Verdict
The smart #5 is the rationally bigger proposition for a Malaysian household with charging: its 100 kWh battery claims 590 km, DC charging reaches 400 kW and its 630-litre boot suits its 4,705 mm footprint. It is also quicker, hitting 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds against 9.6. The LBX counters as the easier city car: 515 mm shorter, 95 mm narrower, with RM120 annual road tax versus RM455. But the Lexus costs RM29,088 more despite its 315-litre boot. Choose it for compact hybrid ownership and a five-year vehicle warranty; take the smart if charging is realistic.
Pick the Lexus LBX if you want a 4,190 mm-long hybrid SUV that is easier to place in town, with RM120 annual road tax and a five-year unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty.
Pick the smart #5 if you can charge an EV and want 590 km of claimed range, a 630-litre boot and far stronger 358 hp, 373 Nm performance for less money.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus LBX RM238,888; smart #5 RM209,800.
- Performance: Lexus LBX 0-100 km/h in 9.6 seconds and 170 km/h; smart #5 6.5 seconds and 200 km/h.
- Size: Lexus LBX is 4,190 mm long with a 2,580 mm wheelbase; smart #5 is 4,705 mm long with a 2,900 mm wheelbase.
- Boot space: Lexus LBX 315 litres; smart #5 630 litres.
- Energy and road tax: Lexus LBX is a 1.5-litre petrol hybrid at RM120 yearly road tax; smart #5 is a 100 kWh EV at RM455.
- Charging: Lexus LBX has no listed external charging rate; smart #5 supports 22 kW AC and 400 kW DC charging.
LBX
- RM335 lower annual road tax
- 515 mm shorter body for tighter urban spaces
- Five-year unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty
- Costs RM29,088 more
- 315-litre boot is 315 litres smaller
- 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time trails the smart #5 by 3.1 seconds
#5
- 590 km claimed EV range from a 100 kWh battery
- 630-litre boot and sliding 60:40 rear seats
- 400 kW DC charging, V2L and a 360-degree camera
- RM455 annual road tax is RM335 higher
- 4,705 mm length and 1,920 mm width are less city-friendly
- Four-year vehicle warranty is one year shorter
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM238,888 | RM209,800✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM455 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 12-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated, Atkinson cycle with variable valve timing | 800V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,490 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 90 hp | — |
| Torque | 120 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Electric |
| Bore | 80.5 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | — |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 93 hp | 358 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 185 Nm | 373 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | — | 100 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 590 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 22 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 400 kW |
| V2L | — | 3.3 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | eCVT Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | E-CVT | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.6 seconds | 6.5 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 170 km/h | 200 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,190 mm | 4,705 mm |
| Width | 1,825 mm | 1,920 mm |
| Height | 1,550 mm | 1,705 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,580 mm | 2,900 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,260 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 36 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 315 litres | 630 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/60R17 | 255/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/60R17 | 255/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Dunlop Enasave ECC300+ | Continental EcoContact 7 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones |
| 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 Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Cushion Bag | Driver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Electronic 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 Front Passenger Seat, Rear Outer Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, Front and Rear |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam & Auto Levelling |
| 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 | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-fold with Sliding Adjustment |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with nanoe Ioniser | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 4 USB-C Ports, 2 12V sockets | 1 Front, 2 Wireless Chargers, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Powered Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 9.8" Multimedia Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System | 13" Twin AMOLED Touchscreens with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 20-speaker Sennheiser 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 (Depress Brake Pedal) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Highway & Traffic Jam Assist |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Yes, Powered with Kick Sensor |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, With 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | 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 Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year, unlimited mileage warranty on hybrid battery | 8-year/200,000 km Battery Warranty & 8-year/150000 High Voltage Components 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 LBX & #5 for sale
LBX vs #5 FAQ
Is the Lexus LBX or smart #5 better?
The smart #5 is better for space, acceleration, claimed EV range and price, provided charging works for you. The Lexus LBX is better suited to buyers wanting a smaller hybrid SUV, lower RM120 road tax and a longer five-year vehicle warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus LBX costs RM238,888 and the smart #5 costs RM209,800, so the Lexus is RM29,088 more expensive.
Which has the better warranty and battery cover?
The LBX has a five-year unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty and an eight-year unlimited-mileage hybrid battery warranty. The smart #5 has a four-year unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty, plus an eight-year/200,000 km battery warranty.