudging a hefty $85,000, demand has massively outstripped supply. Lexus Australia CEO John Pappas confirmed the frenzy, stating, "The LBX's latest addition, the Morizo edition, has literally sold out, and now we're trying to fight for stock." Only around 100 units were initially earmarked for the Australian market for the first 12 months following its May launch. But here's where it gets controversial... some argue that Lexus deliberately limited the initial allocation to create buzz and exclusivity around the Morizo RR, fueling demand even further. What do you think?
Lexus is scrambling to secure more cars to shorten the waiting list. "We've got a big backlog of customers that we're trying to get stock for, so we can try and reduce that lead time for them, but [it's] very popular and it's only been around a very short time. We've already pretty much taken up all our stock, and now we've already got a 12-month delay [order bank]," Pappas explained. While the exact number of LBX Morizo RR vehicles allocated to Australia for the second year remains unclear, expectations are for similarly limited stock, given its global status as a low-volume, specialized performance car.
And this is the part most people miss... the long wait isn't deterring buyers. Pappas attributes this to the car's unique character. "It's a real passion product," he stated, emphasizing the absence of direct rivals offering a similar blend of luxury and performance in a compact SUV package. To manage customer expectations during the extended wait, Lexus is relying on strong communication through its dealer network. Regular "town hall" meetings keep dealers informed about production updates, enabling them to provide accurate information to waiting customers. "We hold a lot of town halls [meetings] with our dealers very regularly; they're kept abreast as to what's going on, and then they can clearly communicate to the people that are waiting for an LBX Morizo," Pappas noted. The positive feedback from the market further reinforces customer enthusiasm for the car.
The LBX Morizo RR commands a premium price. The automatic-only model starts at $76,490 plus on-road costs, a significant $13,500 premium over the Toyota GR Yaris GTS auto. This puts it in competition with a small selection of performance-oriented SUVs, including the Volkswagen T-Roc R (starting at $64,990 plus on-roads) and the Mercedes-AMG GLA35 (starting from $99,000 plus on-roads).
Under the hood, the Morizo RR boasts a 206kW/390Nm version of the 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine, originally featured in the GR Yaris. While detuned from 221kW/400Nm to meet stricter emissions standards, it still delivers impressive performance. The engine is paired with a variable all-wheel-drive system and an eight-speed automatic transmission. A six-speed manual version available in Japan is sadly not offered in Australia. The lack of a manual option has sparked some debate among enthusiasts. Some question why Lexus chose to offer only an automatic transmission in Australia, while others argue that the automatic enhances the car's overall usability.
So, would you be willing to wait a year and pay a premium for the Lexus LBX Morizo RR? Does the allure of a luxurious and high-performance compact SUV justify the cost and the wait? And do you think Lexus should have offered a manual transmission option in Australia? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
