Verdict
At RM1,188,000, the Lexus LS costs RM719,112 more than the RM468,888 Lexus RX, and its annual road tax is RM4,133 against RM754. That money brings a 415 hp, 600 Nm twin-turbo V6, rear-drive layout and 5.0-second 0-100 km/h time, versus the RX’s 275 hp, 430 Nm and 7.6 seconds. The RX is the more rational Malaysian daily: it has 612 litres of boot space, five doors and all-wheel drive. But the LS delivers the more serious rear-seat package, with 18-way adjustment, rear touchscreen and dual-zone rear climate control.
The LS LS 500 Executive (Kiriko) (RM1,468,000) sits above every RX variant here, so the verdict compares the closest-priced pairing — use the selectors above to match any two trims.
Pick the Lexus LS if rear-passenger comfort, 415 hp performance and its 18-way rear seats matter more than the RM719,112 price gap.
Pick the Lexus RX if you want all-wheel drive, a 612-litre boot and far lower purchase and road-tax costs.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus LS RM1,188,000; Lexus RX RM468,888
- Power and torque: Lexus LS 415 hp and 600 Nm; Lexus RX 275 hp and 430 Nm
- 0-100 km/h: Lexus LS 5.0 seconds; Lexus RX 7.6 seconds
- Driveline: Lexus LS rear-wheel drive; Lexus RX all-wheel drive
- Boot space: Lexus LS 480 litres; Lexus RX 612 litres
- Annual road tax: Lexus LS RM4,133; Lexus RX RM754
LS
- 415 hp and 600 Nm twin-turbo V6
- 5.0-second 0-100 km/h time and 10-speed automatic
- 18-way rear seats with touchscreen, heating and ventilation
- RM719,112 costlier to buy
- RM4,133 annual road tax versus RM754
- 480-litre boot trails the RX’s 612 litres
RX
- 612-litre boot and five-door SUV body
- All-wheel drive
- RM754 annual road tax
- 275 hp and 430 Nm fall short of the LS
- 7.6-second 0-100 km/h time is 2.6 seconds slower
- Seven airbags versus the LS’s 10
What the LS has over the RX
What the RX has over the LS
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The LS's wheelbase is 275 mm longer, which usually translates to more rear legroom. Boot space favours the RX: 612 litres against 480.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM1,188,000 | RM468,888✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Luxury | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM4,133 | RM754✓ |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM12,130/mo | RM4,785/mo✓ |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM31,266 | RM12,538✓ |
| Fuel / year (est.) | RM3,781 | — |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM18.91 | — |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM195,899 | — |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC, twin-turbocharged with direct fuel injection and variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC Direct and Port injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 3,445 cc | 2,393 cc |
| Horsepower | 415 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ | 275 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 600 Nm at 1,600 rpm✓ | 430 Nm at 1,700 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | V 6 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 85.5 mm × 100 mm | 87.5 mm × 99.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.476 | 11 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 10-Speed Direct Shift | 8-Speed Direct Shift |
| Gears | 10 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Aisin |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5 seconds✓ | 7.6 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 9.5 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,235 mm | 4,890 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,920 mm |
| Height | 1,450 mm | 1,695 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,125 mm | 2,850 mm |
| Weight | 2,155 kg | 1,914 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 82 litres | 68 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 612 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/45RF20 | 235/50R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45RF20 | 235/50R21 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | — | Bridgestone Alenza 001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloy | 21" Multi-spoke Alloy with Hyper Chrome Metallic Machined Finish |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloy | 21" Multi-spoke Alloy with Hyper Chrome Metallic Machined Finish |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) | Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 10 (Driver and Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Side) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee) |
| 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 | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on two outer 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) with Auto Brake and Rear Pedestrian Detection with Auto Brake | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Adaptive LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 28-way Power Adjustable Seats with Memory, Heating, Ventilation and Massage | 10-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Heated and Ventilated |
| Rear Seats | 18-way Power Adjustable Seats with Centre Armrest, Rear Touchscreen, Heating and Ventilation | Power Folding and Recline, 40:20:40 Split-folding, Heated and Ventilated |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System with Lexus Climate Concierge | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with Lexus Climate Concierge |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System with Lexus Climate Concierge | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Rear | 1 Front 12-volt, 4 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Powered Rear Sun Shade and Rear Door Window Shades | — |
| Audio | 12.3" Display with Lexus Remote Touch Controller, Navigation, USB, Bluetooth, WiFi and Pioneer 12-speaker Sound System | 14" EMV Touchscreen with Bluetooth, Navigation, Voice Recognition, Wired Android Auto, Wireless Apple CarPlay and 12-speaker Lexus Premium Sound System |
| 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 Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Panoramic View Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera and 3D Function |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | Soft close function, all doors | — |
| 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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked November 2026.
Used LS & RX for sale
Our reviews & guides
Lexus LS
Lexus RX
LS vs RX FAQ
Is the Lexus LS or Lexus RX better?
The RX is better for practicality and lower running costs, with all-wheel drive and a 612-litre boot. Choose the LS for substantially stronger performance and a far more adjustable, better-equipped rear cabin.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus LS costs RM719,112 more than the Lexus RX. Its annual road tax is also RM3,379 higher, at RM4,133 versus RM754.
Which Lexus is quicker?
The Lexus LS is decisively quicker: its 415 hp, 600 Nm V6 reaches 100 km/h in 5.0 seconds, while the RX’s 275 hp, 430 Nm turbo four takes 7.6 seconds.
