Alfa Romeo Junior vs Lexus LBX
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
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Price Breakdown
The Alfa Romeo Junior starts from $45,900 before on-road costs, while the Lexus LBX opens at $47,550. That makes the Alfa Romeo Junior the more affordable entry point by $1,650.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $50,490 and $52,305 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs are nearly identical since both have similar efficiency.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
The Alfa Romeo Junior features a 10.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the Lexus LBX gets a 9.8-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Alfa Romeo Junior stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless charging, power tailgate and ambient lighting that you will not find on the Lexus LBX. The Lexus LBX counters with Apple CarPlay. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Alfa Romeo Junior gets cloth upholstery while the Lexus LBX offers synthetic leather. Climate control is 1-zone in the Alfa Romeo Junior and 2-zone in the Lexus LBX.
Drivetrain
The Alfa Romeo Junior uses a Petrol MHEV producing 107kW and 230Nm of torque, sent through a dct to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.9 seconds.
The Lexus LBX responds with a Hybrid making 100kW and 185Nm, paired to a cvt driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9.2 seconds.
The Alfa Romeo Junior has the clear power advantage at 107kW vs 100kW. In the real-world sprint, the Alfa Romeo Junior is 0.3s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Alfa Romeo Junior measures 4,170mm long on a 2,557mm wheelbase, 20mm shorter than the Lexus LBX at 4,190mm (2,580mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Lexus LBX generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 415L in the Alfa Romeo Junior and 402L in the Lexus LBX, giving the Alfa Romeo Junior a 13L advantage.
For towing, the Alfa Romeo Junior leads with a 500kg braked capacity vs 400kg. That 100kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.4m to 10.8m
Based on 10.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 10.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,169/year for the Alfa Romeo Junior and $1,083/year for the Lexus LBX. That is a $86 annual difference in favour of the Lexus LBX.
Estimated annual total: $1,169 (Alfa Romeo Junior) vs $1,083 (Lexus LBX). The Lexus LBX saves you roughly $86 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 150,000km (Alfa Romeo Junior) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Lexus LBX). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Alfa Romeo Junior if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer Alfa Romeo's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Lexus LBX if: You want lower running costs, or prefer Lexus's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Alfa Romeo Junior takes 5 of 6 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Lexus LBX will save you roughly $86 a year in fuel. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Alfa Romeo Junior and Lexus LBX?
The Alfa Romeo Junior is the cheapest at $45,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Lexus LBX by $1,650.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Lexus LBX uses the least fuel at 3.8L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Lexus LBX all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Alfa Romeo Junior has the largest boot at 415L.
Which is the most powerful?
The Alfa Romeo Junior makes the most power at 107kW. The Alfa Romeo Junior is quickest to 100km/h in 8.9s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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