Verdict
The RM20,000-cheaper Lexus LBX is the easier fit for buyers who want a compact 4,190 mm hybrid SUV with a 36-litre petrol tank, RM120 annual road tax and an eight-airbag count. The MINI Countryman is a much larger electric SUV at 4,433 mm, with 460 litres of boot space against 315 litres, dual motors producing 313 hp and 494 Nm, plus a 432 km EV range. Its RM335 road tax and charging requirement are the trade-offs, but the 5.6-second 0-100 km/h time is in another league from the LBX’s 9.6 seconds.
The Countryman JCW (RM389,888) sits above every LBX variant here, so the verdict compares the closest-priced pairing — use the selectors above to match any two trims.
Pick the Lexus LBX if you want the lower RM238,888 entry price, hybrid petrol flexibility, lower RM120 road tax and eight airbags in a smaller SUV.
Pick the MINI Countryman if you can charge an EV and want 313 hp, all-wheel drive, a 432 km range and substantially more cabin and boot space.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus LBX RM238,888; MINI Countryman RM258,888.
- Powertrain: Lexus LBX 1.5-litre petrol hybrid with one 93 hp/185 Nm motor; MINI Countryman EV with two motors producing 313 hp/494 Nm.
- Performance: Lexus LBX 0-100 km/h in 9.6 seconds and 170 km/h; MINI Countryman 5.6 seconds and 180 km/h.
- Size and boot: Lexus LBX is 4,190 mm long with 315 litres; MINI Countryman is 4,433 mm long with 460 litres.
- Road tax: Lexus LBX RM120 per year; MINI Countryman RM335 per year.
- Safety and parking: Lexus LBX has 8 airbags and four front/rear sensors; MINI Countryman has 6 airbags, six front/rear sensors, 360-degree camera and auto…
LBX
- RM20,000 lower purchase price and RM215 lower annual road tax
- Hybrid petrol powertrain with a 36-litre fuel tank
- Eight airbags, two more than the MINI Countryman
- 315-litre boot is 145 litres smaller
- 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time trails the MINI’s 5.6 seconds
- Front-wheel drive and torsion-beam rear suspension versus all-wheel drive and multi-link rear suspension
Countryman
- 313 hp and 494 Nm from two electric motors, with all-wheel drive
- 432 km EV range, 22 kW AC and 130 kW DC charging capability
- 460-litre boot, 40:20:40 reclining rear seat, 360-degree camera and auto parking
- Costs RM20,000 more upfront
- RM335 annual road tax is RM215 higher
- Six airbags versus the Lexus LBX’s eight
What the LBX has over the Countryman
What the Countryman has over the LBX
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The Countryman's wheelbase is 112 mm longer, which usually translates to more rear legroom. Boot space favours the Countryman: 460 litres against 315.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM238,888✓ | RM258,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM335 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM2,440/mo✓ | RM2,645/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM6,491✓ | RM6,979 |
| Fuel or electricity / year (est.) | — | RM1,368 |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | — | RM6.84 |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | — | RM43,409 |
| Charging (estimated) | ||
| AC charge 0–100% (est.) | — | 3.0 hours |
| DC charge 10–80% (est.) | — | 35 min |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 12-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated, Atkinson cycle with variable valve timing | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,490 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 90 hp at 5,500 rpm | — |
| Torque | 120 Nm at 3,600 rpm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 3 | — |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Electric |
| Bore × Stroke | 80.5 mm × 97.6 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | — |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | 93 hp | 313 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 185 Nm | 494 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | — | 66.5 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 432 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 22 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 130 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | eCVT Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | E-CVT | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.6 seconds | 5.6 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 170 km/h | 180 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,190 mm | 4,433 mm |
| Width | 1,825 mm | 1,843 mm |
| Height | 1,550 mm | 1,656 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,580 mm | 2,692 mm |
| Fuel Tank | 36 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 315 litres | 460 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/60R17 | 245/40R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/60R17 | 245/40R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Dunlop Enasave ECC300+ | Pirelli P Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion beam | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 20" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 20" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Cushion Bag) | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain) |
| 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 belts |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats, Front Passenger Seat |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | Adaptive LED Projector with High Beam Assist |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Powered Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory and Massage Function |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding, Manual Recline |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with nanoe Ioniser | Dual-zone Automatic Climate |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 4 USB-C Ports, 2 12V sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB C, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 9.8" Multimedia Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System | 9.4" OLED Display with MINI OS, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Harman Kardon 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 Start | Keyless Flip Switch |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Tailgate, with Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | — |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | — | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | — | 2 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year, unlimited mileage warranty on hybrid battery | Repair Inclusive extendable up to 5 years, 8-year/160,000 km 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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Electricity at RM0.44/kWh (TNB domestic, home charging); public DC charging costs around RM1.30/kWh. Charging times estimated from battery capacity and peak charging rates. Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked October 2026.
Used LBX & Countryman for sale
Our reviews & guides
Lexus LBX
MINI Countryman
LBX vs Countryman FAQ
Is the Lexus LBX or MINI Countryman better?
The MINI Countryman is better for space, performance and EV capability: it has 313 hp, a 432 km range and a 460-litre boot. The Lexus LBX suits buyers prioritising a RM20,000 lower price, petrol-hybrid operation, lower road tax and eight airbags.
What is the price difference?
The MINI Countryman costs RM258,888, which is RM20,000 more than the RM238,888 Lexus LBX. The MINI adds electric all-wheel drive, 313 hp, a 66.5 kWh battery, 432 km range and a 460-litre boot.
Which has more space, the Lexus LBX or MINI Countryman?
The MINI Countryman is larger in every key exterior measure: 4,433 mm long and 2,692 mm between the wheels, versus 4,190 mm and 2,580 mm for the Lexus LBX. Its boot is also 460 litres, 145 litres larger than the LBX’s 315 litres.
How long does charging take?
The Countryman's 66.5 kWh battery takes about 3.0 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 35 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 130 kW peak.
Which has the better warranty?
The LBX carries a 5-year manufacturer warranty against 2 years for the Countryman. LBX: 8-year, unlimited mileage warranty on hybrid battery. Countryman: Repair Inclusive extendable up to 5 years, 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty.