Verdict
The Lexus NX is the more rational five-seat choice: it is RM23,000 cheaper, 585 kg lighter and has a 520-litre boot, 69 litres more than the Volvo XC90’s. Its 4,660 mm length and 1,865 mm width should also be less cumbersome in Malaysian car parks. But the XC90 earns its premium for buyers who need seven seats, a 2,984 mm wheelbase and 249 hp with 350 Nm. Both reach 100 km/h in 7.7 seconds, so the Volvo’s extra output is not reflected in the benchmark sprint.
NX
Pick the Lexus NX if you want the lower-cost, lighter five-seater with the larger 520-litre boot and a 200 km/h top speed.
XC90
Pick the Volvo XC90 if you need seven seats, a much longer 2,984 mm wheelbase and 350 Nm of torque.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus NX RM395,888; Volvo XC90 RM418,888.
- Power and torque: Lexus NX 184 hp and 221 Nm; Volvo XC90 249 hp and 350 Nm.
- Seating and boot space: Lexus NX five seats and 520 litres; Volvo XC90 seven seats and 451 litres.
- Dimensions: Lexus NX is 4,660 mm long on a 2,690 mm wheelbase; Volvo XC90 is 4,950 mm long on a 2,984 mm wheelbase.
- Kerb weight: Lexus NX 1,765 kg; Volvo XC90 2,350 kg.
- Suspension: Lexus NX uses MacPherson struts front and double wishbones rear; Volvo XC90 gets double wishbones front, multi-link rear and air suspension.
NX
- RM23,000 less expensive
- 520-litre boot, versus 451 litres
- 585 kg lighter and 290 mm shorter
- Five seats versus the XC90’s seven
- 184 hp and 221 Nm trail the XC90’s 249 hp and 350 Nm
- Rear air-conditioning is limited to rear vents, versus the XC90’s rear dual-zone climate control
XC90
- Seven-seat cabin with 40:20:40 second row and 50:50 third row
- 249 hp and 350 Nm
- Air suspension and an eight-year/160,000 km hybrid-battery warranty
- RM23,000 more expensive
- 451-litre boot is 69 litres smaller than the NX’s
- 2,350 kg weight is 585 kg heavier, while top speed is 180 km/h versus 200 km/h
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM395,888✓ | RM418,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM830 | RM428✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing and hybrid assistance | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with MHEV Assistance |
| Capacity | 2,487 cc | 1,969 cc |
| Horsepower | 184 hp at 6,000 rpm | 249 hp at 5,400 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 221 Nm at 4,300 rpm | 350 Nm at 1,800 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | 87.5 mm × 103.4 mm | 82 mm × 93.2 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | 10.3 |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 133 hp✓ | 14 hp |
| Motor Torque | 208 Nm✓ | 40 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-Speed Direct Shift | 8-Speed Automatic Transmission with Geartronic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Volvo |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.7 seconds | 7.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,660 mm | 4,950 mm |
| Width | 1,865 mm | 1,958 mm |
| Height | 1,670 mm | 1,776 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,690 mm | 2,984 mm |
| Weight | 1,765 kg | 2,350 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 55 litres | 71 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 520 litres✓ | 451 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R20 | 275/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R20 | 275/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza 001 Run-flats | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbone | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 20" Dark Grey Metallic with Bright Machined Finish Alloy | 20" 5-spoke Black Diamond Cut Black Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Dark Grey Metallic with Bright Machined Finish Alloy | 20" 5-spoke Black Diamond Cut Black Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Electric 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 2 Outer Rear Seats, with Integrated Boosters |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, with Full Auto Brake, Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection |
| 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 | 3 LED Projectors | Dynamic LED Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 8-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function, Ventilated | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Ventilation |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | Second row 40:20:40 Split Folding with integrated booster child seat for the outer seats, Third Row 50:50 |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System with Lexus Climate Concierge | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear | — |
| 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 | — | Manual Rear Door Window Shades, Powered Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 14" Lexus Premium Audio Touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and 10 Speakers | 11.2" Central Display with Android Automotive OS, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Connectivity, Bowers & Wilkins High Fidelity Audio 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 Start | Keyless Knob Twist |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go | Active Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening | Powered Boot, Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Panoramic View Camera | Yes, with 360 Surround View Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Qi Wireless Charger, Smart Card Key | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 km Hybrid Battery Warranty |
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 NX & XC90 for sale
NX vs XC90 FAQ
Is the Lexus NX or Volvo XC90 better?
The Lexus NX is better for a five-seat buyer seeking lower outlay, a larger boot and a smaller footprint. Choose the Volvo XC90 if seven seats, 350 Nm and air suspension matter more than luggage space and price.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo XC90 costs RM23,000 more than the Lexus NX. That gap brings seven seats, air suspension, 249 hp and 350 Nm, but the XC90’s boot is smaller at 451 litres.
Which is more practical for a larger family?
The Volvo XC90 is the clear choice for a larger family because it has seven seats, a 2,984 mm wheelbase and a third row. The Lexus NX is a five-seater, although its 520-litre boot is larger.
