Verdict
These Lexus SUVs serve very different Malaysian use cases. At RM238,888, the LBX is RM191,000 cheaper, uses a 1.5-litre petrol-hybrid system and carries RM120 annual road tax; its 4,190 mm length also makes it 615 mm shorter than the RZ. The RM429,888 RZ is the EV choice, with two motors, 308 hp, 435 Nm, a 71.4 kWh battery and 440 km range. It is far quicker at 5.3 seconds to 100 km/h, but its RM335 road tax and charging requirement need to suit your routine.
Pick the Lexus LBX if you want the far lower RM238,888 entry price, a compact 4,190 mm footprint and petrol-hybrid flexibility.
Pick the Lexus RZ if you can use EV charging and want 308 hp, all-wheel drive, 440 km range and a substantially roomier 522-litre boot.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus LBX RM238,888; Lexus RZ RM429,888.
- Powertrain: LBX has a 90 hp 1.5-litre petrol engine and 93 hp motor; RZ has two motors producing 308 hp.
- Performance: LBX reaches 100 km/h in 9.6 seconds; RZ does it in 5.3 seconds.
- Range/energy: LBX has a 36-litre fuel tank; RZ has a 71.4 kWh battery and 440 km EV range.
- Size and luggage: LBX is 4,190 mm long with a 315-litre boot; RZ is 4,805 mm long with a 522-litre boot.
- Road tax: LBX costs RM120 per year; RZ costs RM335 per year.
LBX
- RM191,000 cheaper to buy.
- Shorter 4,190 mm body suits tighter parking spaces.
- Higher 170 km/h top speed than the RZ's 160 km/h.
- 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time trails the RZ by 4.3 seconds.
- 315-litre boot is 207 litres smaller.
- Front-wheel drive instead of all-wheel drive.
RZ
- 308 hp and 435 Nm from two motors.
- 440 km EV range, with 11 kW AC and 150 kW DC charging.
- 522-litre boot, surround-view camera and auto parking.
- Costs RM191,000 more than the LBX.
- RM335 annual road tax is RM215 higher.
- At 4,805 mm long, it is 615 mm longer to park than the LBX.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM238,888✓ | RM429,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM335 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 12-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated, Atkinson cycle with variable valve timing | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,490 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 90 hp | — |
| Torque | 120 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Electric |
| Bore | 80.5 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | — |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | 93 hp | 308 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 185 Nm | 435 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | — | 71.4 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 440 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 150 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | eCVT Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | E-CVT | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.6 seconds | 5.3 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 170 km/h✓ | 160 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,190 mm | 4,805 mm |
| Width | 1,825 mm | 1,895 mm |
| Height | 1,550 mm | 1,635 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,580 mm | 2,850 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,125 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 36 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 315 litres | 522 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/60R17 | 235/50R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/60R17 | 235/50R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Dunlop Enasave ECC300+ | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion beam | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 20" Aluminium in Black and Bright Machined Finish |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 20" Aluminium in Black and Bright Machined Finish |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack And Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Cushion Bag | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| 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 on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | Bi-LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam and Sequential Indicators |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED with Sequential Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | 10-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with nanoe Ioniser | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with Lexus Climate Concierge |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Power Sockets | 4 USB-C Ports, 2 12V sockets | 1 Front, 3 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 9.8" Multimedia Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System | 14" EMV Touchscreen with Bluetooth, Navigation, Voice Recognition, Wired Android Auto, Wireless Apple CarPlay and 12-speaker Lexus Premium 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 Start | Keyless Push Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation (with Smart Card Key) |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with Surround View Camera |
| 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 Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year, unlimited mileage warranty on hybrid battery | 8-year, unlimited mileage warranty on EV 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 LBX & RZ for sale
LBX vs RZ FAQ
Is the Lexus LBX or Lexus RZ better?
The RZ is better for outright performance, EV range, boot space and all-wheel drive. The LBX is the more rational choice if RM238,888, a 4,190 mm body and petrol-hybrid operation suit your daily driving better.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus RZ costs RM429,888 and the Lexus LBX costs RM238,888, so the RZ is RM191,000 more expensive.
Can the Lexus RZ cover 440 km without charging?
The RZ has a quoted 440 km EV range from its 71.4 kWh battery. It supports AC charging at up to 11 kW and DC charging at up to 150 kW.
