Verdict
The RM780,000 gap is impossible to ignore. Lexus gives the LM a 188 hp 2.5-litre petrol hybrid system and a 180 hp, 270 Nm motor, plus 18-way ventilated front seats and six front and rear parking sensors. The Vellfire counters with 510 litres of boot space against 110 litres, despite both seating seven on a 3,000 mm wheelbase. Its 180 hp, 235 Nm 2.5-litre petrol drivetrain is less ambitious, but the Toyota is the rational Malaysian choice unless the LM’s hybrid hardware, richer front-seat adjustment and extra parking coverage are decisive.
Pick the Lexus LM if you will pay substantially more for its petrol-hybrid drivetrain, 18-way ventilated front seats and six-sensor front and rear parking assistance.
Pick the Toyota Vellfire if a 510-litre boot and a far lower purchase price matter more than the LM’s hybrid system and extra front-seat adjustment.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus LM RM1,228,000; Toyota Vellfire RM448,000.
- Powertrain: Lexus LM 188 hp 2,494 cc petrol hybrid with one 180 hp/270 Nm motor; Toyota Vellfire 180 hp 2,494 cc petrol engine.
- Boot space: Lexus LM 110 litres; Toyota Vellfire 510 litres.
- Length: Lexus LM 5,125 mm; Toyota Vellfire 5,005 mm.
- Parking sensors: Lexus LM six front and six rear; Toyota Vellfire four front and four rear.
- Audio: Lexus LM 10 speakers; Toyota Vellfire 15-speaker JBL system.
LM
- 188 hp petrol-hybrid system with a 180 hp, 270 Nm motor.
- 18-way power-adjustable, memory-equipped ventilated front seats.
- Six front and six rear parking sensors with surround-view camera.
- RM780,000 more expensive than the Toyota Vellfire.
- 110-litre boot is 400 litres smaller than the Vellfire's.
- At 5,125 mm, it is 120 mm longer than the Vellfire.
Vellfire
- 510-litre boot for seven-seat practicality.
- 15-speaker JBL sound system.
- Front foglamps and a space-saver spare tyre.
- 180 hp and 235 Nm engine trails the Lexus LM's 188 hp petrol unit and 270 Nm motor.
- Four front and four rear parking sensors versus the LM's six at each end.
- Front seats have power adjustment and driver memory, but not the LM's 18-way adjustment.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM1,228,000 | RM448,000✓ |
| Body type | MPV | MPV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM835 | RM835 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated, Atkinson cycle with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,494 cc | 2,494 cc |
| Horsepower | 188 hp✓ | 180 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 236 Nm✓ | 235 Nm at 4,100 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 90 mm × 98 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 9.8 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 180 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 270 Nm | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | eCVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | E-CVT | 7-speed Super CVT-i with Sports Sequential Shiftmatic |
| Gears | — | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Toyota |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | — | 9.1 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | — | 170 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,125 mm | 5,005 mm |
| Width | 1,890 mm | 1,850 mm |
| Height | 1,955 mm | 1,950 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,000 mm | 3,000 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,105 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 60 litres | 60 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 110 litres | 510 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/55R19 | 225/55R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/55R19 | 225/55R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Primacy SUV+ | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 060 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbone |
| Front Wheels | 19" Multi-spoke Mesh Aluminium Alloys | 19" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Multi-spoke Mesh Aluminium Alloys | 19" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, 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 | 7 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on Outer Middle Row Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, TSS Pre-collision Braking (4-120 km/h) with Pedestrian Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam and Sequential Indicators | LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED with Sequential Indicators | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 18-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Ventilated | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function, Ventilated |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding Middle Row, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row with Power Fold | Power Adjustable Ottoman Captain Middle Row Seat, 50:50 Fold-up Last Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with Lexus Climate Concierge | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System with Lexus Climate Concierge | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Rear Panoramic Roof | Fixed Panoramic Glass Roof, Rear |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front 12-volt, 4 Front USB, 2 Rear USB | 2 Front, 1 Console Box, 2 First Row, 2 Second Row |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 4 Last Row | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | Powered rear sun shade and rear door window shades | Powered Rear Sun Shades, Powered Panoramic Roof Shades |
| Audio | 14" Lexus Premium Audio Touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and 10 Speakers | 14" Display Audio with Touch Screen, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Connectivity, 15-speaker JBL Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go, Steering Assist and Curve Speed Reduction |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening | Powered boot with soft close function |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View Camera | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | Power Sliding with Soft-close Function, One-touch Auto Close, Anti-pinch | Power Sliding with Soft-close Function, One-touch Auto Close, Anti-pinch |
| 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 |
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 LM & Vellfire for sale
LM vs Vellfire FAQ
Is the Lexus LM or Toyota Vellfire better?
The Lexus LM is better for hybrid hardware, 18-way ventilated front seats and denser parking-sensor coverage. The Toyota Vellfire is better for luggage space: 510 litres versus 110 litres, while retaining seven seats and the same 3,000 mm wheelbase.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus LM costs RM1,228,000 and the Toyota Vellfire costs RM448,000, a difference of RM780,000.
Which has the larger boot?
The Toyota Vellfire has the much larger boot, at 510 litres. The Lexus LM has 110 litres, so the Toyota carries 400 litres more luggage.
