Verdict
At RM238,888 against RM198,000, the Lexus LBX asks RM40,888 more for a petrol-hybrid B-segment SUV with a 315-litre boot, eight airbags and a powered tailgate. The Toyota Urban Cruiser is the sharper buy for a Malaysian household able to charge: its 61.1-kWh battery claims 426 km of EV range, while its 172-hp motor reaches 100 km/h in 8.7 seconds. The LBX counters with dual-zone climate control, rear air vents and a slightly larger boot, but the Urban Cruiser’s 2,700-mm wheelbase and 40:20:40 sliding rear seat make it the more practical cabin package.
Pick the Lexus LBX if you want petrol-hybrid running, eight airbags, dual-zone air-con with rear vents and a powered boot.
Pick the Toyota Urban Cruiser if you can charge at home or work and want 426 km of claimed EV range, quicker acceleration and a longer-wheelbase cabin for less money.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus LBX RM238,888; Toyota Urban Cruiser RM198,000.
- Powertrain: Lexus LBX 1,490-cc petrol hybrid with a 93-hp, 185-Nm motor; Toyota Urban Cruiser 172-hp, 193-Nm electric motor.
- 0-100 km/h: Lexus LBX 9.6 seconds; Toyota Urban Cruiser 8.7 seconds.
- Wheelbase: Lexus LBX 2,580 mm; Toyota Urban Cruiser 2,700 mm.
- Boot space: Lexus LBX 315 litres; Toyota Urban Cruiser 306 litres.
- Wheels: Lexus LBX 17-inch alloys with 215/60R17 tyres; Toyota Urban Cruiser 18-inch alloys with 225/55R18 tyres.
LBX
- 315-litre boot, 9 litres larger than the Urban Cruiser's
- Eight airbags and a powered tailgate
- Dual-zone climate control, nanoe ioniser and rear air vents
- RM40,888 more expensive
- 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time versus 8.7 seconds
- 2,580-mm wheelbase and torsion-beam rear suspension versus 2,700 mm and multi-link
Urban Cruiser
- 61.1-kWh battery with 426 km claimed EV range
- 172 hp and 193 Nm; 8.7-second 0-100 km/h time
- 40:20:40 sliding rear seat, 360-degree camera and 9-speaker JBL audio
- 306-litre boot is 9 litres smaller
- Seven airbags versus the LBX's eight
- Manual tailgate instead of a powered boot
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM238,888 | RM198,000✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120 | RM120 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 12-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated, Atkinson cycle with variable valve timing | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,490 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 90 hp at 5,500 rpm | — |
| Torque | 120 Nm at 3,600 rpm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 3 | — |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Electric |
| Bore × Stroke | 80.5 mm × 97.6 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | — |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 93 hp | 172 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 185 Nm | 193 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | — | 61.1 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 426 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 7 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 67 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | eCVT Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | E-CVT | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.6 seconds | 8.7 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 170 km/h✓ | 150 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,190 mm | 4,285 mm |
| Width | 1,825 mm | 1,800 mm |
| Height | 1,550 mm | 1,635 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,580 mm | 2,700 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,788 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 36 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 315 litres✓ | 306 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/60R17 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/60R17 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Dunlop Enasave ECC300+ | MRF Wanderer Ecotred |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | India (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion beam | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Cushion Bag) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| 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 for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, Pre-collision Braking |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding & Sliding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with nanoe Ioniser | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | — |
| Sunroof | — | Front Sunroof |
| Power Sockets | 4 USB-C Ports, 2 12V sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 9.8" Multimedia Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System | 10.1" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 9-speaker JBL 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 Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| 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 for Battery, Inverter and PCU |
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 & Urban Cruiser for sale
LBX vs Urban Cruiser FAQ
Is the Lexus LBX or Toyota Urban Cruiser better?
The Toyota Urban Cruiser is the better pick if charging is available, because it costs less, has 426 km of claimed EV range and reaches 100 km/h 0.9 seconds sooner. Choose the Lexus LBX for its petrol-hybrid powertrain, extra airbag and more complete climate-control setup.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus LBX costs RM40,888 more than the Toyota Urban Cruiser. The gap brings a powered tailgate, eight airbags, dual-zone climate control with rear vents, navigation and a 315-litre boot, but not quicker acceleration or a longer wheelbase.
Which has the better charging and battery cover?
Only the Toyota Urban Cruiser needs external charging: it has a 61.1-kWh battery, 7-kW AC charging and 67-kW DC charging. Its battery, inverter and PCU have an eight-year unlimited-mileage warranty; the LBX hybrid battery also has eight-year unlimited-mileage cover.
