Verdict
At RM325,800, the BMW X3 costs RM86,912 more than the RM238,888 Lexus LBX, but it is a much larger five-seat SUV: 4,755 mm long with a 570-litre boot, against 4,190 mm and 315 litres. Its 188 hp, 310 Nm turbo mild-hybrid powertrain, all-wheel drive and 8.5-second 0-100 km/h time give it a clear performance edge. The LBX counters with RM120 annual road tax versus RM439, a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty and an eight-year hybrid-battery warranty. For Malaysian buyers, this is space and pace versus lower entry and running costs.
Pick the BMW X3 if you need 570 litres of boot space, all-wheel drive and the quicker 8.5-second 0-100 km/h sprint.
Pick the Lexus LBX if RM86,912 less upfront, RM120 annual road tax and five-year unlimited-mileage warranty matter more than size and speed.
Key differences
- Price: BMW X3 RM325,800; Lexus LBX RM238,888.
- Power and torque: BMW X3 188 hp and 310 Nm; Lexus LBX 90 hp and 120 Nm petrol engine, plus a 93 hp and 185 Nm motor.
- Performance: BMW X3 0-100 km/h in 8.5 seconds and 215 km/h; Lexus LBX 9.6 seconds and 170 km/h.
- Size and boot: BMW X3 4,755 mm long with 570 litres; Lexus LBX 4,190 mm with 315 litres.
- Driveline and transmission: BMW X3 all-wheel drive with eight-speed automatic; Lexus LBX front-wheel drive with eCVT.
- Warranty and road tax: BMW X3 two years/unlimited mileage and RM439 yearly; Lexus LBX five years/unlimited mileage and RM120 yearly.
X3
- 188 hp and 310 Nm with an 8.5-second 0-100 km/h time.
- All-wheel drive and eight-speed Steptronic automatic.
- 570-litre boot, 360-degree camera, auto parking and head-up display.
- Costs RM86,912 more than the Lexus LBX.
- Annual road tax is RM439 versus RM120.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus five years for the Lexus LBX.
LBX
- RM86,912 lower purchase price and RM120 annual road tax.
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty plus eight-year unlimited-mileage hybrid-battery warranty.
- Driver’s memory seat, 64-colour ambient lighting and four USB-C ports.
- 315-litre boot is 255 litres smaller than the BMW X3’s.
- 0-100 km/h takes 9.6 seconds, 1.1 seconds slower than the BMW X3.
- Front-wheel drive and a torsion-beam rear suspension versus the BMW X3’s all-wheel drive and multi-link rear suspension.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM325,800 | RM238,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM439 | RM120✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing and mild hybrid assistance | 12-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated, Atkinson cycle with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,490 cc |
| Horsepower | 188 hp✓ | 90 hp |
| Torque | 310 Nm✓ | 120 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | — | 80.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 14 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 93 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 185 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | eCVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Steptronic | E-CVT |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.5 seconds✓ | 9.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 215 km/h✓ | 170 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,755 mm | 4,190 mm |
| Width | 1,920 mm | 1,825 mm |
| Height | 1,660 mm | 1,550 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,865 mm | 2,580 mm |
| Fuel Tank | — | 36 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 570 litres✓ | 315 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/50R19 | 215/60R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/50R19 | 215/60R17 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 Q | Dunlop Enasave ECC300+ |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Torsion beam |
| Front Wheels | 19" Y-spoke M Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Y-spoke M Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Cushion Bag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with nanoe Ioniser |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 4 USB-C Ports, 2 12V sockets |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 6 Speaker | 9.8" Multimedia Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year, unlimited mileage warranty on hybrid battery |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used X3 & LBX for sale
X3 vs LBX FAQ
Is the BMW X3 or Lexus LBX better?
The BMW X3 is better for outright space, performance and driving hardware, with 570 litres of luggage room, 188 hp, 310 Nm and all-wheel drive. The Lexus LBX is the better lower-cost choice, with lower road tax and longer manufacturer warranty coverage.
What is the price difference?
The BMW X3 costs RM325,800 and the Lexus LBX costs RM238,888, so the BMW costs RM86,912 more.
Which has the better warranty coverage?
The Lexus LBX has the longer standard warranty at five years with unlimited mileage, versus two years with unlimited mileage for the BMW X3. It also includes an eight-year, unlimited-mileage warranty for its hybrid battery.
