IT'S a holy grail of motor design - building a car that's diddy and manoeuvrable but packs in all the luxury and goodies of a big, prestige model.

Never has there been more incentive for such a car. After all, parking spaces are at a premium and fuel costs - whether electric, petrol or diesel are sky high. But if you're used to high end wheels, you don't want to slum it or go bargain basement.

One of the most recent entries on to the scene is the Lexus LBX, a junior, prestige crossover with the credentials to lure owners of their limos and Chelsea tractors.

Based on the mini SUV, the Toyota Yaris Cross, it was developed to appeal particularly to European tastes, and to younger buyers than your typical Lexus owner. In the modern idiom, it's a full hybrid with ICE power coming from a 1.5-litre, three-cylinder engine which is mated to an automatic CVT gearbox.

Although the base car is a Yaris, none of the body panels are shared, and it drives very differently. With subtle flared wheel arches and an elegantly distinctive nose, it succeeds - to our eyes - in looking a cut above average and more than a little posh.

It's a similar story in the cabin. Soft touch materials, rounded edges and a neatly incorporated 9.8in touchscreen give the LBX an aura of prestige and classiness rarely found in small cars.

Although it's undoubtedly modern looking, the fascia has ample physical buttons, making the car easy to live with if you're not a digital fan. Spaces in the front is good enough for two large adults, though rear seat room is less generous, especially if the driver and front seats passenger choose to extend their seats.

The boot, however, is deep and well shaped and more capacious than expected, being capable of holding 400 litres of luggage.

With its stiff body structure, bags of soundproofing and clean shape, it's hardly surprising the LBX travels near silently. In fact, it's quieter than many much larger saloons with an almost complete absence of wind noise - a vital quality for a model designed to appeal to luxury car drivers.

It's not especially quick with 62mph coming in around nine seconds. But neither is this slow enough to cause concern. And like most hybrids, power comes in instantly at the prod of the accelerator as the battery power is triggered.

Somewhat irritating, however, is the continuous variable transmission which sounds on the verge of changing up a notch much of the time when accelerating. This one aspect detracts somewhat from the car's relaxed gait and general refinement.

Handling from the front drive design is neat and undramatic with less body roll than you might anticipate from a small luxury saloon. Ride is well damped and nicely controlled, allowing the LBX to cover long distances comfortably and effortlessly.

Driven gently it's easy to squeeze more than 50 miles from a gallon. And even brisk running didn't drive the figure below 40mpg.