24h in Madrid with Lexus LBX
It all began the moment I landed in Madrid — 24 hours with Lexus ahead of me and the promise of something more than just a test drive. From the very beginning, it was clear this wouldn’t be a typical automotive event, but rather a journey through the senses, design, and emotion — an exploration of what modern luxury truly means.
At The Madrid Edition, where we stayed, the experience began in true Lexus style: sophisticated, understated, and meticulously planned. The LBX was displayed in front of the hotel for all to admire — an impressive installation that drew glances and photos from passersby. Its presence was commanding but never ostentatious; elegant and full of personality, perfectly at home in the heart of Madrid.
That first evening unfolded like an introduction to the brand’s world. A workshop dedicated to touch invited us to experience the connection between material, craftsmanship, and emotion — how textures and finishes can shape perception. Lexus designers shared how Colour, Material, and Finish (CMF) form the emotional language of every car, creating harmony between innovation and tradition.
As the sun set, a cocktail gathering on the rooftop brought everyone together, the Madrid skyline glowing around us — the perfect prelude to dinner and the beginning of our sensory immersion.
The next morning, we finally had the chance to get behind the wheel of the Lexus LBX. The drive through Madrid and its scenic outskirts was effortless — smooth, precise, and intuitively connected. The kind of comfort that feels tailor-made. Inside, every detail reflected Lexus’s philosophy of Omotenashi, the Japanese art of hospitality, and Takumi craftsmanship, where precision and emotion coexist. It’s a kind of luxury that doesn’t need to announce itself; it’s simplyfelt.
Our second day continued with two more sensorial experiences. Surrounded by nature at Finca El Gasco — one of the filming locations of the acclaimed series Money Heist — we explored the sense of smell with fragrance experts from Givaudan.
They spoke about how scent influences emotion and memory, and how Lexus and Givaudan have co-created an exclusive bamboo accord inspired by the forests of Japan. The fragrance embodies calm, purity, and sustainability — designed to bring balance and serenity to every drive. It’s more than a fragrance; it’s an atmosphere.
Our final stop was Villa Las Rozas, dedicated to sound. There, we discovered the story behind Lexus’s long-standing collaboration with Mark Levinson — a partnership built on a shared pursuit of perfection.
When the music began, the purity and depth of sound were extraordinary — as if each note had been sculpted in the air around us. Inside the LBX, the 13-speaker Mark Levinson system turns the cabin into a private concert hall, where balance, precision, and warmth merge seamlessly. It’s not just listening — it’s feeling.
After the final workshop, we gathered for lunch — a moment to pause, reflect, and share impressions. The conversation naturally turned to what makes Lexus so distinctive: its ability to merge innovation with tradition, and technology with emotion. The LBX embodies this harmony perfectly. Refined yet approachable, contemporary yet timeless — it redefines what luxury means today.
As we headed back to the airport, I realised that these 24 hours had been about much more than a car. They were about connection — between senses, people, and philosophy. The Lexus LBX doesn’t just transport you through space; it transports you through experience.
