Verdict
At RM1,379,000, the Lexus LC costs RM1,129,755 more than the RM249,245 Subaru BRZ, and its 470 hp/540 Nm 5.0-litre V8 cuts 0-100 km/h to 4.4 seconds against 6.3 seconds. It also brings a 10-speed automatic, active safety aids and a 13-speaker Mark Levinson system. The BRZ is the more realistic Malaysian sports coupe: 676 kg lighter at 1,289 kg, manual, and with a larger 226-litre boot. Its RM767 annual road tax versus RM10,991 makes the running-cost divide impossible to ignore.
Pick the Lexus LC if you want 470 hp V8 performance, a 10-speed automatic and substantially richer safety and cabin equipment despite the RM1.129 million price gap.
Pick the Subaru BRZ if you want a 1,289-kg rear-wheel-drive manual coupe with a far lower RM249,245 entry price and RM767 annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus LC RM1,379,000; Subaru BRZ RM249,245
- Power and torque: Lexus LC 470 hp and 540 Nm; Subaru BRZ 234 hp and 250 Nm
- 0-100 km/h: Lexus LC 4.4 seconds; Subaru BRZ 6.3 seconds
- Transmission: Lexus LC 10-speed Direct Shift automatic; Subaru BRZ six-speed manual
- Kerb weight: Lexus LC 1,965 kg; Subaru BRZ 1,289 kg
- Annual road tax: Lexus LC RM10,991; Subaru BRZ RM767
LC
- 470 hp and 540 Nm V8, with 4.4-second 0-100 km/h acceleration
- Autonomous braking, collision warning and lane-keeping steering correction
- Heated and ventilated eight-way power front seats plus 13-speaker Mark Levinson audio
- RM1,129,755 pricier and RM10,224 more in annual road tax
- Heavier at 1,965 kg versus 1,289 kg
- 197-litre boot is 29 litres smaller
BRZ
- Six-speed manual and rear-wheel drive
- 676 kg lighter than the LC
- 226-litre boot and 60:40 split-folding rear seats
- 234 hp and 250 Nm trail the LC's 470 hp and 540 Nm
- 6.3-second 0-100 km/h time is 1.9 seconds behind
- No autonomous braking, collision warning or lane-keeping assist
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM1,379,000 | RM249,245✓ |
| Body type | Coupe | Coupe |
| Segment | Luxury | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM10,991 | RM767✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 32-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated, Otto/Atkinson Cycle with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally-aspirated with Direct and Port Injection, Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 4,969 cc | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | 470 hp✓ | 234 hp |
| Torque | 540 Nm✓ | 250 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 94 mm | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 12.3 | 12.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | Direct Shift | — |
| Gears | 10 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Aisin |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.4 seconds✓ | 6.3 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 8.6 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 270 km/h✓ | 226 km/h |
| Co2 | 267 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,770 mm | 4,265 mm |
| Width | 1,920 mm | 1,775 mm |
| Height | 1,345 mm | 1,310 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,870 mm | 2,575 mm |
| Weight | 1,965 kg | 1,289 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 82 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 2 |
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 197 litres | 226 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R21 | 215/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/35R21 | 215/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Potenza S001L Run-flats | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 21" Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive F Suspension - Sachs | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side and Front Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seat Belts | 4 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on two rear passenger seats | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | Front Seats |
| Safety Notes | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), TPMS | Rear Cross Traffic Alert |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| 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 | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | — | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front |
| Audio | 10.3" Lexus Premium Audio Remote Touch Controller with 13-speaker Mark Levinson Premium Sound System, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay | 8" Touchscreen with Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, 8 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Two 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 | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| 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 & BRZ for sale
LC vs BRZ FAQ
Is the Lexus LC or Subaru BRZ better?
The Lexus LC is better for outright pace, automatic cruising and driver-assistance equipment. The Subaru BRZ is the better choice for a manual rear-wheel-drive coupe at RM249,245, with much lower annual road tax and a 676-kg weight advantage.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus LC costs RM1,379,000 and the Subaru BRZ costs RM249,245, a difference of RM1,129,755. The LC also incurs RM10,991 in annual road tax, compared with RM767 for the BRZ.
Which coupe has more practical luggage space?
The Subaru BRZ has the larger 226-litre boot, 29 litres ahead of the Lexus LC's 197 litres. It also has 60:40 split-folding rear seats, while no rear-seat folding function is specified for the LC.
