Verdict
The RM101,912 price gap separates two very different jobs. The BMW 5 Series is a 5,060 mm executive sedan with 208 hp, 330 Nm, rear-wheel drive and a 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time; it also brings a 490-litre boot, 19-inch wheels and rear dual-zone climate control. The Lexus LBX is a far shorter 4,190 mm B-segment SUV, using a 90 hp 1.5-litre hybrid engine and 93 hp motor, and costs far less to tax at RM120 a year. For Malaysian city use, its 2,580 mm wheelbase and 17-inch tyres make a more compact proposition, while the BMW is the long-distance, luggage-friendly choice.
Pick the BMW 5 Series if you want the quicker 208 hp, 330 Nm rear-wheel-drive sedan, a 490-litre boot and rear dual-zone climate control.
Pick the Lexus LBX if you want a compact 4,190 mm SUV with a five-year warranty, an eight-year hybrid-battery warranty and RM120 annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 5 Series RM340,800; Lexus LBX RM238,888.
- Performance: BMW 5 Series 208 hp, 330 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 7.5 seconds; Lexus LBX 90 hp, 120 Nm and 9.6 seconds.
- Size: BMW 5 Series is 5,060 mm long with a 2,900 mm wheelbase; Lexus LBX is 4,190 mm long with a 2,580 mm wheelbase.
- Boot space: BMW 5 Series 490 litres; Lexus LBX 315 litres.
- Driveline and transmission: BMW 5 Series rear-wheel drive with an eight-speed automatic; Lexus LBX front-wheel drive with an eCVT.
- Warranty and road tax: BMW 5 Series has a two-year unlimited-mileage warranty and RM379 road tax; Lexus LBX has a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty and…
5 Series
- 208 hp and 330 Nm, with a 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 490-litre boot and 40:20:40 rear seat split.
- Adaptive high beam, head-up display and 360-degree camera.
- RM101,912 more expensive.
- Two-year warranty versus the Lexus LBX's five years.
- RM379 annual road tax versus RM120.
LBX
- 4,190 mm length is 870 mm shorter than the BMW 5 Series.
- Five-year unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty plus eight-year unlimited-mileage hybrid-battery warranty.
- Seven airbags, including front knee and front cushion bags.
- Slower 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time versus 7.5 seconds.
- 315-litre boot is 175 litres smaller.
- Rear occupants get vents rather than the BMW's rear dual-zone climate control.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM340,800 | RM238,888✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing and mild hybrid assistance | 12-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated, Atkinson cycle with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,490 cc |
| Horsepower | 208 hp✓ | 90 hp |
| Torque | 330 Nm✓ | 120 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 82 mm | 80.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 14 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 93 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 185 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 1.0 kWh |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | eCVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Eight-speed Automatic | E-CVT |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.5 seconds✓ | 9.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 230 km/h✓ | 170 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,060 mm | 4,190 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,825 mm |
| Height | 1,515 mm | 1,550 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,900 mm | 2,580 mm |
| Fuel Tank | — | 36 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres✓ | 315 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | 215/60R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45R19 | 215/60R17 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 | Dunlop Enasave ECC300+ |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Torsion beam |
| Front Wheels | 19" Style-934 Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Style-934 Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Cushion Bag |
| 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 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam | LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Driver Side Memory Settings | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with nanoe Ioniser |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Wireless Charger, 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 4 USB Rear | 4 USB-C Ports, 2 12V sockets |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | — |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 12-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 9.8" Multimedia Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6-speaker 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 Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control with Active Lane keeping assistant and Stop & Go function | Active Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year, unlimited mileage warranty on hybrid battery |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379 | RM120✓ |
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 5 Series & LBX for sale
5 Series vs LBX FAQ
Is the BMW 5 Series or Lexus LBX better?
The BMW 5 Series is better for performance, rear-seat climate control and luggage space, with 208 hp, 7.5-second acceleration and a 490-litre boot. The Lexus LBX is better for a smaller footprint, lower annual road tax and longer vehicle warranty.
What is the price difference?
The BMW 5 Series costs RM340,800 and the Lexus LBX costs RM238,888, so the BMW is RM101,912 more expensive.
Which is more practical for carrying luggage?
The BMW 5 Series carries more luggage, with a 490-litre boot against the Lexus LBX's 315 litres. Its rear seats also split 40:20:40, while the LBX uses a 60:40 split.