Verdict
These are radically different Lexus flagships. The RM1,379,000 LC costs RM151,000 more than the RM1,228,000 LM, but its 4.969-litre V8 makes 470 hp and reaches 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds. The LM instead uses a 2.494-litre hybrid with a 188 hp petrol engine and 180 hp motor, seven seats, rear climate control and power sliding doors. Malaysian running costs matter: annual road tax is RM10,991 for the LC against RM835 for the LM. Pick the LC for the driving hardware; pick the LM to move more people with far lower tax.
LC
Pick the Lexus LC if a 470 hp V8, rear-wheel drive and a 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time matter more than rear-seat space.
LM
Pick the Lexus LM if you need seven seats, power sliding doors and RM835 annual road tax instead of the LC's RM10,991.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus LC RM1,379,000; Lexus LM RM1,228,000.
- Powertrain: LC 4,969 cc V8 with 470 hp and 540 Nm; LM 2,494 cc inline-four hybrid with a 188 hp engine plus 180 hp/270 Nm motor.
- Performance: LC reaches 0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds and tops out at 270 km/h; LM has no quoted 0-100 km/h or top-speed figure.
- Passenger capacity: LC has 4 seats and 2 doors; LM has 7 seats and 5 doors.
- Annual road tax: LC RM10,991; LM RM835.
- Boot space: LC 197 litres; LM 110 litres.
LC
- 470 hp and 540 Nm from a 4.969-litre V8.
- 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time, 270 km/h top speed and rear-wheel drive.
- Eight airbags and a 13-speaker Mark Levinson sound system.
- RM10,991 annual road tax versus RM835 for the LM.
- Four seats and two doors versus the LM's seven seats and five doors.
- No rear air-conditioning, rear sun shades or power sliding doors.
LM
- Seven seats, power sliding doors and power-folding third-row seats.
- 2.494-litre hybrid powertrain with a 180 hp electric motor.
- Rear climate control, rear panoramic roof and surround-view camera.
- 110-litre boot is smaller than the LC's 197 litres.
- Six airbags versus the LC's eight airbags.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM1,379,000 | RM1,228,000✓ |
| Body type | Coupe | MPV |
| Segment | Luxury | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM10,991 | RM835✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 32-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated, Otto/Atkinson Cycle with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated, Atkinson cycle with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 4,969 cc | 2,494 cc |
| Horsepower | 470 hp at 7,100 rpm✓ | 188 hp |
| Torque | 540 Nm at 4,800 rpm✓ | 236 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | V 8 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | 94 mm × 89.5 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 12.3 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 180 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 270 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | eCVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Direct Shift | E-CVT |
| Gears | 10 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.4 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | 8.6 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 270 km/h | — |
| Co2 | 267 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,770 mm | 5,125 mm |
| Width | 1,920 mm | 1,890 mm |
| Height | 1,345 mm | 1,955 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,870 mm | 3,000 mm |
| Weight | 1,965 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 82 litres | 60 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 5 |
| Seats | 4 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 197 litres✓ | 110 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R21 | 225/55R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/35R21 | 225/55R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Potenza S001L Run-flats | Michelin Primacy SUV+ |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 21" Alloy | 19" Multi-spoke Mesh Aluminium Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Alloy | 19" Multi-spoke Mesh Aluminium Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive F Suspension - Sachs | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Front 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 |
| Seat Belts | 4 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on two 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 |
| Safety Notes | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), TPMS | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | 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 | 8-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function, Ventilated and Heated | 18-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Ventilated |
| Rear Seats | — | 40:20:40 Split-folding Middle Row, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row with Power Fold |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with Lexus Climate Concierge |
| Rear Air-con | — | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System with Lexus Climate Concierge |
| Sunroof | — | Rear Panoramic Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front 12-volt, 4 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 4 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | — | Powered rear sun shade and rear door window shades |
| Audio | 10.3" Lexus Premium Audio Remote Touch Controller with 13-speaker Mark Levinson Premium Sound System, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay | 14" Lexus Premium Audio Touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and 10 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, 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 | Active Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Operation | 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 |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 5-year/100,000 km free service | — |
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 LC & LM for sale
LC vs LM FAQ
Is the Lexus LC or Lexus LM better?
The LC is better for outright performance, with 470 hp, rear-wheel drive and a 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time. The LM is better for carrying people, with seven seats, five doors and power sliding doors.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus LC costs RM151,000 more than the Lexus LM.
Which has lower annual road tax?
The Lexus LM does, at RM835 per year. The Lexus LC costs RM10,991 per year in road tax, a RM10,156 difference.
