Verdict
The Lexus RX costs RM468,888 to the Toyota Vellfire’s RM448,000, but the RM20,888 gap brings 275 hp, 430 Nm and all-wheel drive against 180 hp, 235 Nm and front-wheel drive. Its 7.6-second 0-100 km/h time gives the RX a clear performance case. The Vellfire answers with seven seats, a 3,000 mm wheelbase and power sliding doors, where the RX has five seats and a 2,850 mm wheelbase. For Malaysian families carrying six or seven, the MPV is the practical choice; for five occupants wanting stronger performance, take the RX.
Pick the Lexus RX if 275 hp, 430 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 612-litre boot matter more than having seven seats.
Pick the Toyota Vellfire if you need seven seats, a 3,000 mm wheelbase and power sliding doors for regular family or chauffeured use.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus RX RM468,888; Toyota Vellfire RM448,000.
- Power and torque: Lexus RX 275 hp and 430 Nm; Toyota Vellfire 180 hp and 235 Nm.
- Driven wheels: Lexus RX all-wheel drive; Toyota Vellfire front-wheel drive.
- Seating: Lexus RX 5 seats; Toyota Vellfire 7 seats.
- Boot space: Lexus RX 612 litres; Toyota Vellfire 510 litres.
- Wheelbase: Lexus RX 2,850 mm; Toyota Vellfire 3,000 mm.
RX
- 275 hp and 430 Nm from its 2.4-litre turbo petrol engine.
- All-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic.
- 612-litre boot, 102 litres larger than the Vellfire’s.
- RM20,888 more expensive.
- Five seats versus the Vellfire’s seven.
- No power sliding doors, rear sunshades or rear panoramic glass roof.
Vellfire
- Seven seats with ottoman captain’s chairs in the middle row.
- Power sliding doors with soft-close and anti-pinch functions.
- Longer 3,000 mm wheelbase and dual-zone rear air-conditioning.
- 95 hp and 195 Nm down on the RX.
- Front-wheel drive instead of all-wheel drive.
- 510-litre boot is 102 litres smaller than the RX’s.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM468,888 | RM448,000✓ |
| Body type | SUV | MPV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM754✓ | RM835 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC Direct and Port injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,393 cc | 2,494 cc |
| Horsepower | 275 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ | 180 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 430 Nm at 1,700 rpm✓ | 235 Nm at 4,100 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 87.5 mm × 99.5 mm | 90 mm × 98 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | 9.8 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-Speed Direct Shift | 7-speed Super CVT-i with Sports Sequential Shiftmatic |
| Gears | 8 | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Toyota |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.6 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | — | 9.1 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | — | 170 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,890 mm | 5,005 mm |
| Width | 1,920 mm | 1,850 mm |
| Height | 1,695 mm | 1,950 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,850 mm | 3,000 mm |
| Weight | 1,914 kg | 2,105 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 68 litres | 60 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 612 litres✓ | 510 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R21 | 225/55R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R21 | 225/55R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza 001 | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 060 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbone |
| Front Wheels | 21" Multi-spoke Alloy with Hyper Chrome Metallic Machined Finish | 19" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Multi-spoke Alloy with Hyper Chrome Metallic Machined Finish | 19" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee) | 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 | 5 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 |
| Safety Notes | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projector | LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 10-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Heated and Ventilated | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function, Ventilated |
| Rear Seats | Power Folding and Recline, 40:20:40 Split-folding, Heated and Ventilated | 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 | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | 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 (64 Colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | — | Powered Rear Sun Shades, Powered Panoramic Roof Shades |
| Audio | 14" EMV Touchscreen with Bluetooth, Navigation, Voice Recognition, Wired Android Auto, Wireless Apple CarPlay and 12-speaker Lexus Premium Sound System | 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 | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera and 3D Function | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | — | 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 |
| Convenience Notes | Qi Wireless Charger | — |
| 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 RX & Vellfire for sale
RX vs Vellfire FAQ
Is the Lexus RX or Toyota Vellfire better?
The RX is better for performance, with 275 hp, 430 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 7.6-second 0-100 km/h time. The Vellfire is better for carrying people, with seven seats, a longer 3,000 mm wheelbase and power sliding doors.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus RX costs RM20,888 more than the Toyota Vellfire. That extra money buys 95 hp more, 195 Nm more torque, all-wheel drive, an eight-speed automatic and a 612-litre boot.
Which carries more people and luggage?
The Vellfire carries more people with seven seats against five in the RX. The RX carries more luggage behind its seats, with 612 litres versus 510 litres in the Vellfire.
