Verdict
The EC40 is 62% more powerful, the EC40 has a 24% bigger boot, while the LBX is about 4% cheaper. Weigh that against the equipment each side gives you in the table below.
What the LBX has over the EC40
What the EC40 has over the LBX
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The EC40's wheelbase is 122 mm longer, which usually translates to more rear legroom. The EC40 is 48 mm wider — more shoulder room, but a tighter fit in parking bays. Boot space favours the EC40: 413 litres against 315.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM238,888✓ | RM248,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM220 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM2,440/mo✓ | RM2,540/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM6,491✓ | RM6,719 |
| Fuel or electricity / year (est.) | — | RM1,275 |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | — | RM6.37 |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | — | RM41,068 |
| Charging (estimated) | ||
| AC charge 0–100% (est.) | — | 6.4 hours |
| DC charge 10–80% (est.) | — | 25 min |
| 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 | 235 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 185 Nm | 420 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | — | 70 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 488 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 200 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | eCVT Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | E-CVT | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Volvo |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.6 seconds | 7.3 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 170 km/h | 180 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,190 mm | 4,440 mm |
| Width | 1,825 mm | 1,873 mm |
| Height | 1,550 mm | 1,582 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,580 mm | 2,702 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,185 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 36 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 315 litres | 413 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/60R17 | 235/50R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/60R17 | 255/45R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Dunlop Enasave ECC300+ | Continental EcoContact 6 VOL |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | — | 24 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | — | 20 inch |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion beam | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 19" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 19" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Sports Chassis |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| 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 | Electronic 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 2 Outer Rear 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 | LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split Fold |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with nanoe Ioniser | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Fixed Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 4 USB-C Ports, 2 12V sockets | 1x 12V in front, 2x USB-C front, 2x USB-C rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| 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 | 9" Portrait Android Automotive OS Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto |
| 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 (Depress Brake to Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Entry |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | No |
| 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/160,000 km Battery Warranty |
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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Electricity at RM0.44/kWh (TNB domestic, home charging); public DC charging costs around RM1.30/kWh. Charging times estimated from battery capacity and peak charging rates. Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked November 2026.
Used LBX & EC40 for sale
Our reviews & guides
LBX vs EC40 FAQ
How long does charging take?
The EC40's 70.0 kWh battery takes about 6.4 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 25 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 200 kW peak.
Which one is locally assembled?
The EC40 is assembled in Malaysia (CKD), while the LBX is fully imported (CBU) from Japan. Local assembly generally helps pricing and spare-parts supply, and CKD programmes usually signal a longer-term commitment to the model here.
